Development Strategies in Medical Education

Introduction: Clinical education is a pivotal aspect of medical training, essential for developing students' professional competencies. Clinical rounds, a cornerstone of clinical education, provide a practical platform for applying theoretical knowledge. This study aims to evaluate the current status of clinical rounds at Kashan Shahid-Beheshti Hospital.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2019. A 5-point Likert scale questionnaire, developed based on Ministry of Health clinical education standards, was employed. The questionnaire underwent rigorous validation procedures, achieving a reliability coefficient of α = 0.955. The instrument was used to evaluate the clinical round status of faculty members, physicians, residents, interns, and clerks in various educational departments. Data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics (t-test) at a significance level of α = 0.05.

Results: A total of 302 participants were included in the study. Respondents generally perceived the clinical round status as above average, with most selecting 'desirable' or 'most desirable' options on the questionnaire. A significant difference was observed in the mean clinical round status scores between the internal medicine, pediatrics, gynecology, infectious disease, and psychiatry groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The overall clinical round status was deemed favorable. Faculty awareness of educational standards in clinical practice appears to positively influence the quality of clinical rounds, leading to improved learner competency and healthcare service delivery.