Approaches of Iranian Medical Universities to Quality Management in Education

Introduction: Universities of medical sciences in Iran have recently employed different quality management approaches according to their own reasoning. They include accreditation, total quality management (TQM), suggestion system, ISO 9000, and productivity. This study aimed to identify chosen approaches in Iranian Medical universities and clarify the reasons of selection as well as practical measures made according to the selected approach.. Methods: This was a survey study. Study population included the vice chancellors for education of all of the 41 universities of medical sciences affiliated to Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran. For data collection, a questionnaire including 27 questions was developed by the researcher. Results: 62% of the universities of medical sciences have selected Total Quality Managements approach, 46% Suggestion System, 41% Accreditation, 22% Productivity, and 16% ISO9000.The knowledge of the requirements of the approach has been most influential in the selection of the accreditation(69%) and least influential in the selection of the ISO 9000(62%). Vice chancellors’ awareness and belief has been most influential in the selection of the productivity(75%) and least influential in the selection of the suggestion system(69%). The support and push from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education(MOHME) has been most influential in the selection of the ISO9000(77%), and least influential in the selection of the suggestion system(68%). Regarding practical measueres, maximum training activities have been focused on accreditation (66%) and the least on the suggestion system (58%). ISO9000 has received the most support (66%) from the MOHME, and accreditation and total quality managements have received the least support (60%). Productivity and suggestion system approaches have had maximum achievements(72%), and ISO 9000 and accreditation have had minimum achievement rates(62%). Conclusion: It seems that Universities were confused by successive official orders from MOHME. Since aware voluntary selection of quality approach could be more influential than official orders, TQM approach was more frequently implemented. Therefore it is recommended to inform managers about quality management and implement it by reform in organizational culture, so that institutions admit it as an essential element in their organization.