Journal of

Background and Aim: Collaboration within and between healthcare teams facilitates effective healthcare provision. Fundamental strategies in effective healthcare services focus on collaboration and teamwork. This study was an attempt to assess reliability and validity of Team STEPPS Teamwork Attitudes Questionnaire (T-TAQ) in Iranian context.

Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional survey was conducted in Iran in 2012. Delphi method was applied and the questionnaire was submitted to 11 experts in 2 rounds to determine its face and content validity. Besides, it was translated and back translated to determine external validity. To estimate the reliability of the instrument, test-retest method was used. A sample of 67 medical and nursing senior students was stratified from Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS). T-TAQ is a questionnaire having 30 questions in 5 themes. The obtained data were analyzed by SPSS13.

Results: The content, face and external validity of the tool were approved by Iranian experts. Meanwhile, applying Cronbach's alpha, total reliability was estimated to be 0.80 moreover, the ICC turned out to be 0.8.

Conclusion : Since the validity and reliability of this instrument are confirmed in an Iranian context, it can be used to measure attitude regarding teamwork in this context.

 Background and Aim: Learning styles are among efficient factors in the teaching-learning process. The aim of the present study was to assess healthcare management students’ learning styles at Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS).

 Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on healthcare management students selected randomly through stratified sampling (response rate = 85%). The data collection tool used in this study was Kolb learning style questionnaire (Cronbach Alpha was 0.7-0.9). The data were analyzed through descriptive and analytical tests (χ² and t-test).

 Results: Most postgraduate students preferred the Accommodate Style (55.6% of PhD students and 64% of MCs students). The majority of undergraduate students, however, preferred the Convergent Style (45.67%).

 Conclusion: As to these students’ dominant learning styles, the results of the study emphasized the use of “teaching methods based on Role Playing and Simulation” among postgraduate students and “Problem-Based Learning” among undergraduate students.

Background and Aim: In order to develop teaching competencies and prepare PhD candidates for future roles as faculty members of medical schools, the present study conducted to determine PhD candidates` educational needs and their skills concerning teaching competencies.

Materials and Methods: The present study was a descriptive- analytical and cross-sectional study that was conducted in year 2011. The Study population was PhD candidates who studied in Health School of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. In the present study a “Teaching Competencies Assessment” questionnaire was used that included 2 part s the demographic information and 16- items of educational competencies and needs. The validity and reliability of th e questionnaire was approved by alpha Cronbach’s coefficient (educational need 94% & educational skill 87%). Data analysis was conducted using SPSS.

Results: The result of the present study showed that teaching skills of PhD candidates were at “familiar without implementation capability” level. The lowest candidate s` skill was “Student Assessment” field. The candidates had educational needs in all 16 areas of teaching skill fields (3.85:5). “Lecture Presentation” (4.1:5), “logical structure of Presentation” (4.02:5) and “Motivating methods” (4.01:5) fields were the highest educational needs of PhD candidates.

Conclusion: The results of the present study confirmed the need for systematic planning in order to develop teaching competencies and prepare PhD candidates for teaching role in future.