Evaluation of Professors’ Satisfaction with a Short-Term Course of Medical Education in Birjand University of Medical Sciences During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the satisfaction of professors with the short-term course of medical education at Birjand University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic.
 Methods: Initially, needs assessment was conducted for the content of the course; after determining the content, the course was held online through Adobe Connect system and offline through Navid system. Following completing the course, evaluation was performed, and finally, satisfaction with the course was assessed based on a 34-item questionnaire whose validity and reliability were established. In total, 44 participants in the course answered the questionnaire. The data were analyzed using t-test and correlation coefficient by SPSS, version 18.
 Results: The mean age of the participants was 36.34 ± 5.64 years, and 56.8% (25 people) were female. In terms of academic rank, 75% were assistant professors. The average score of satisfaction was equal to 140.48, which indicates a high score of satisfaction with the course. In general, the score of satisfaction was higher than average in all fields. The average score of satisfaction in men was significantly lower than in women (P < 0.001). There was no significant relationship between satisfaction and degree, academic rank, age, and working experience (P > 0.05).
 Conclusions: Professors’ satisfaction with the online and offline medical education courses in the relevant systems is at a high level. Thus, it is suggested that combined in-person and online empowerment courses should be held in the post-COVID-19 era.