Medical Faculty Members Research Articles

The perception of medical residents and faculty members on resident duty hour regulation.

PurposeThis study investigated the perceptions of medical residents and faculty members before the implementation of the duty hour regulation in December 2017.MethodsA survey was administered to 263 residents and 358 faculty members in the Chonnam National University Hospital. The subjects were given a self-administered structured questionnaire designed to measure their perspectives on duty hour regulation. They were also asked to answer an open-ended question regarding their expectations or concerns regarding duty hour regulation. The response rates were 50.2% for residents and 24.0% for faculty members.ResultsResidents and faculty members regarded the improvement of junior residents’ well-being favorably, but had conflicting views regarding senior residents. Residents expressed difficulty in completing unchanged workloads within the limited time, while faculty members were more concerned about worsening patient safety due to the discontinuity of care and insufficient resident education.ConclusionMedical residents and faculty members had differing concerns regarding duty hour regulation. Further studies and the development of future policies should be considered to improve resident education and patient safety within the limited duty hour regulation.

The efficacy of peer assessment in objective structured clinical examinations for formative feedback: a preliminary study.

PurposeWe sought to determine the impact of medical students’ prior experience of assessing peers in the objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) on their clinical performance.MethodsForty-two year 4 medical students participated in an OSCE comprised of three 10-minute stations (syncope, hemoptysis, and back pain). Each student took part in two iterations of the three‐station OSCE as either the examiner or examinee, and student performance was assessed using a checklist by a medical faculty member and a student simultaneously. Students were randomly assigned to two groups and their OSCE scores were compared. Students in the control group were tested at a station first and then participated at the same station as a peer examiner, and those in the intervention group participated as a peer examiner first and then as an examinee. Moreover, student OSCE scores rated by peer examiners were compared with those awarded by faculty to evaluate the accuracy of peer assessment. Following the test, students completed surveys on their perceptions of the usefulness of this formative OSCE.ResultsStudent overall OSCE scores did not differ between groups. Students in the study group performed better at the hemoptysis station (p<0.001), but poorer at the syncope station (p<0.01). Student performances at the back-pain station were similar in these two groups (p=0.48). OSCE scores rated by faculty and peer examiners were moderately negatively associated at the hemoptysis station (p<0.05), but no such association was observed at the other two stations. This trend was similar in peer examiners who were high-achievers and low-achievers in OSCEs. Students showed positive perceptions of their experience with this OSCE.ConclusionStudent experience as peer assessor offers a feasible means of providing them greater access to OSCEs without consuming more resources, although its impact on enhancing performance in the OSCE is likely to differ across stations.

Die betriebsärztliche Betreuung von Erwerbstätigen – Ergebnisse der repräsentativen lidA-Studie

Occupational health provision among workers in Germany: results of the representative lidA study Introduction: There is an ongoing debate in Germany as to whether there is a sufficient number of active occupational health physicians (OHPs) to meet the need for occupational health surveillance. In this contribution, the frequency of OHP contact with employees is investigated based on data of a representative sample of older workers in Germany. Methods: The data come from the third wave (2018) of the German lidA study (www.lida-studie.de), a longitudinal study investigating work, age, health and employment among workers born in 1959 or 1965. Data analysis was restricted to those in full-time or part-time employment at the time of the interview (n=3039). The analysis of data is descriptive and specification by occupation required at least 25 cases per occupational group. Results: 62.1 % of all respondents (n=1888) reported that their enterprise had an OHP. 52.1 % of all employees had already had personal contact with him, half of them in the past 12 months. It was not possible to identify a statistically significant correlation with the extent of physical strain at work. Members of the engineering and medical professions and academics reported high OHP contact rates, while low rates were reported by some manual and service professions (e.g. construction and cleaning jobs), administrative professions and retail workers. Discussion: The findings do not point directly to a shortage of OHPs in Germany. However, they do suggest an imbalance in the distribution of OHP resources: some occupations report OHP contacts on a smaller scale than would be expected, whilst the opposite applies to others. Conclusions: There is a need for an in-depth scientific analysis of the current organisation, practice and quality of occupational health surveillance in Germany. Keywords: occupational health surveillance – contact with occupational health physician – lack of occupational health physicians – employees – professional groups – empirical survey

Tobacco use and attitudes on tobacco control among faculty members of a medical school in Northern Cyprus (tobacco use among medical teachers)

