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Al-Anbar Med J Volume 20, Issue 2 December 2024 Page 158-165, 2024

Abstract Background: Medical ethics are moral values that direct the doctor’s profession to enha... more Abstract

Background: Medical ethics are moral values that direct the doctor’s profession to enhance patient outcomes and community health. It guides doctors' obligations to patients, colleagues, and society, upholding beneficence, nonmaleficence, justice, respect for autonomy, and confidentiality.
Objectives: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of doctors regarding medical ethics.
Materials and methods: An analytic cross-sectional study was conducted in Wasit province, Iraq. A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 258 randomly selected doctors from the three main governmental hospitals in Al-Kut City, Iraq. This questionnaire consisted of four main parts, including sociodemographic features, knowledge (14 items), attitudes (6 items), and practice questions (5 items). In addition to inquiring about who to consult when facing ethical issues.
Results: An analysis of 240 completed questionnaires revealed that the highest percentage of doctors (89.6%) were aware of the importance of confidentiality when treating patients, and the same percentage (89.6%) didn’t agree that consent is required only for surgical intervention. The majority of doctors (88.8%) didn’t agree with helping patients to die even though they requested it. Regarding attitude, most doctors (84.2%) strongly disagreed and disagreed with the commission for sending patients to tests. This was followed by 83.7% who believed that doctors should not tell patients that tests are normal when not conducting them. The highest percentage of doctors mentioned witnessing unethical behavior from their clinical team. Knowledge of doctors was significantly related to their sex and years of experience (P-values = 0.001 and 0.001, respectively). While attitude was related to both job description and years of experience, with a P-value of 0.001 and 0.049. Those doctors who received a medical ethics postgraduate course had a significantly higher percentage of good knowledge scores than those who didn’t receive it (P- value = 0.001). Around 40% of the sample mentioned consulting their families and friends when facing any ethical problem.
Conclusion: Even though the majority of the doctors in this study had good knowledge and positive attitudes toward medical ethics, it was found that new doctors who received postgraduate courses in medical ethics were more knowledgeable than other doctors. By Taqi Mohammed Jwad Taher
etal.
Keywords

Medical ethics Medicine practice Knowledge Attitudes Practice

AM J HEALTH-SYST PHARM, 2018

This commentary provides an overview of the current state of pharmacy education in the United Sta... more This commentary provides an overview of the current state of pharmacy education in the United States, reviews contemporary educational methods that could be applied to existing programs, and addresses the possibility of a shared responsibility through which the pharmacy practice community can increase its involvement in the design, delivery, and oversight of such educational programs.

BMC Medical Education 2014 14:44., 2014

Abstract Background: Teaching and learning of clinical skills for undergraduate medical students ... more Abstract
Background: Teaching and learning of clinical skills for undergraduate medical students usually takes place during the clinical clerkship. Therefore, it is of vital importance to ensure the effectiveness of the rotations within this clerkship. The aims of this study were to develop an instrument that measures the effectiveness of the clinical learning environment, to determine its factor structure, and to find first evidence for the reliability and validity of the total scale and the different factors.
Methods: The Clinical Learning Evaluation Questionnaire (CLEQ) is an instrument, consisting of 40 items, which have been developed after consideration of the results of a qualitative study that investigated the important factors influencing clinical learning, both from the perspective of students, as well as teachers. Results of relevant literature that investigated this issue were also incorporated in the CLEQ. This instrument was administered to a sample of students (N = 182) from three medical colleges in Riyadh city, the capital of Saudi Arabia. The factor structure of the CLEQ (Principal component analysis, Oblimin rotation) and reliability of the factor scales (Cronbach’s ) were determined. Hypotheses concerning the correlations between the different
factors were tested to investigate their convergent and divergent validity.
Results: One hundred and nine questionnaires were returned. The factor analysis yielded six factors: F1 Cases (8 items), F2 Authenticity of clinical experience (8 items), F3 Supervision (8 items), F4 Organization of the
doctor-patient encounter (4 items), F5 Motivation to learn (5 items), and F6 Self awareness (4 items). The overall internal consistency () of the CLEQ was 0.88, and the reliabilities (Cronbach’s ) of the six factors varied from .60 to .86. Hypotheses concerning the correlations between the different factors were partly confirmed, which supported the convergent validity of the factors, but not their divergent validity. Significant ifferences were found between the scores of the students of the three different schools on the factors Supervision and Organization of patient-doctor encounter. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that CLEQ is a multidimensional and reliable instrument. It can be utilized as an evaluation tool for clinical teaching activities, both by educators as well as students. Further research is needed into the validity of the CLEQ.

