Journal of Education and Health Promotion

Abstract BACKGROUND: Educational centers accommodate people of varying generations. Indeed, each
generation has its specific priorities and values that affect its performance and decisions in various
aspects, including educational aspects. Understanding the traits of members of a given generation
facilitates understanding how their performance can be improved inside and outside the classroom.
So, this study was designed to identify the non‑educational characteristics of MD students in the
universities of medical sciences in Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study adopted a qualitative exploratory approach.
Data were collected through face‑to‑face, semi‑structured interviews. Participants included general
medicine students who had completed at least one semester. Sampling was purposive with maximum
variation. Sampling was continued until data saturation, and a total of 32 interviews were conducted.
Graneheim and Lundman’s content analysis approach was adopted to analyze the data. Lincoln and
Guba’s reliability criteria were used to achieve the accuracy and reliability of the data.
RESULTS: A total of 32 students were interviewed (n = 18 women and n = 14 men; age range:
19–27 years). The participants had completed 2–13 semesters and had between one and six siblings.
A total of 10 major categories emerged as the generational traits of students. The main categories
included devoted parents, money as the key reference of value, non‑sexism, religious perplexity,
experiencing oneself with others, my life’s address, tunnel vision, evasion from responsibility, winning
fame, and I and nothing else.
CONCLUSION: For them, gender and religion have lost their former meaning and they believe
in more freedom. They are also one‑dimensional people, lethargic and night people, who evade
responsibility and have a strong desire to be seen, approved, and respected. They also prioritize
themselves and their peace of mind. Since these characteristics can have many direct and indirect
effects on various aspects of their lives, including the educational aspect, it can be very beneficial
for people interacting with them to identify and consider these characteristics.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Purpose: The success of any educational system depends on the fitness of the 
curriculum components with the characteristics of its audience. The students of the present generation 
are different from the previous ones due to the changes resulting from the changes that have taken 
place in society, media, technology, and communication as we entered the 21th century. Hence, 
this study was conducted to identify the characteristics of MD students in universities of medical 
sciences in Iran.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted on 32 MD students among 7 
universities of medical universities of Iran. The participants were selected through purposive sampling 
method, and the data were collected via semi‑structured interviews after getting informed consent. 
Then, the data were analyzed using conventional content analysis method.
RESULTS: Technology as a Double-Edged Sword, in digital age, Quick access, Reasoning the basis 
of acceptance. Evaluation ambiguity, Seeking independence,get involved in problems, desirable 
teaching qualities, my favorite teacher, features of content, Role models traces,my favorite teacher, 
The rest are unchanged.
CONCLUSION: MD students are interested in using various teaching methods and technologies, 
applying methods that are similar to their future job and learning by doing; they also tend to use 
visual materials and shortening the time and memorizing content. They prefer professors who love 
to teach and are good role models for them. What motivates them is to be involved in the classroom, 
to be active, to be respected, and not to be ignored.