Development Strategies in Medical Education

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Ziaei M, Kazeminia M, Shafa S, Abiri S, Zarei T, Akhavan R, et al . The application of qualitative meta-synthesis in medical education: Synthesizing knowledge for curriculum development, assessment, and quality improvement. , DSME. 2026; 13 (2)
URL: http://dsme.hums.ac.ir/article-1-544-en.html

Introduction: This study used a critical interpretive narrative review with a guided search of the literature. Its purpose was to explain major methodological approaches and potential applications of qualitative evidence synthesis in medical education rather than to conduct an exhaustive systematic review.
Information sources or data: The reviewed literature described six implementation models and several commonly used approaches, including meta-ethnography, thematic synthesis, realist synthesis, meta-synthesis, and framework synthesis.
Selection methods for study: These approaches differ in their methodological assumptions and can be used to integrate evidence, identify knowledge gaps, develop concepts, explore stakeholder experiences, and inform curriculum development, assessment, and educational policy.
Combine content and results: Qualitative evidence synthesis, when matched appropriately to the research question and conducted rigorously, can help integrate existing knowledge and provide interpretive evidence for curriculum planning, assessment, and quality improvement in medical education. Its findings should be interpreted in light of the quality of the primary studies and the context in which the synthesis is applied.
Conclusion: By integrating existing knowledge, qualitative meta-analysis can play an effective role in developing evidence-based curricula, designing meaningful assessment systems, strengthening professional skills training, and improving the overall quality of medical education.