Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 Department of Medical Education, Virtual School of Medical Education and Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2 Department of Community Oral Health, School of Dentistry, Shahid-Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3 Department of Health Management, Policy and Economics, Virtual School of Medical Education and Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
BACKGROUND: In 1985, the Iranian parliament approved the integration of Medical Education and
Health Services and the establishment of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, which has
since been the policymaker of Health Higher Education in Iran. The policies are not based on a codified
framework and many were abolished at some point. Some critical issues are not addressed and some
activities overlap. The purpose of the present study was to identify the content themes of core policies
in the Iranian Health Higher Education system and provide a detailed policy orientation taxonomy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in 2019 using the thematic
content analysis of documents relevant to Higher Education and Health Higher Education, including
upstream documents, and documents and enactments of the Deputy Minister of Education and its
policy centers.
RESULTS: From 586 policy documents, six main themes or six core policy orientations in the
Health Higher Education System were identified, including Development of Medical Education
System Policies; Ensuring the Alignment of Operations with Policies; Policies Related to Medical
Education Development; Value‑orientation; Networking and Development of Medical Education
System Interactions; and the Development of Research, Management, and Translation of Medical
Education knowledge.
CONCLUSION: Developing a taxonomy of Health Higher Education policy orientations helps
policymakers identify the neglected and overstressed areas. It can provide education policymakers
with categorized and comprehensive information to quickly access accurate information, make
informed decisions, avoid mistakes, and increase productivity.
Keywords
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