Intrduction: Smartphone-based learning is a novel learning technique in medical education. Smartphones have good potentialities to be used as a learning tool for their wide application among students. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of training airway management by utilizing smartphones on the learning of undergraduate medical students. Methods: In this semi-experimental study, it was tried to intervene in the students’ way of learning by using smartphone training application. The participants included 120 undergraduate medical students of School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. Forty students were randomly selected and divided into two groups of control and experimental. Then, teaching through two methods of traditional method (face to face) and combined method (traditional + smartphone-based software) was performed for control and experimental groups, respectively. After that the teaching was finished, the level of knowledge and practical skills of both groups were evaluated. Students' practical skills were assessed using a standard checklist on the moulage. The knowledge score was obtained using a multiple-choice written test. Finally, data were analyzed by SPSS software using independent samples t-test. Results: There was a significant difference between the mean score of knowledge and practical skills of the experimental group when compared to the controls (P < 0.05) and the smartphone application was efficient in improving student learning. Conclusion: Utilizing smartphone application can be a complementary method for traditional education in enhancing medical skills. Accordingly, the use of blended training in medical education is suggested.

Introduction:The purpose of evaluating educational curriculums is to improve training programs. The application of the results obtained from these evaluations is the proof of success or failure of the program. This study was carried out to report codification of operational plan of the clinical competence examination for medical students. Methods: In this descriptive-analytical study, the operating process of evaluation program is explained by details step by step. This survey was based on a questionnaire collected from 200 participants of the first clinical competence examination of medical students. Finally, data were analyzed using SPSS. Results: Of all the participants, 55.8% were female and 44.2% were male. There was no statistically significant difference in score averages between male and female students (14.55 ± 1.72 vs.14.55 ± 1.3; P = 0.970). Mean pre-internship exam score among male students was 126.73 ± 21.04 and 128.18 ± 20.96 among female students, and the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.630). There was a statistically significant but weak correlation between examination and pre-internship scores (r = 0.27, P < 0.001). Exam scores were statistically higher as the absent sessions of students decreased (P = 0.010). Conclusion: Codification of the administrative process and consequently obtaining results has been effective in success of evaluation program and application of the results in future programs. Also it informs authorities how much the goals of training program is satisfied and reminds the necessity of execution of corrective programs.

Introduction: Patients with heart diseases who require emergency care need rapid diagnosis and treatment. Medical students are usually among the first individuals to be trained to help these patients in the course of their internship in the treatment chain and have a significant role in reducing mortality and morbidity among patients with heart diseases referred to the emergency ward. Methods: In this cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study that was conducted in Tabriz, Iran, in 2016, 100 medical students were enrolled in a census course. Knowledge, attitude, and skill of interns toward airway management were evaluated in patients by the students before and after the cardiac internship using a valid and reliable researcher-made self-assessment questionnaire. Data were then analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Although the level of knowledge and skill of the interns before and after the cardiovascular education course was significant (P ≤ 0.001), the knowledge and skill scores were lower than the average before and after the course. There was no significant relationship between the gender of the interns with knowledge, attitude, and skill. There was also no significant relationship between the marital status of the participants and the level of knowledge and skills of the interns. Married people had a more positive attitude toward managing patients with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) compared others (P = 0.013). Conclusion: The level of knowledge and skills of interns in dealing with cardiac patients, before and after the education of cardiac course was low, requiring more attention to training of students in this field.

Background: Due to the limitations of clinical learning and the consideration of patients’ rights, the emphasis on educating clinical and communication skills and creating attitudes in students has received much attention, which requires an appropriate educational environment. Methods: In a descriptive study, we examined challenges and proposed solutions in a clinical skills center in 2017. The study participants were 60 medical students and 29 faculty members at the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences who were selected randomly and followed for 12 months, from October 2016 to October 2017. The classical modified Delphi technique was used to collect data and study execution in three rounds. Results: From the perspectives of academic board members, the most critical weaknesses included "small and limited educational environment of workshops" (weight of consensus=212.5), "severe lack of educational facilities such as simulators" (weight of consensus=158.9), and "lack of adequate facilities for assessing students’ skills" (weight of consensus=140.9) based on the results. From the perspectives of academic board members, the most crucial weaknesses in the field of management and execution were "lack of adequate constructional infrastructure" (weight of consensus=239.2), "lack of adequate funding for the clinical skills center" (weight of consensus=200.1) and "lack of approved organizational chart for clinical skills center" (weight of consensus=200.1). Conclusion: The main challenges of the Clinical Skills Center of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences included the lack of definition of an organizational chart, lack of sufficient funding to provide educational facilities, lack of standard educational space, and clinical skills evaluation, which the Center for Clinical Skills developed. Most of the center’s problems were resolved by allocating sufficient funds to provide educational facilities and cultivate a culture of interdisciplinary collaboration supported by university authorities.