J Economic and Adminstrative Sciences. 24(106): 23-42, 2018

Abstract: The aim of this research is to identify the level of health services provided in the... more Abstract:
The aim of this research is to identify the level of health services provided
in the health centers operating in the family medicine system in Baghdad, and to determine the extent to which these health centers are applied to the internationally recognized standards , "Defining the quality of service gap between health care centers operating in the family medicine system and the standards adopted by the corresponding international centers (Al-Shabab Model Family Medicine Center, Al-Jahad Family Health Center, Al-Adhamiya Family Health Center, Al-Zawiya Family Health Center), and in view of what our health institutions are facing. The family of primary health care centers has difficulties, obstacles and challenges such as the difficulty of receiving service in some health institutions due to the lack of sufficient number of doctors in the field of family medicine or the presence of momentum for patients in most centers as well as the
weakness of the procedures in a complete and systematic manner, The quality of the health service provided and the method of case study was adopted as a method of research, where the reality of the health service in the health centers was diagnosed through the field visits and the documents, records and interviews that were conducted. (Axis of the patient, ease of access, safety axis, the focus of effective clinical practice, the center of efficiency, the center of appropriate resources), A range of statistical methods were used including (mean, standard deviation, T Test, Gap Measurement, standard diviation S.D) , The extent of the application of the axes for each center was identified , The extent of the application of the examination list axes was also compared between the four
centers and the most applied and least applied axes , This researchers reached a number of important conclusions about the quality of health service in Health care centers , The most important recommendations made by the research are the need to work by the competent authorities to reduce the size of gaps resulting through raising the quality of health service in the health centers working The family medicine system and the interest in providing medicines and equipment and supplies and supervision of the work of the departments and the activation of control.

Canadian Medical Education Journal CMEJ, 2010

Patient safety has now become a mantra of modern medical practice. Rules, laws, guidelines, evide... more Patient safety has now become a mantra of modern medical practice. Rules, laws, guidelines, evidence and best practices are frequently invoked to improve patient safety. These are not new; they have governed the practice of medicine since antiquity.
A set of laws, known as the Code of Hammurabi (circa 1740 B.C.E.) have come down to us from the Babylonians after its namesake, the founder of the Babylonian empire.1 These 282 statues or common laws governed nearly all aspects of social, political, economic and professional life including those pertaining to physicians, surgeons, veterinarians, midwifes and wet nurses. Carefully conscribed details were devoted to specifying the relationship between patients and practitioners, including fees and penalties. Problems of “internal medicine” were dealt with physicians of the priestly class who saw to internal disorders caused by supernatural factors.

The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 16:112-116, 1996

There are more than 500 nationally accredited CME sponsors’ and approximately 2500 additional org... more There are more than 500 nationally accredited CME sponsors’ and approximately 2500 additional organizations that are accredited by state medical societies.’ This latter and larger group is sanctioned to provide CME exclusively on a statewide basis. In general, all 2500 CME accredited organizations are regulated according to the Essentials of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME

Medical Teacher, 2012

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative and absolute importance of i... more Introduction: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relative and absolute importance of individual standards used by accreditation agencies throughout the world. Method: We developed a 150-item survey that consisted of all World Federation for Medical Education standards, supplemented with additional standards used around the world. International accreditation experts rated the standards based on the importance of each standard for ensuring the quality of undergraduate medical education. A 3-point scale was employed: 1 ¼ not important, 2 ¼ important but not essential, 3 ¼ essential. Results: Thirteen of 22 chosen experts anonymously completed the survey (59%). The mean values, over raters, across individual standards ranged from 2.32 to 2.87, indicating that most of the 150 standards are at least important, and often essential, for ensuring program quality. Fourteen standards received the highest rating of 3 (''Essential'') from all experts, and four standards received mean ratings 2.00. Variability in the ratings across the experts for individual standards ranged from 0.00 (unanimous agreement) to 0.76 (moderate disagreement). Conclusions: While there is some global variation in experts' opinions of accreditation standards, certain standards are considered essential. Our summary data are useful for determining best practices for medical education accreditation systems.

