Journal of Advances in Medical Education & Professionalism

Teachers’ Virtual Education Experiences in Iraq: Insights from a Mixed-Methods Study on Challenges and Consequences

ABBAS TAHER ALLAWI GHRABAT; NASROLAH GHASHGHAEIZADEH; JALAL SHANTA JABER; FRANK MOSAVI

Volume 13, Issue 3 , July 2025, , Pages 235-248

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2025.105009.2098

Abstract

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed the educational landscape in Iraq, necessitating a rapid shift from traditional classroom settings to virtual education. ... Read More Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly transformed the educational landscape in Iraq, necessitating a rapid shift from traditional classroom settings to virtual education. This study aimed to examine the experiences of Arabic virtual education teachers in Iraq, with a focus on the challenges they faced and the implications of adopting online teaching methodologies.Methods: A mixed-methods approach was applied, incorporating a qualitative-quantitative approach for tool development. The qualitative section dealt with content analysis, while the quantitative section followed a descriptive survey method. The study was performed in 2023. The qualitative sampling was purposeful, involving 15 experts in virtual education from Iraq, whereas the quantitative samples consisted of 368 teachers from 20 schools in Baghdad, Iraq, selected via cluster sampling. The qualitative tool was a semi-structured interview, whereas the quantitative tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of 10 components and 66 items. For data analysis, exploratory factor analysis was carried out. The data were analyzed using SPSS 22 software.Results: A total of 15 educational experts contributed to the qualitative analysis, while the opinions of 398 teachers were inspected through exploratory factor analysis for content analysis. The sample’s adequacy and the test’s suitability were validated using two indicators: Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin (KMO=0.684) and Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity, both being significant at >0.001. Thequantitative findings presented the extraction of 10 factors, which accounted for 85.823% of the total variance at the eigenvalue point. These factors included Utility (9 items), Implications (8 items), Flexibility and Adaptability (7 items), Equity (7 items), Balanced Infrastructure Development (7 items), Evaluation and Motivation Mechanisms (6 items), Management and Policy Making (8 items), Awareness and Empowerment (6 items), Educational Planning (4 items), and Technology Enhanced Learning (3 items).Conclusion: The findings highlight the complex challenges encountered by Iraqi educators in virtual learning environments, underscoring the significance of addressing infrastructural gaps,providing adequate training, and fostering equitable access to technology. By focusing on these domains, educational stakeholders can boost the effectiveness of online education in Iraq, ultimately improving educational outcomes for all students.

Sentient Intercultural Self-Efficacy: Constructing Intercultural Competence in Health Sciences students

DEBBIE ÁLVAREZ-CRUCES; JUAN MANSILLA-SEPÚLVEDA; ALEJANDRA NOCETTI-DE-LA-BARRA

Volume 13, Issue 2 , April 2025, , Pages 93-104

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2025.104564.2067

Abstract

Introduction: The increase in migration movements, global health challenges, and the requirements of different organizations have emphasized the importance of Constructing Intercultural ... Read More Introduction: The increase in migration movements, global health challenges, and the requirements of different organizations have emphasized the importance of Constructing Intercultural Competence (ICC). However, not all countries have policies to achieve this. Therefore, this research aimed to understand the process of constructing Intercultural Competence in theprofessional training of Health Sciences students.Methods: A qualitative study with a Grounded Theory design was conducted. Semi-structured interviews, lasting 40 to 50 minutes, were conducted with students in their last year of training tocomply with the intensity sampling. Theoretical sampling was achieved using the Constant Comparative Methods, interview refinements, and data saturation by program and university topropose theoretical codes. Focused Coding allowed grouping and establishing relationships between the codes and categories. Two accredited Ethics Committees in Chile approved the study.Results: 106 students from three universities, including medicine, midwifery, nursing, nutrition, dentistry, pharmacy, and kinesiology, participated. Two categories were formed: 1) the construct of Intercultural Competence, composed of seven stages which were named Sentient Intercultural Self-Efficacy; and 2) precursors of the construct of Intercultural Competence, composed of intrapersonal characteristics, the nature of empathy and the materialization of will.Conclusion: The precursors to the construction seem to favor critical thinking, which enables the development of Sentient Intercultural Self-Efficacy. However, the strong influence of validscientific evidence, combined with vicarious learning, causes a setback in achieving the construction. This demonstrates the need to develop a critical perspective among students to challenge the prevailing status quo characterized by an equality and ethnocentric approach to patient care. Achieving Intercultural Alternative Thinking, where individuals are open to incorporating other treatment alternatives that may not necessarily have scientific evidence but could benefit patient recovery, is essential.

