title: Reform in medical and health sciences educational system: a Delphi study of faculty members' views at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences.
abstract: Despite the strengths in the Iranian medical and health sciences educational system, areas in need of improvement have been noted. The purpose of this study was to understand the views of faculty members at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences about current and future needs for medical and health sciences education, with the goal of improving the quality of the educational system. The data were collected using a Delphi consensus method. Analysis of the findings identified the following key themes among the factors likely to contribute to medical and health sciences education and training: adding and/or increasing student numbers in higher degrees in preference to associate degrees; providing more interactive, student-centred teaching methods; improving the educational content with more practical and research-based courses tailored to society's needs; and an emphasis on outcome-based student evaluation techniques. These changes aim to respond to health trends in society and enhance the close relationship between medical education and the needs of the Iranian society.
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salehi
authors.affiliation: School of Public Health, Griffith Health Institute, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Harris
authors.affiliation: Health Management and Economics Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lotfi
authors.affiliation: Quality Improvement in Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hashemi
authors.affiliation: Quality Improvement in Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kojouri
authors.affiliation: Quality Improvement in Clinical Education Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Amini
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D003697:Delphi Technique; D004501:Education, Medical / Q000592:standards* / Q000639:trends; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D020380:Needs Assessment; D058996:Quality Improvement; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires