Management of Social Accountability in Medical Education at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Introduction: Since the ultimate goal of medical education is to improve health, all the efforts of custodians’ and service providers’ training must meet the needs of society. The World Health Organization defines social accountability as guiding commitment toward education, research and medical services in line with the prioritizing the health requirements of the community, region and world. Methods: This cross - sectional study was conducted in two phases, including observation and documenting the activities and programs of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. Results: Tabriz University of Medical Sciences has taken some steps towards social accountability in medical education, including determining the priorities of health and disease in the province, presenting health and disease training programs in the local media, preparing appropriate community-based teaching fields, empowering faculty members in new teaching and assessment methods and training the students based on the community health requirements. Conclusion: Despite all of these activities, it is still necessary to evaluate social accountability indicators in this university for further achievements towards comprehensive social accountability.

Keywords

• Social accounatability
• Medical education
• Community-oriented