Evaluating the Effect of Scenario-Based Learning on the Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception of Nursing and Midwifery Students about Patient Safety

SOMAYEH ALIREZAEI; MALIHEH SADEGHNEZHAD; MONIR RAMEZANI

Volume 12, Issue 4 , October 2024, , Pages 243-250

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2024.101869.1947

Abstract

Introduction: Patient safety is the most important priority in the healthcare system. Medical universities always attempt to find innovative and more effective educational methods to ... Read More Introduction: Patient safety is the most important priority in the healthcare system. Medical universities always attempt to find innovative and more effective educational methods to improvethe students’ abilities for clinical decision-making and quality and safe care. Thus, this study was designed to evaluate the effect of scenario-based learning on the knowledge, attitude, andperception of nursing students about patient safety.Methods: This quasi-experimental study was conducted between September 2023 and January 2024. The study sample comprised 78 nursing and midwifery students from the fourth and fifth semesters of their bachelor’s degrees, each of whom was systematically reviewed. The participants were allocated to the intervention (n=43) and control groups (n=35) randomly, using simple randomization. The educational content was presented via scenario-based learning for participants in the intervention group, while it was presented through lecture and discussion in the control group. The questionnaire was standardized and structured, and its validity and reliability were assessed. Data gathering was performed one month after the intervention using a knowledge, attitude, and practice questionnaire. Data were analyzed in SPSS software version 16 using descriptive statistical methods and inferential tests, including the chi-square test, independent T-test, paired T-test, and ANCOVA.Results: The study findings indicated that there were no significant differences in attitude (P=0.152) and perception (P=0.264) scores between the intervention and control groups before the intervention. However, after the intervention, a significant difference was observed (P<0.001). [Knowledge 14.97±3.70 vs. 19.37±3.31), attitude (31.74±5.38 vs. 34.62±9.59), perception(35.60±7.51 vs.38.95±8.21)].Conclusion: Scenario-based learning can be a more effective way to teach nursing and midwifery students about patient safety. Thus, researchers recommend that this educational method should be used by nursing and midwifery instructors to improve the students’ ability to provide safer care for patients.

A Four-Axis-Method to Evaluate a Part of an Undergraduate Medical Students’ Curriculum

MONA MLIKA; SARRA CHEIKHROUHOU; ABDERRAOUF BEN MANSOUR; FAOUZI MEZNI; MOHAMED HÉDI LOUESLATI; IHEB LABBENE; MOHAMED JOUINI

Volume 12, Issue 3 , July 2024, , Pages 172-179

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2023.100837.1901

Abstract

Introduction: The evaluation of programs in faculties of medicine enables them to adequately reach their mission objectives, and social responsibilities and to correct their potential ... Read More Introduction: The evaluation of programs in faculties of medicine enables them to adequately reach their mission objectives, and social responsibilities and to correct their potential lacune. Fewpublications have described the process of internal evaluation of a program performed by the organizational members. The authors aimed to describe a practical method called the four-axis method to assess curriculum using a practical example.Methods: The authors performed a descriptive study, highlighting the application of a particular method of evaluation of a program called the four-axis method. It consisted of the assessment of the pedagogical alignment [1], teaching techniques and evaluation tests [2], students’ viewpoints and needs [3], and the teachers’ opinions and needs [4]. To contextualize this method, the authors described a practical experience of the assessment of a multidisciplinary theme (theme 16), which is taught during the second year of medical education. Was performed the evaluation from January 2020 to January 2021. The population studied consisted of the tutors implicated in the teaching of the theme and the students in the second year of medical education who accepted to answer the satisfaction questionnaires. The students and tutors who did not fill out the questionnaires were excluded. No statistical tests were needed because of the descriptive nature of the study.Results: The most relevant results highlighted that 48.4% of the teachers did not systematically use bioclinical cases involving interactions between students; also, 42.4% of the students believedthat the teaching sessions didn’t introduce practical examples giving rise to interactions between them. Therefore, the 4-axisbased analysis indicated that weaknesses were mostly attributedto the lack of homogeneity in the teaching methods and techniques which showed the teachers’ difficulties in integrating clinical data into their teaching so that they can help the students to assimilate the fundamental data.Conclusion: The authors’ used a particular approach since it focused both on an objective evaluation of the teaching methods and the evaluation tests and the students’ and teachers’ viewpoints and needs. The major limitation of this approach was the fact that itcould not integrate the educational environment that could impact the students’ performances.