The smoking prevalence of medical faculty members has not been a subject of research as frequently as physicians and medical students. The objective of this study was to determine the status of tobacco use and some attitudes among medical faculty members of a Northern Cyprus university. The data were collected by a questionnaire of 22 questions, developed in compliance with WHO guidelines. The data were analyzed using IBM-SPSS 23.0 with p < .05 evaluated as significant. For this cross-sectional study, 128 members of the 146 academics responded (response rate of 87.7%). Lifetime smoking frequency was 46.9%. Current smokers comprised 21.9% while 7.0% consumed non-cigarette products with overall tobacco use of 26.6%. Of the smokers, 52.9% had started smoking at medical school. Regarding doctors being nonsmoking role models, positive attitudes were expressed significantly more by non-smokers than smokers. Only 33.8% were covering tobacco control in their teaching programs while 86.5% had positive attitudes for comprehensive tobacco control in the curriculum. The medical faculty members had a relatively high frequency of tobacco use and the tobacco issue did not have sufficient content in the education programs. Promisingly, the majority of the medical faculty members were in a supportive attitude for comprehensive tobacco control education.

Using art to improve visual diagnosis: a review.

Elective visual arts-based courses for trainees in the health professions may, amongst other things, help improve visual diagnostic skills. An emphasis on the careful observation of visual art and medical images and the co-teaching of such courses by both medical faculty members and local art educators seem to be particularly important elements for the successful implementation of such courses. At least 12 studies to date suggest that guided observation of visual art (e.g. paintings and photography) can enhance the quality and/or quantity of visual observations. More research is needed regarding optimal course structure and assessment, but existing evidence supports the development of visual arts-based coursework for health care trainees using strategies such as 'visual thinking skills' and engagement and processing in groups. The arts or 'medical humanities' are increasingly used in the education of health professionals, and growing evidence exists that visual arts-based coursework, in particular, can enhance the observation skills of participants. Notably, the expertise and experience of trainees in specific disciplines are likely to influence specific learning goals and course structure in each context; however, unique arts-based teaching strategies (e.g. 'visual thinking skills') can be used across all settings. There is no more difficult art to acquire than the art of observation … William Osler, 19031.

Conscience - An Endangered Human Value?

Being a part of medical academics for the last two decades, while trying to build good human values within myself and my students, it has come to my notice often, that while human beings have shown utmost concern about endangering living species, we have never taken a look at our values and observed which values have literally become obsolete among us. If the fear of the almighty God would be nonexistent among humans, then the only thing that would direct and judge us is our conscience and our ability to refine consciousness.

Self-perceived competency of the medical faculty for E-Teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the self-perceived competency (FSPC) of medical faculty in E-Teaching and support received during the COVID-19 pandemic. An online well-structured and validated faculty self-perceived competency questionnaire was used to collect responses from medical faculty. The questionnaire consisted of four purposely build sections on competence in student engagement, instructional strategy, technical communication and time management. The responses were recorded using a Likert ordinal scale (1-9). The Questionnaire was uploaded at www.surveys.google.com and the link was distributed through social media outlets and e-mails. Descriptive statistics and Independent paired t-test were used for analysis and comparison of quantitative and qualitative variables. A p-value of ≤0.05 was considered statistically significant. A total of 738 responses were assessed. Nearly 54% (397) participants had less than 5 years of teaching experience, 24.7% (182) had 6-10 years and 11.7% (86) had 11-15 years teaching expertise. 75.6% (558) respondents have delivered online lectures during the pandemic. Asynchronous methods were used by 61% (450) and synchronous by 39% (288) of participants. Moreover, 22.4% (165) participants revealed that their online lectures were evaluated by a structured feedback from experts, while 38.3% participants chose that their lectures were not evaluated. A significant difference (p < 0.01) was found between FSPC scores and online teaching evaluation by experts. The mean score of FSPC scale was 5.62±1.15. The mean score for student's engagement, instructional strategies, technical communication and time management were of 5.18±1.60, 5.67±1.61, 5.49±1.71 and 6.12±1.67 respectively. Medical faculty members were found somewhat competent in E-teaching for student engagement, instructional strategy, technical communication and time management skills. Faculty receiving feedback was more competent in comparison to peers teaching without feedback.

