The Necessary Activities for the Development of Health Scientific Map in Medical Education Field: a study in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, 2011

Each country needs strategies and long-term plans for achieving its objectives. This issue is of a great importance in our country (Iran) as the hope of all world Moslem population. Twenty year vision of the Islamic Republic of Iran along with comprehensive scientific map prepared by experts in different scientific fields can help our country to achieve long-term objectives of the development. The main aim of the present study was to determine sub- activities of medical education fields in health scientific map from the viewpoints of experts in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in 2011. In this qualitative study performed as focus group discussion, eight faculty members of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences were selected based on their professional experience in each of the domains of comprehensive scientific map in health sector. The study was performed in ten sessions in which the required activities and sub-activities in each domain were determined by participants. Then, data were summarized, classified and prioritized for each domain. Based on the experts’ viewpoints the main sub- activities in each domain were as follow: Educational equity: need assessment for human resources and curriculum review. Faculties: revising organizational chart and improving faculties capabilities. Implementing systematic evaluation: evaluation of students and professors based on standards. Improvement of students’ scientific level: implementing a comprehensive encouraging system and social-based education. Developing inter-university collaboration: university independence. Extending knowledge and technology boundaries: implementing evidence-based medicine in the university. Quantitative and qualitative improvement of staff: modifying organizational chart of Vice Chancellor for Education. Implementing clinical governance system: establishing program designing committee based on the 6-item clinical governance principles. Financial: improving budget chart. Continuous programming by University managers is required to set operational planning based on the above mentioned priorities.