Effectiveness of Gamification in Enhancing Learning and Attitudes: A Study of Statistics Education for Health School Students

MEHRNOOSH KHOSHNOODIFAR; ASIEH ASHOURI; MAHDOKHT TAHERI

Volume 11, Issue 4 , October 2023, , Pages 230-239

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2023.98953.1817

Abstract

Introduction: Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts. It is considered a student-centeredinstructional design to motivate student learning and academic ... Read More Introduction: Gamification is the use of game design elements in non-game contexts. It is considered a student-centeredinstructional design to motivate student learning and academic behavior. In this study, the effects of gamification on learning statistics (hypothesis testing issue) and attitude toward statistics in comparison with the common e-learning approach were investigated. The students’ experience and critical elements of gamification on learning statistics were assessed, too.Methods: In a before and after trial, in a census manner, 64 health faculty students of Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran, non-randomly were assigned to the intervention (n=42) and control (n=22) groups. Learning activities were gamified in the intervention group, while the control group received traditional problem-solving in the learning management system. Narrative, avatar, level, point, progress bar, scoreboard, challenge and feedback elements were used in the game experience. The implementation of gamification was applied based on Landers’ theory of gamified content. Valid and reliable Persian version of the Survey Attitude toward Statistics questionnaire measuredthe students’ attitude before and after the intervention. The EGameFlow questionnaire and a valid and reliable researchermade exam measured the users’ experience of gamified content and learning hypothesis testing after the intervention. The independent samples T-test, analysis of covariance and the partial eta-squared effect size were calculated by SPSS software, version 26.Results: Compared to the control group, the intervention group had a more positive attitude toward learning difficulty (moderate partial eta-squared 0.099), value and cognitive competency (weak partial eta-squared=0.01 and 0.05). Learning between the two groups was not different (P=0.522). There was a significant correlation between learning and the students’ perceived experience with feedback (r=0.583, P<0.001), concentration (r=0.509, P=0.005), and challenge (r=0.421, P=0.023) of the gamified content.Conclusion: It suggests using gamification on learning statistics while optimizing the design with more focus on the feedback, challenge and concentration elements.

Psychometric Properties of Clinical Learning Environment Comparison Survey Questionnaire in Nursing Students

SHIRIN RIAHI; MINA ABOLFAZLIE; MOHSEN ARABI

Volume 10, Issue 4 , October 2022, , Pages 267-273

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2022.95206.1630

Abstract

Introduction: Continuous evaluations of clinical education and learning in nursing require the use of valid and reliableinstruments. The present study aimed to evaluate the validity ... Read More

Basis, Process and Outcomes of a Student Involvement Project for Curriculum Review at the Imperial College School of Medicine

SHARAN J KAPADIA; LANA AL-NUSAIR

Volume 10, Issue 3 , July 2022, , Pages 211-215

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2022.94921.1613

Abstract

Introduction: To help create a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) curriculum centred around the student voice, the Imperial College School of Medicine (ICSM) recruited ... Read More

The predictive role of tendency toward mobile learning and emotional intelligence in Internet addiction in healthcare professional students

NAYEREH BAGHCHEGHI; HAMID REZA KOOHESTANI

Volume 10, Issue 2 , April 2022, , Pages 113-119

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2022.91971.1465

Abstract

Introduction: Internet addiction is a psychological disorder that can lead to serious damages to university students as a group at risk. This study aimed to determine the ... Read More Introduction: Internet addiction is a psychological disorder that can lead to serious damages to university students as a group at risk. This study aimed to determine the predictive role of tendencytoward mobile learning (purposeful use of mobile technologies for educational purposes) and emotional intelligence in Internet addiction in healthcare professional students.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was carried out on 403 healthcare professional students at Saveh University of Medical Sciences-Iran in 2021 using convenience sampling method. For data gathering, three questionnaires were used: willingness to use mobile learning, Young’s Internet Addiction Test, and the Emotional Intelligence Appraisal. Data analyses were done using Pearson Correlation Coefficient and Hierarchical Regression in SPSS 16 (Inc SPSS USA, IL, Chicago).Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.09±1.47 years; 125 subjects (31.01%) were boys and 278 (68.99%) girls. As the findings showed, 16.87% of the students had Internet addictionand 33% were on the edge of developing Internet addiction. Internet addiction was significantly negatively correlated with willingness to m-learning (r=-0.45, P=0.001) and emotional intelligence (r=-0.32, P=0.01). In addition, regression analysis results showed that the variables willingness to use learning and emotional intelligence explained 23% of the Internet addiction variance (p <0.001). Conclusion: In the present study, a considerable number of the healthcare professional students had excessive and unnecessary use of the Internet. Emotional intelligence and willingness to use mobile learning had an inverse relationship with Internet addiction. There is a need to screen Internet-addicted students using proper screening tools and take primary preventive measures in this regard. In addition, proper measures are needed to be taken to improve emotional intelligence and mobile learning skills and control Internet addiction to some extent.