Oral Hygiene Knowledge among Medical and Dental Faculty

Abstract Objective Oral health reflects the physical and mental health of the individual as it is the first line of entrance of bacteria into the body. Knowledge regarding oral health is an essential component for dental as well as medical faculty as they are responsible for maintenance of health of the individual in clinical and nonclinical practices. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the predominance of oral hygiene with dental brushing, flossing, smoking, usage of mouthwash, and frequency of dental visits. Materials and Methods To achieve the aim of the study, a questionnaire was created to access the awareness of oral hygiene status among medical and dental faculty. The study was conducted at Sir Syed College of Medical Sciences and all the faculty staff from senior faculty to junior staff was included in the study. Results A total of 200 participants participated in the study of which 125 were females (62.5%). The results specify that the female faculty members have a better oral hygiene knowledge as compared with male faculty members. Single faculty members or staff visit a dentist more as compared with married faculty members or staff as single staff has more time and less responsibilities at home. Knowledge regarding oral hygiene care of overall participants is satisfactory. Conclusion In conclusion, the oral health care and knowledge is far better in dental faculty member as compared with medical faculty member as the oral care is the substantial component of the dental core curriculum.

Prevalence and curriculum of sexual and gender minority education in Japanese medical school and future direction

ABSTRACT Background: In Japan, sexual and gender minorities (SGM) remain stigmatized, provoking hospital access barriers and health disparities from judgmental care. Japan’s Western-influenced introduction of SGM course content into medical education for future physicians addresses these disparities, although often perfunctorily and inconsistently. Objective: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of medical education curriculum with respect to SGM patients, we surveyed medical schools. Methods: A medical education faculty member from each of 80 Japanese medical schools received double postcards to identify relevant SGM coursework. Upon acknowledgement, 43 schools received seven-item anonymous questionnaires in March 2018. Survey results were analyzed from the perspective of three of the qualities and abilities required of a physician – Patient Care, Knowledge for Practice, and Professionalism from Japan’s Medical Core Curriculum – to develop recommendations for outcomes-based SGM curriculum through the lens of Van Melle’s medical education framework. Results: The response rate was 46%, with 22 schools providing SGM lectures mostly to first- and third-year students. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neuropsychiatry, and Introduction to Medicine lectures were the top three subjects offering SGM lectures, primarily consisting of basic knowledge of SGM and Differences in Sex Development. Several lectures addressed the health challenges of SGM. Primary reasons for not offering SGM lectures were lack of suitable instructors or no school policies. Conclusions: Students can best experience the humanity of SGM patients and employ more appropriate diagnostic practices and modes of treatment with targeted curriculum to address SGM health disparities and inclusion of SGM patients in clinical practice training. To disseminate SGM education in Japanese medical schools, development of qualified instructors and policies is essential, employing currently active experts. The Van Melle reforms framework can guide in the development of recommended tailored learning experiences and lectures for improved and expanded SGM education, integrating appropriate coursework within current medical core curriculum structure.

Scholarly critiquing: A 12 step guide for promoting professional life long learning in medical academia

The concept of the journal club is a time-tested collaborative learning activity to keep health professionals abreast of current literature and improve their confidence in reading literature.Being equipped with the skills to critically analyse a peer-reviewed scientific manuscript is equally as important as carrying out research and publishing papers. Most published literature related to the concept of journal club examines only the core critical appraisal skills and leaves behind potential factors which could significantly influence the effective pursuit of a journal club. In this practical advice paper, the author highlights 12 steps for conducting an effective journal club and the practical difficulties associated with each step.

A critical Appraisal of consumer health literature in Tamil print news media in Sri Lanka

Objective: This study was designed to critically appraise the consumer health literature (CHL) appearing in Tamil print news media (lay press or newspapers) in Sri Lanka Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive study critically appraised the CHL appeared in National and regional Tamil newspapers published in Sri Lanka during a period of three months. We conducted a pilot study for a period of one week to identify all the Tamil newspapers published in Sri Lanka and also to determine the variables that can be used to appraise the CHL. CHL was defined as materials giving information on health related matters. Health advertisements and information on cosmetics were excluded. Two investigators independently went through all the target newspapers to identify and separate the CHL. Subsequently, using a pre-tested checklist, two investigators independently appraised the CHL. In case of major disagreement between the two investigators, decision was made by consensus. Results: There were 633 CHL in 600 newspapers: Common topics included non-communicable diseases (25%), reproductive health (13%) and food habits (12. 6%). Topics related to National public health campaigns, official health promotion messages, communicable diseases, medicines, vaccines, tobacco and alcohol were very minimal. Names and designation of the author/source was available only in 37.6%: Specialists, doctors, medical academics and medical students have authored the majority (79%). 591 CHL had some form of pictures, but in 70%, the pictures were assessed to be irrelevant to the subject matter. Two-thirds were on very socially valuable topics whereas content was appraised to be of poor scientific merit and unreliable in 54%. Conclusions: Tamil newspapers are underutilized in disseminating important health messages to public and there is an urgent need to nurture medical journalism in Sri Lanka.