The Internet Journal of Law, Healthcare and Ethics., 2006

Background: In principle, the human body represents a forbidden existence in nature, saved and pr... more Background: In principle, the human body represents a forbidden existence in nature, saved and protected against violation which may endanger life. It is in all religions and in man-made ethical and moral code of laws. It allows violating the body integrity in treatment and surgery by consent, on condition that this interference in the human body is limited specifically to those cases that would benefit Health. Hammurabi's Code of Laws was considered the first documented Code ever used by human civilization in Mesopotamia, the cradle of civilization, the land of Assyro-Babylonian culture. We considered to study the text to see the interface between medicine and law in the dawn of civilization. Method: Studying the translated preserved copy of the code and review of literature in Law and medicine to indicate the relevant items which cast a light on the status of law in Ancient civilization of Babylon in Mesopotamia. Results: There were 282 laws, dealing with all aspect of public life, citizen's rights and limits and the Babylon Kingdome's justice system. The following laws are missing: Law numbered (13) and Laws numbered (66-99 inclusive). The Code of Hammurabi described a scaled fee schedule for surgical services, which was linked to the outcome of the surgery so if not met, resulted in severe penalties, required documentation of diseases and therapies, included prescription benefits. The code fully explained patient's rights according of proclaimed King's Code. Discussion: This study elucidated a glimpse on ancient Mesopotamia' society social and judicial order. It gives flavor of rough justice of (Eye for eye) principle. The code by its nature does not show how these laws were implemented. On the other hand due to difficulties in understanding the archeological clay tablets preserved till today did not cast light on the total picture. Hammurabi made the first declaration of human rights in history:"To cause justice to prevail in the land.. ., that the strong may not oppress the weak.. .". The practice of medicine was regulated by the state. Malpractice was recognized and was punishable by law. Hammurabi's Code of Law specified: "If a surgeon performs a major operation on an 'awelum' (nobleman), with a lancet and caused the death of this man, they shall cut off his hands". Hammurabi also specified fees for lifesaving operations: "Ten shekels of silver for 'awelum', five shekels for 'mushkenu' (poor man) and two shekels for a slave." Conclusion: The surgical care was authoritarian; there were possibility of legal actions to insure justice and equity particular to each social class in the kingdom. The Code of Hammurabi can be considered the genesis of the current concepts of health care. There is no final answer. Human civilization continues the drive for better condition of deals committing the justice system to the echo of the society. There is no absolute solution.

BMC Medical Education 24:1362, 2024

Background Competencies-based education has gained global recognition, emphasizing the need for e... more Background Competencies-based education has gained global recognition, emphasizing the need for educators to align educational outcomes with healthcare system requirements. However, limited literature exists on competency frameworks and Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) specific to health professions educationists, hindering the development of tailored Master's programs. Aim This study aimed to develop a competency framework outlining the roles and functions for Master's learners in Health Professions Education (MHPE) and identify the key EPAs that form the foundation of a task-based MHPE curriculum, along with the expected levels of entrustment. Methods An international Delphi study was conducted involving three rounds of surveys and qualitative discussions with an expert panel of health professions educationists from diverse contexts (n = 29). The Delphi technique, including open-ended and quantitative rating scales, was employed to reach consensus on the EPAs and their levels of entrustment. The final list of EPAs was validated using the EQual rubric. Results A total of 16 EPAs were identified and validated, mapped to core and potential roles and functions of health professions educationists. There is less agreement on the level of entrustment that should be attained at the master level, resulting in EPAs that must be fully entrusted before graduation and others which need further development afterwards. Conclusion The study presents a comprehensive competency framework and a set of EPAs tailored for MHPE programs, providing a structured approach to curriculum design and learner assessment. The findings underscore the importance of incorporating context-specific considerations and aligning educational objectives with the evolving roles and responsibilities of health professions educationists.

