مجله ایرانی آموزش در علوم پزشکی (Mar 2008)
Internal Efficiency Evaluation Indicators in Universities of Medical Sciences
Abstract
Introduction: Internal efficiency indicators will be able to present the quality of higher education, quantitati-vely through assessing the interaction between inputs, processes, and outputs. This could be used as a compiled, scientific, and institutionalized evaluation system in universities. This study was carried out to compile internal efficiency indicators in Medical Sciences Universities. Methods: In a descriptive study, at first all performance indicators were collected and categorized through literَAutre review. Then, a checklist including 8 areas and 152 indicators was developed based on instruct-tional design studies and using theoretical definition model and focus group discussion. The checklist was delivered to 50 educational experts in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences who were selected purpose-fully. Data was analyzed by SPSS software using frequency distribution tables. Results: In experts' viewpoints, all 152 indicators in 8 compiled areas had four essential criteria of an indicator including possibility of planning, evaluation, measurement, and quality promotion, and were assessed as desirable. They were identified appropriate for the evaluation of internal efficiency in universi-ties of medical sciences. Conclusion: In accordance with the country's political, social, and cultural situations, internal efficiency evaluation indicators, introduced in this study, could be used as a tool for comparing present and optimal situation in universities. More over, they can be used for the evaluation and accreditation of medical universities and help the managers to promote educational quality.