APPLICATION OF MOBILE TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PROCESS OF TEACHING FUTURE PHYSICIANS AT THE UNIVERSITIES OF THE USA

The development as well as the global and local spread of mobile devices, mainly smart phones and tablets, have led to the emergence of a new direction of electronic learning in the field of higher medical education, namely mobile learning. This phenomenon causes continuous research, study and application of mobile technologies for learning purposes by medical students and academics. In order to make mobile learning effective, higher medical institutions have to take proper measures. The academic staff should create required learning tools and methodological support, provide proper material and technical conditions for the efficient and safe usage of mobile technologies. The researchers should study the experience of developed countries in this direction. A profound analysis of foreign scientific evidence has shown that the USA ranks a leading position in this branch of innovation. This country has a long history of implementing mobile technologies into the undergraduate university training aimed at improving clinical thinking and communication skills of future physicians. Thus, our paper highlights: the conditions of implementation of electronic mobile technologies in the US higher medical education; current state of their application at medical schools and colleges of the USA; the requirements and risks of new technologies application in university training of future physicians; potentials of social media and gaming technologies as the professional training tools at US higher medical institutions. Priceless experience of the USA should be taken into account while designing new curricula and modernizing an academic process at undergraduate level in Ukraine. The preliminary conditions for this process primarily include the use of mobile applications, social media tools and “smart games” for learning. The electronic mobile technologies involving the tactics of a serious learning game are promising and can aid evolution of m-learning in the Ukrainian higher medical education institutions. However, electronic mobile technologies, including the above listed tools applied in the academic process could be beneficial only in case of their gradual, methodologically correct, grounded and controlled implementation and usage involving proper on-line behavior – digital professionalism.

A systematic review of pre-clinical and clinical research reports on small ruminants published during the last six decades in the then East Pakistan and in Bangladesh

Background: A dozen of veterinary academic institutions offer degree courses with pre-clinical and clinical studies and conduct research works but their activities are not coordinated and unified in Bangladesh. An attempt has been made to review the pre-clinical and clinical research reports in small ruminants which would help the concerned academicians, research scientists and research funded organizations to update their knowledge of specialization and use this reference as a starting point for formulation of the future academic and research guidelines. Objectives: The main objectives are to provide an integrated, systematic overview of all the available published research reports on the pre-clinical and clinical aspects of small ruminants to update knowledge and to identify research insights, existing gaps and future research directions. Materials and Methods: The available research reports on pre-clinical and clinical aspects of small ruminants published mainly in journals during the last six decades in Bangladesh from 1966 to 2019 were reviewed. Data obtained were analyzed statistically based on pre-clinical and clinical subjects, host species, age, breeds, clinical prevalence and decade-wise to assess the rate of publication. Results: Of the 665 selected articles, 621 research papers published on small ruminants during the last six decades from Bangladesh were systematically reviewed, of which 340 (54.75%) articles reported as pre-clinical and 281 (45.25%) on clinical aspects with significantly higher rates in goats (n = 486; 78.26%) than sheep (n = 135; 21.74%). Out of 126 recorded clinical diseases and disorders in small ruminants, 125 (99.21%) reported in goats and 44 (34.92%) in sheep, with 43 (34.13%) common in both goats and sheep but only pregnancy toxaemia (0.79%) reported in sheep. The influence of age and breeds on the prevalence of clinical diseases and disorders associated with their morbidity and mortality are described and discussed. Conclusions: This unified review article would serve as a guide for the veterinary medical academicians, research scientists and organizations for future studies and research directions. The disease profiles and their morbidity and mortality status in small ruminants might help the practicing veterinarians, government, human health care providers and neighboring countries who may need to take action.

