Assessing the Quality of General Medicine Curriculum in Baqiyatallah University Based on Iranian National and WFME Global Standards

Introduction: This study embarked on the evaluation of the quality of curriculum of general medicine in Baqiyatallah University based on Iranian national and WFME global standards. Method: A survey study was designed using a valid and reliable questionnaire based on Basic Standards for undergraduate general medicine curriculum in Iran as well as WFME standards. Data were collected from faculty members in school of medicine and students in basic and clinical courses by stratified random sampling. Data were analyzed by Prism5 software (α< 0.05). Results: Based on Iranian national standards, faculty members rated educational program of Baqiyatallah undergraduate general medicine as suitable (71% of standards were fulfilled), while students rated it as weak (38% of standards were fulfilled. Based on WFME standards, this program stood between basic and quality level (>75% of basic level score) in faculty members’ viewpoint and under basic level (<75% of basic level score) in students' viewpoint. Although there was a significant difference between faculty members’ and students' scores (p<0.001), their idea were the same about detection of weak indicators such as "using new educational strategies", "relevance with medical practice and health care system" and "curriculum structure, contents and duration" and also strength indicators such as "curriculum models", "basic biomedical sciences" and "educational program compilation and announcement". Conclusion: The quantitative difference between lecturers and students scores is related to their difference in participation and information about educational program. The similarity of attitudes about indicators demonstrates the real and structural weaknesses and strengths of the educational program for undergraduate medical education in Baqiyatallah University. The static and traditional criteria are the strong points and the dynamic creativity driven criteria are the weak points of the educational program in this university. So attention to quality level of WFME accreditation system is recommended.