Evaluation of the consultation program in Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Consultation and guidance is a process of learning which is donethrough the relationship between two individuals. In this mutual relationship,the counselor, through his scientific and occupational skills and qualification,tries to help the students using the methods corresponding to their needs. Themain objective of this study was to provide a framework for the managementof the advisors’ plans in the university based on the analysis of different schools.Methods: This research is a cross-sectional and descriptive-analytic study.Data were collected both qualitatively (centralized groups at the presence ofadvisors in universities) and quantitatively (self-assessment of teachers andstudents’ evaluation). Sampling was done randomly from all students of ShirazUniversity of Medical Sciences. All the teachers who were advisor took part inthis study.Results: This study was conducted in eight schools of Shiraz University ofMedical Sciences simultaneously and 974 students and 125 teachers took partin it. At the time of data collection, 25.5 percent of the students declared thatthe advisors have provided allocated time to them and 45.4 percent believedthat the advisors helped the students to understand the importance of thecourses.Conclusion: The emergence of weaknesses and strengths of the academicadvising program and the guidance through teacher’s self assessment, notonly may be the sign of realization of programmed objectives, but also may bethe starting point for qualitative improvement of the situation. Moreover, inorder to improve the advisory services and guidance, it is necessary to regardconsultation as a scientific subject which needs training.Keywords: Advisor teacher, Consulting, Guidance, Education.