BMC Med Educ 24, 1342, 2024

Aim There is no conclusive evidence which one is the optimal methodology for enhancing the qualit... more Aim There is no conclusive evidence which one is the optimal methodology for enhancing the quality and efficacy of learning for medical students. Therefore, this systematic review and network meta-analysis aims to evaluate and prioritize various teaching strategies in medical education, including simulation-based learning (SBL), flipped classrooms (FC), problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), case-based learning (CBL), and bridge-in, objective, pre-assessment, participatory learning, post-assessment, and summary (BOPPPS). Methods We conducted a comprehensive systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and some key medical education journals up to November 31, 2023. The following keywords were searched in MeSH: ("medical students") AND ("problem-based learning" OR "problem solving") AND ("Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic"). Two authors independently carried out data extraction and quality assessment from the final selection of records following a full-text assessment based on strict eligibility criteria. Pairwise and network meta-analyses were then applied to calculate pooled standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs) using a random-effects model. Statistical analysis was performed by R software (4.3.1) and Stata 14 software. Results A total of 80 randomized controlled trials with 6,180 students were included in the study. Compared to LBL, CBL (SMD = 1.19; 95% CI 0.49-1.90; p < 0.05; SUCRA = 89.4%), PBL (SMD = 3.37; 95% CI 1.23-5.51; p < 0.05; SUCRA = 93.3%), and SBL (SMD = 2.64; 95% CI 1.28-4.00; p < 0.05; SUCRA = 96.2%) were identified as the most effective methods in enhancing theoretical test scores, experimental or practical test scores, and students' satisfaction scores, respectively. Furthermore, subgroup analysis indicated that CBL (SUCRA = 97.7%) and PBL (SUCRA = 60.3%) were the most effective method for enhancing learning effectiveness within clinical curricula. Conclusions Among the six novel teaching strategies evaluated, CBL and PBL are more effective in enhancing the quality and efficacy of learning for medical students; SBL was determined to offer a superior learning experience throughout the educational process. However, this analysis revealed only minor differences among those novel teaching strategies.

Medical Teacher, 1–5. 1 November 2024, 2024

The importance of the curriculum In medical education, the curriculum is the blueprint for develo... more The importance of the curriculum
In medical education, the curriculum is the blueprint for developing competent, ethical and adaptable healthcare professionals who can meet the needs of patients and society. The curriculum defines the structure, content and approach to training and assessing future physicians and
how students engage with their learning. The curriculum is important for a number of reasons: it communicates to stakeholders including students, teachers, patients and the public more generally what can be expected of the education programme; it provides a benchmark for programme evaluation and for accreditation. If you are a teacher you have a role in designing and implementing the curriculum [1]. Indeed it can legitimately
be argued that this is the teacher’s most important and challenging role and responsibility.

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (AJNU) Volume 8, No 4., 2019

ABSTRACT A taxonomy of assessment types practiced in higher education institutions (HEIs) in gene... more ABSTRACT
A taxonomy of assessment types practiced in higher education institutions (HEIs) in general is briefly reviewed in this study, focusing on specific methods and tools commonly employed at the academic program level with student learning in mind. The work is aimed at complementing the efforts being currently exerted to initiate outcome-based education (OBE) environments in HEIs in the region by drawing attention to some issues that may be observed along the path of obtaining insight into achieving satisfactory results and providing suitable feedback. Suggestions are forwarded aiming at enhancing procedures being employed leading to improvements in various academic institutional and programmatic aspects which quality assurance (QA) and accreditation standards/criteria demand.

Keywords Assessment Types, Program Assessment, Self Assessment Report/Review (SAR), Academic Accreditation, Quality Assurance, Nawroz University

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (AJNU) Volume 7, No 3, 2018

The paper aims at highlighting the significance of alignment in teaching and learning (T&L) activ... more The paper aims at highlighting the significance of alignment in teaching and learning (T&L) activities and processes. Focus is on alignment issues related to learning outcomes (LOs) and assessment at the course level of an undergraduate program in an outcome-based education (OBE) environment. Two tools commonly used at this level are focused on : the course plan (CP) and the course report (CR), the latter also assisting in providing feedback on the level of delivery and achievement of course LOs (CLOs). The general harmony of the contents of the tools with two academic accreditation criteria and standards is also considered. A number of mapping matrices and blueprints considered to be useful for aligning the various course level curriculum components are compiled to be included as part of the documents of the two tools.

