The Role of Basic Sciences Education in Professional Competence of Physicians: a study on viewpoints of Clinical Sciences Professors in Kashan university of Medical Sciences

With considering of significant role of Medical sciences in the health state of society, special attention to Medical education is an importance matter. In this line, the contents of basic sciences courses in Medicine curriculum should guarantee the professional competence of future physicians. The present study was designed to evaluate the viewpoints of Clinical Sciences professors in Kashan University of Medical Sciences about the role of basic sciences in professional competence of physicians. This cross-sectional study was carried out using a questionnaire with confirmed validity and reliability. The questionnaire included items related to the effect of basic sciences education on 9-item medical qualifications and acceptance in residency board exams and general opinion about basic sciences. Professors were asked to score their views in a 3-point ranking. Data were analyzed through SPSS.V.13 software package and using Mann Whitney, Kolmogorov Smirnov and Kruskal Wallis tests. Response rate was 95.7%. Mean score for the effect of basic sciences education on professional qualifications was 18.97(±3.51) from 27. The highest score 21.25(±2.63) belonged to ENT Dept. and the lowest 10.6(±2.07) belonged to the Psychiatry Dept. There was a significant difference between mean scores given by specialists in different clinical fields (p=0.02). The best effect of basic sciences education was on social aspects of health cares and the poorest effect was in Doctor – patient communication. According to the clinical professor’s viewpoints in Kashan University of Medical Sciences, the efficiency of basic sciences education in professional performance of Medical doctors is moderate to above moderate.