How Interns' Logbook Is Completed in Emergency Ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital?

Introduction: Predetermining practical educational objectives and confronting students with equal educational opportunities based on the objectives, thorough logbook is regarded as part of their final evaluation. Investigating the manner of completing different parts of the logbook by interns in emergency ward is the aim of this study. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on all logbooks filled by interns from April 2006 to May 2007 in emergency ward of Imam Khomeini Hospital. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using descriptive statistics. Results: In total, 388 internship logbooks were investigated which belonged to 221 male (56.96%) and 167 female (43.03%) interns. Considering all concerned activities, 75.98% of interns at least one time, 49.36% one time less than expected, and 32.25% completely performed, participated, or observed the activities expected in the ward. Conclusion: By using logbook in emergency ward, interns could be guided in performing activities expected in the ward but effective use of logbook requires further familiarization of interns with logbook as well as proper supervision on the manner of its completion. The present logbook needs some modifications. It is recommended to design a comprehensive logbook in order to have a uniform education throughout the entire internship course and cover all practical educational objectives.