Meta-analysis of Factors Affecting Effective Teaching in Medical Education

Introduction: Considering determinant factors in effective teaching could lead to improvement of education, teaching-learning process and motivate students to learn. The purpose of this study was to perform a meta-analysis of factors affecting effective teaching in medical education. Methods: Meta-analysis method was employed in this research. A total of 30 publications were selected and four general variables were identified after analyzing a large number of theses, articles and research studies on factors affecting effective teaching in medical education from 2001 to 2015. The Comprehensive Meta-analysis software (CMA-2) was used to analyze the collected data. Results: Combining effect sizes in order of importance were calculated for communication skills (ES=0.622), individual characteristics (ES=0.56), teaching skills (ES=0.473) and evaluation skills (ES=0.367); all components were statistically significant (P<0.01). Considering the findings, communication skills and individual characteristics had a medium effect size and teaching skills and evaluation skills had a small effect size. Conclusion: The results of the meta-analysis indicated that in order of importance, communication skills, individual characteristics, teaching skills and evaluation skills were the most important components affecting effective teaching in medical education.