Comparison of the effectiveness of flipped classroom and traditional teaching method on the components of self-determination and class perception among University students

MAHNAZ KHAYAT; FARIBA HAFEZI; PARVIZ ASGARI; MARZIEH TALEBZADEH SHOUSHTARI

Volume 9, Issue 4 , October 2021, , Pages 230-237

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2021.89793.1385

Abstract

Introduction: The flipped classroom instruction can be an opportunity to make educational changes in class contents, which means this model can be a way to rethink learning ... Read More

Anxious, depressed: Should medical schools screen their students?

DEEBAN RATNESWARAN; MUHAMMED KERMALI; TECK K KHONG

Volume 9, Issue 3 , July 2021, , Pages 185-186

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2020.86182.1224

Abstract

Our informal survey prompted us to suggest a more radical approach; whereby, at peak levels of stress, students are screened with validated anxiety and depression scores. This would ... Read More

Exploring the educational challenges in emergency medical students: A qualitative study

ALI AFSHARI; MASOUD KHODAVEISI; EFAT SADEGHIAN

Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2021, , Pages 79-84

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2021.88535.1344

Abstract

Introduction: Emergency medical services (EMS) are provided in the difficult and unpredictable conditions of prehospital settings. Therefore, EMS students need to receive ... Read More

Pathology of General Practice Curriculum from the Viewpoint of Students and Professors

SHAPOUR BADIEE AVAL; ALI EMADZADEH; MARYAM POURSHIRAZI; HOSEIN KARIMI MOONAGHI; SEYED JAVAD HOSSEINI; ZAHRA ABBASI SHAYE; GOLNAZ SABOURI; FATEMEH HOSSEINI DOLATABADI

Volume 9, Issue 2 , April 2021, , Pages 94-101

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2021.87035.1287

Abstract

Introduction: Based on the needs of the health system, continuous revising and monitoring are essential for General Practice (GP) Curriculum. The present study was conducted ... Read More

A new method of recording attendance improves the academic performance of medical students

HIMEL MONDAL; KOUSHIK SAHA; SHAIKAT MONDAL; PIYALI SAHA; SAIRAVI KIRAN BIRI

Volume 8, Issue 2 , April 2020, , Pages 55-60

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2020.81723.1029

Abstract

Introduction: Students’ engagement during the collection of attendance (SEdCA) is a method where students write the answer to a question related to the topic of preceding ... Read More

Are healthy lifestyle behaviors positively associated with the academic achievement of the university students?

FATEMEH BAKOUEI; SHABNAM OMIDVAR; SEYED JALIL SEYEDI-ANDI; SAREH BAKOUEI

Volume 7, Issue 4 , October 2019, , Pages 224-229

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2019.74888.

Abstract

Introduction: Universally, the number of students attending the university education is high and increasing. The future of academic graduates is affected by their academic ... Read More

Experiences of students and faculty members about using virtual social networks in education: A qualitative content analysis

ALI DEHGHANI; JAVAD KOJURI; MOHAMMAD REZA DEHGHANI; ABDOLKHALEGH KESHAVARZI; SEDIGHEH NAJAFIPOUR

Volume 7, Issue 2 , April 2019, , Pages 86-94

https://doi.org/10.30476/jamp.2019.44712

Abstract

Introduction: Virtual social networks are increasingly beingused by academics and students in health sciences. It is necessaryto examine opportunities and challenges of these networks ... Read More

Volume 13 (2025)

Volume 12 (2024)

Volume 11 (2023)

Volume 10 (2022)

Volume 9 (2021)

Volume 8 (2020)

Volume 7 (2019)

Volume 6 (2018)

Volume 5 (2017)

Volume 4 (2016)

Volume 3 (2015)

Volume 2 (2014)

Volume 1 (2013)

Keywords = Students

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