Viewpoints of Supervisors about the Problems in the Process of Dissertations for General Medicine Program Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction. To improve the quality of dissertations (as a mandatory course) in general medicine (MD) program, it is useful to know the viewpoints of supervisors about different issues and problems in their supervision process, i.e. the objectives of the course, facilitation methods for learning, problems of the practical phase, and their ideas about the course efficacy. This study explores supervisors' views concerning the thesis process and its related problems in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Methods. 106 supervisors from Medical School participated in this cross sectional descriptive study. A self-administered questionnaire, which proved to be valid and reliable was used for data collection. The questionnaires were completed individually in the participants' office or School. SPSS software was used for data analysis. Results were analyzed according to the frequency distribution of variables and compared by t- test and ANOVA. Results. According to the supervisors, the most important problems were allocating appropriate budget, approving the research proposal by the department and school councils, instructing students about literature review and article writing, and not being informed about national research priorities. They considered "learning research methodology" as the main objective of dissertation. Most of them agreed on it as a necessary course for MD program, but believed that students usually faced shortage of time. They claimed that offering thesis as an elective course would improve the quality of the projects. Conclusion. Dissertations in general medicine program are facing some problems. It seems that shortage of time brings about limitations in doing and supervising the projects. It is recommended to revise the approval process of thesis proposals. Moreover, involving students in the preplanned researches, improving the supervisors knowledge in research methodology and statistical analysis, announcing research priorities, and revising the course plan may improve the quality of dissertations.