J R Coll Physicians Edinb, 2013

Following the end of the First World War, several British orientalists had a significant influenc... more Following the end of the First World War, several British orientalists had a significant influence on politics and development in a number of Arab countries in the Middle East. These include familiar figures such as TE Lawrence in Hejaz, Jordan and Syria, Gertrude Bell in Iraq, Harry St John Philby (later Sheikh Abdullah) in Saudi Arabia and Sir John Glubb (Glubb Pasha) in Jordan. There are however other less well-known individuals, of whom Harry Sinderson Pasha is one. Sinderson was a physician who played a significant role in the development of health and medical education in modern Iraq after it was established by the British in 1920. He was personal physician to the Royal family of Iraq, a confidant to King Faisal I and then to the Prince Regent, and he played an important role in the politics of that period.

Alfatih Journal of Educational and Psychological Research, 2018

Evaluation of the Curricula of Iraqi medical colleges in light of innovation of medical education... more Evaluation of the Curricula of Iraqi medical colleges in light of innovation of medical education. (In Arabic with English abstract)
Ghanim Alsheikh; Omar Mustafa, Talib Jwad Kadhim, Riyadh Sayhoud Alzubaidi, Mousa Muhsin Alalak, Injam Ibrahim Rowandozi.
Abstract :
This review article aims at studying the curricula of Iraqi medical colleges since the establishment of the first college in Iraq in 1927 to date. It attempts to analyse the medical education programmes using known tools of measurement and global in comparison with the steady development of medical curricula in the world. The article shows the evolution of the Iraqi curriculum across the past century and especially during the last three decades. At present time there are three types of curricula that are currently applied in the twenty-five colleges operating in Iraq. The first curricular approach is based on separate scientific and clinical subjects (the Subject Based Curriculum); the second is the integrated curriculum and the third is the problem-based approach. The first approach is characterized by the adoption of the educational process that totally depends on the teacher through lectures and practical lessons (Teacher Centred), including clinical training and the examinations are focused on information more than skills and professional behaviour. The other two methods, however, are based on student in active role in the learning process with varying degrees of implementation. The last two approaches use enquiry-learning methods to investigate student’s learning needs. The integrative approach uses inductive methods of reasoning starting from first year of study, while the problem-based approach uses deductive reasoning in the early years of the study and later uses the inductive reasoning in the rest of the years. This work concludes the inappropriateness of the method of inductive reasoning in the first years of university study as this approach is known to be used by experts and hence students, using this approach, need to be already equipped with ample and relevant information which they can learn better in using the deductive reasoning in the first three years of the six-year medical study.
Keywords: Medical education. Iraqi Medical colleges. Inductive Reasoning. Deductive Reasoning. Problem Based Curriculum. Integrated Curriculum. Subject based Curriculum.

Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2020

In medical education, the curriculum passes through at least four stages between vision and learn... more In medical education, the curriculum passes through at least four stages between vision and learning of students namely: "intended" to "planned" to "implemented" to the "learned" curriculum. The most important safeguard for keeping these formats compatible is the quality of the aims and objectives. This editorial describes the hierarchy of the educational objectives, their importance, types, sources, and qualities and best ways to formulate effective learning objectives that link learning and outcomes to the vision and consequent aims. Also, the article highlights the common misjudgements and misuses of the learning objectives which may produce different and certainly poorer outcomes than those planned for.

