Horizontal Integration in Basic Sciences in Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Medical Students’ Viewpoint

Abstract

Background: Integrated curriculum is a strategy in educational planning. Recently, this strategy has been introduced to medical universities in Iran. The strategy is running at a different level in some of the universities including Kerman University of Medical Sciences (KUMS). In this study, students’ viewpoints toward the horizontal integration of basic sciences were assessed. Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 144 fourth- and fifth-year medical students at KUMS. They were selected using the census method. Data was collected using a questionnaire that contained demographic data, 26 questions about different aspects of the horizontal integration program in basic sciences and 2 questions about students’ satisfaction with the program. The range of viewpoint and satisfaction scores were 0 to 104 and 0 to 10, respectively. Data was analyzed by SPSS 19. Results: The majority of participants 83 (57.6%) were female. The means of their viewpoint and satisfaction scores were 58.44±10.61 and 5.48±2.11, respectively. These scores had no statistically significant difference according to age, gender, entrance year and grade point average (GPA) (P>0.05). Only students’ satisfaction score had a significant direct correlation with GPA (r=0.3, P=0.006). Conclusion: Although our study revealed a positive viewpoint toward the new educational method, this reaction is the first step of evaluation and the next stages of evaluation must be conducted to determine existing problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]