Evaluation of medical ethics doctoral program; a utilization-focused approach

Abstract

Program evaluation in education is a process for investigating the strength and weakness of on educational program. Instructors and teacher will find the point for improvement in the program and this process will led to reach the expected outcomes of education. PhD of medical ethics as a scientific discipline launched since 2009 in IRAN and the documented curriculum of this program proposed some learning experiences and competencies for the graduates of this program. After running 9 cycle of the program in three universities, the board of the Medical Ethics intended to evaluate the program. Therefore the aim of this study was to evaluate the educational program of PhD of medical ethics in Iran. This program evaluation was done based on utilization focused approach. Based on the aim of the study and the flexibility that the approach allowed us, we chose the qualitative method of data gathering. Data were collected from in depth interview by academic staff of the program in all three centers, program instructors and educational experts. Student’s opinion gathered through three focus group discussion in educational departments. The evaluation question designed based on the literature review. The findings of this study are presented here based on main evaluation questions. The findings showed that there are some shortcomings in the program documents and also there are administrative issues. It seems that the program itself and also its application in universities need some improvement. Also the entrance exam and policies need some revision and the development of the medical ethics as a discipline need interdisciplinary coordination and communications. Based on the finding of the study we propose recommendations for the program per se and for the medical ethics discipline as a scientific field.