Activities of Medical Education Unit (MEU) in Medical Colleges of Bangladesh and some challenges faced

Presence of MEU in medical colleges has been made as a measure of activities in National Quality Assurance guidelines for the improvement of medical education as well as faculty development. So, it is imperative to assess its activities in medical colleges for the expected outcomes which might facilitate administrators and policy makers for logical intervention where needed. Considering this matter, a descriptive type of cross sectional study was carried out to assess the status of activities of MEU in medical colleges of Bangladesh. Data was collected from 26 medical colleges of Bangladesh selected by purposive sampling method and 324 related available teachers by convenient sampling methods using a self-administered semistructured questionnaire. Total 26 MEUs coordinators or acting in charge as Key Informants were interviewed by using an interview schedule. A checklist was used for observation of existing MEU while visiting medical colleges for data collection. Principal/Vice Principal of medical colleges had responded to mailed letter as well as telephonic call and replied to have formal MEU at 20 (91%) out of 22 government and at 81 (98.2%) out of 83 non-government medical colleges. Around 87 % faculty members usually attend the MEU activities which is conducted by MEU coordinators in 75 % cases. CME program, pre and para clinical issue related activities occur in 70 % cases. The experiences gained from MEU activities are utilized 88 % in undergraduate class room, 59 % in conducting CME activities and around 50 % in other MEU activities. Staff related, Structural, faculty related, and administrative barriers have been identified by respondents and adequate fund and experienced staffs, motivation of faculty members and continued administrative monitoring can overcome those barriers (is it opinion? Of whom?). Key Informants opined MEU to take leading role in medical education development. Faculty members related to MEU should be adequately trained to impart interactive and effective education in both class room and bedside teaching. Policy level support, specific flow of fund, motivation and will of medical administrators and faculty members and proper monitoring by CME were found to be effective in establishing and functioning MEU in medical colleges.&#x0D; Bangladesh Journal of Medical Education Vol.10(2) 2019: 12-18

The research performance of Iranian medical academics: a National Analyses

BackgroundScientometric studies are one of the most important and useful tools to assess the research performance and knowledge impact of researchers. The aim of this study was to map out the scientific performance of the Iranian medical academics with respect to a detailed range of scientometric indicators.MethodsUsing scientometric approach, individual and scientific performance data of medical academic staff were extracted from the Iranian Scientometric Information Database (ISID). Total number of publications, total number of citations, citation per paper, h-index, international collaboration, self-citation, SJR decile, i10-Index, Quartile distribution were the studied scientometric variables. Out of the registered 19,023 academic staff, 746 were included in the study through simple random sampling method using random sample extraction function in STATA. Data were analyzed using STATA 14 statistical software package.ResultsMost of the included academicians were men (60%). A total of 13,682 articles were published by them until 2018, being cited 114,928 times with a mean of 5.77 citation per paper. H-index median was three and about 90% of the staff had an H-index below 10. Number of published papers, cite per paper and H-index metrics were significantly different with respect to gender, academic position/degree, and general field of study (p < 0.05). About 2.5% of published articles were contributed through international collaboration. The scientometric performance of academic staff was highly diverse with respect to the employing institution and its national classification group (type 1, 2, 3).ConclusionsNevertheless to the great scientific production of medical academics, individual and institutional characteristics were identified as effective variables in academics research performance and should be considered in their assessment. Academicians affiliated with type 2 and 3 universities (based on national ranking of medical universities) had weaker research performance compared to those affiliated with type 1 universities. However, low rate of international research collaborations was a common challenge in medical universities.

The Birth, Death, and Renaissance (?) of Dissection: A Critique of Anatomy Teaching With—or Without—the Human Body

A riveting debate regarding the fate of dissection, the classical method of anatomy, is sweeping through medical academia, as imaging tools gain a greater foothold in anatomy teaching programs. This Perspective does not aim to grapple with the question of "how should anatomy be taught" but rather to explain why the transformation of anatomical education is taking place by situating these developments in the broader philosophical context of modern medicine, offered by Michel Foucault's The Birth of the Clinic: An Archaeology of Medical Perception. Emphasizing the body's crucial role in the epistemological change in medical practice in the early 19th century, Foucault coined the term "medical gaze" to denote the doctor's observation of the patient's body in search of signs of disease. Within this new systematic perception of disease, which brought about the anatomo-clinical method, the clinical gaze thus embraced the study of the body via dissection. The author contends that the introduction of medical imaging into the diagnostic process has resulted in a shift in the focus of the clinical gaze from the body to its medical image and that this process is mirrored in anatomy by its discarding of the cadaver. Given the fundamental differences between the phenomenology of the body and its medical image, the author suggests that when using medical images in medical schools and teaching hospitals, one teaches, at the very least, a new kind of anatomy. Foucault's analysis of the painting The Treachery of Images by Réne Magritte lends some support to the ideas presented here.

