Evaluation of satisfaction of senior postgraduate students of oral and maxillofacial surgery with the specialty curriculum during the 2016−2017 educational year

Abstract

Objective: Evaluation of the quality of education and the relevant curriculum is one of the most

important steps for optimizing the educational process. One of the ways to address the quality

control is to continuously assess the postgraduate students’ opinions. This study aimed to evaluate

satisfaction of senior postgraduate students of oral and maxillofacial surgery with the specialty

curriculum.

Materials and Methods: The target population in the present cross-sectional study consisted

of all the senior postgraduate students in the field of oral and maxillofacial surgery all over

Iran during the 2016−2017 educational year. The research questions consisted of 3 questions on

demographic variables and 23 on educational variables, the characteristics of clinical education

(including physical conditions and the number and varieties of the patients), the possibility of

access to academic sources, the independent activity of post graduate students in taking history,

the quality of educational activity of the professors, the quality of hospital wards and their interest

in their field of study.

Results: The mean age of the post graduate students was 32.4Å}3.8 and 93.5% % were male.

Among the post graduate students, 58.1% were fully satisfied and 41.9% were moderately satisfied

with the curriculum. A total of 64.5% of the post graduate students were fully satisfied with theoretical

lessons, while 32.3% and 3.2% exhibiting moderate and low satisfaction rates, respectively.

For practical training, 61.3% of the post graduate students were fully satisfied and 38.7% exhibited

a moderate level of satisfaction. In clinical training, 7.38% of the post graduate students reported

full satisfaction, while 58.1% and 3.2% reporting moderate and low rates of satisfaction, respectively.

A total of 58.1% of the post graduate students were moderately satisfied with the facilities

available and 41.9% reported a low satisfaction rate. Satisfaction was the same among females and

males.

Conclusion: Since the educational curricula and the educational facilities have been designed

for high-quality education of the post graduate students, it is necessary to take the necessary steps

to revise the curricula and improve the educational facilities.