Internal Evaluation of Departments in the School of Management and Medical Informatics, Isfahan University of Medical Science

Abstract Introduction: In higher education, accreditation begins with internal evaluation of the educational departments carried out by the faculty members in order to improve the educational quality. The purpose of this study was to determine the situation of education and research in the departments of School of Management and Medical informatics in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2003-2004 by applying internal evaluation as the first step of accreditation process. Methods: This descriptive study was performed through applying the process of internal evaluation in the School of Management and Medical informatics. Data collection was done by two valid and reliable questionnaires with five-point ordinal scale for students and faculty members, interview forms for the heads of the departments, and checklists of facilities and educational equipments. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: The department of health services management was partially desirable in all areas except “students”. In the department of library and medical information, the areas of “mission and objectives” and “teaching-learning process” were desirable, whereas the area of “students” was undesirable and the other areas were partially desirable. The department of medical records, was desirable in the areas of “mission and objectives”, “teaching-learning process”, “organizational structure and administration”, undesirable in the area of “research” and partially desirable in other areas. Conclusion: The scientific and academic structure has had an essential role in the promotion of educational quality in the school of management and medical informatics. In general, the role of students was less considered in the programs of different departments. It is recommended that the heads of the departments increase their communication with students formally and give more consideration to their role in enhancing the educational and research quality.