Demographic, Clinical and Therapeutic Effects of Intracranial Meningioma

Alireza Khoshnevisan1*, Seyyed Mohsen Hasani Barzi2, Sepideh Shahi3 and Fansu FN Jatta4 Author Affiliations 1Neurosurgeon and Faculty Member of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran 2Neurosurgeon and Faculty Member of Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Iran 3Medical student, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran 4Resident of Neurosurgery, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran Received: November 11, 2019 | Published: November 19, 2019 Corresponding author: Alireza Khoshnevisan, Neurosurgeon and Faculty Member of Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Iran DOI: 10.26717/BJSTR.2019.23.003839

Reflections: Starting an Otolaryngology Medical Student Interest Group.

A decline in applicants for otolaryngology residency spots has been reported. Several possible factors include the lack of exposure to otolaryngology, the lack of role models, work-life balance, and the competitiveness of otolaryngology as a deterrent. Our institution started a medical student interest group to address several of these factors. Key stakeholders who were engaged in this process included medical students, otolaryngology residents, and faculty members. Sustainability of the interest group was investigated with funding and succession planning. Early exposure to otolaryngology through shadowing in the operating room and research projects were initiated with a database on a website. Logistics of starting a club and organizing a clinical skills session were discussed. Awareness of our specialty and branding of the interest group as otolaryngology versus ear, nose, and throat were debated. Starting a medical student interest group in otolaryngology may be an excellent way to foster interest in our specialty.

Challenges In Widening Participation Outreach: Is Enough Being Done To Tackle The Under-Representation Of Low-Income Students In Medicine?

Widening Participation (WP) in medicine refers to all theory, activities and policy concerned with removing barriers to entering medical school for students from lower income and under-represented backgrounds. Medical schools and other institutions including; the Medical Schools Council, the Office for Fair Access, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, have been committed to improving Widening Participation for more than a decade. As senior medical students and academics, we have been actively involved with WP work at our respective medical schools and in conjunction with the British Medical Association (BMA) and the Medical Schools Council (MSC). Yet, we have observed over the years that the pace of change seems sometimes stuttering and stagnated. Here, we have investigated the reasons why there is still such a significant under-representation of students from lower income backgrounds in medicine. In order to make the medical student intake representative of the general population, the number of applications from lower income students would need to increase five-fold. This would require a great scaling up of WP outreach work. Critical analysis demonstrates that medical schools and the other key institutions in medical education have made many nominal commitments to WP, but have yet to make any commitments that are truly binding. This may be due to the institutions lack of belief in their own capacity to scale up WP Outreach sufficiently to achieve success. Ultimately binding commitments will be needed to secure a representative intake of medical students. In order for institutions to be willing to move towards such commitments, evidence-based success in WP must first be demonstrated through collaboration on specific projects that are scalable, sustainable and impactful.

Factors Affecting the Number of Medical Faculty Members Required in Iranian Medical Sciences Universities: An Exploratory Factor Analysis

Background: Because of an increased demand for clinical faculty members in medical departments and no comprehensive model, identifying the affecting factors could be effective in planning in this area. So in this study we aimed to identify the key variables (and their weight) influencing the number of medical faculty members required in Iranian medical sciences universities. Methods: This study was an applied analytical descriptive one. It was a cross-sectional survey and done in Iran using the exploratory factor analysis. The main data collection instrument was a questionnaire and SPSS software version 20 was used for statistical analysis. We used expert opinions to assess the questionnaire’s validity and Cronbach’s coefficient alpha to confirm its reliability. The statistical population consisted of faculty members and directors of medical departments of Iranian medical sciences universities and experts of medical education. The sample size was determined to be 320. Results: Exploratory factor analysis indicated that in an optimal system, nine factors (consisted of 40 variables) titled “research/scholarship services” (14.3%) ,“specialty training” (12.9%), “clinical services” (9.5%), “features of faculty members” (7.5%), “undergraduate training” (6.8%), “university development level” (6.1%), “other characteristics of the university or the region” (5.1%), “desertion rate among faculty members” (4.5%), and “the nature and scope of the specialty” (2.9%) could explain 69.623% of total variance of the rrequired number for medical faculty members. Conclusion: Some of the factors like the volume of “research services” and “undergraduate training” should be considered in estimating the staffing requirements of medical faculty members. Keywords: FACULTY, MEDICAL, REQUIRED WORKFORCE, IRAN, FACTOR ANALYSIS