TUCOM MIRROR Magazine, year [9], issue [15]. January [1999]: pp. 4-5., 1999

How is the Curricular Development of Iraqi Medical Colleges Shaping Up: Moving Away from or Towar... more How is the Curricular Development of Iraqi Medical Colleges Shaping Up: Moving Away from or Toward Tikrit curriculum? *
By Ghanim Alsheikh, Dean of Tikrit University College of Medicine-TUCOM, Iraq. *Originally published in Arabic in “TUCOM MIRROR” Magazine, year [9], issue [15]. January [1999]: pp. 4-5. See below original article in Arabic. Summary
As we reflect, now (1999), on the culmination of ten academic years since the inception of studies at the Tikrit University College of Medicine, (TUCOM), the question arises: how has the trajectory of curricular development evolved in other medical colleges in Iraq? This inquiry explores whether this progression in other colleges steers away from or aligns with Tikrit's philosophy and principles. The genesis of this experiment dates to the pioneering approval decision by the Council of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research on September 28, 1989. This marked a watershed moment as it permitted the adoption of an innovative curriculum, a departure from tradition since the founding of Iraq's first medical college in Baghdad in 1927. The subsequent decade-long journey has been marked by challenges, resistance, and yet, a profound sense of fulfillment in overcoming obstacles. This transformative journey was not a mere indulgence in novelty but a response to an imperative need for change. It aimed to address myriad issues plaguing traditional curricula, aligning with a national imperative to nurture a cadre of healthcare professionals equipped for the demands of the twenty-first century. Central to this endeavor was the imperative to imbue students with knowledge, skills, and ethical moorings commensurate with global standards in medical education. The divergence in curricula among colleges precipitated a discourse spearheaded by stakeholders, chiefly the Ministry of Health. A dedicated unit, the Medical Education Development, was established to evaluate Tikrit's innovative educational paradigm. This endeavor garnered international recognition, with bodies such as the World Health Organization engaging in evaluative studies. Concurrently, seminars and workshops proliferated across Iraqi medical colleges, fostering dialogue and exchange of ideas. The momentum for educational reform cascaded to the highest echelons of governance, with the President's vested interest catalyzing the establishment of development councils for each medical college. These councils, comprising esteemed retirees and senior faculty members, operated under the aegis of a supervisory committee linked to the Office of the President. This institutional backing galvanized efforts to enhance medical education, manifesting in infrastructural improvements and enhanced faculty welfare. Key milestones punctuated this epoch of reform, notably a national symposium convened at the University of Baghdad's College of Medicine and a national training workshop on curriculum development. These events, graced by ministerial dignitaries and international experts, underscored the commitment to chart a progressive course for medical education. The symposium and workshop yielded a corpus of recommendations aimed at refining curricula and pedagogical approaches. Emphasis was placed on fostering active learning through discussion forums and integrating interdisciplinary perspectives. Additionally, there was a concerted effort to streamline syllabi, introducing contemporary modules reflective of evolving healthcare landscapes. In summary, the recommendations emanating from these deliberations resonate with the ethos that underpins the Tikrit College of Medicine's educational paradigm. They herald a convergence towards a model applied in Tikrit College of Medicine since 1989 which prioritizes experiential learning, interdisciplinary integration, and a holistic approach to medical education through PBL. Key words: medical curricula, Iraq, 1999. Words: 487.

Kirkuk Journal of Medical Sciences, 2024

The recent recognition of Iraq's National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) b... more The recent recognition of Iraq's National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) marks a crucial step towards enhancing medical education quality. However, this acknowledgment brings responsibilities. Both NCAMC and Iraqi medical colleges must embrace continuous quality improvement methodologies like the PDSA/PDCA cycles and innovate in education for sustainability. Iraqi medical colleges should view accreditation as the beginning of a comprehensive journey towards excellence, integrating total quality management principles into their operations and striving for innovation beyond basic standards. NCAMC, on the other hand, must leverage this recognition to drive substantial improvements, including establishing an online database for self-evaluation data and addressing internal challenges like funding and assessor development. Strategic collaboration between NCAMC, medical colleges, and stakeholders is vital to maximize accreditation's impact on healthcare outcomes and education effectiveness. In conclusion, WFME's recognition signifies a commitment to excellence in Iraqi medical education, necessitating collaborative efforts for continuous improvement and a brighter future in healthcare education and outcomes.

The Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2021

The gradual decline of doctor-patient communication skills and professional attitudes and behavio... more The gradual decline of doctor-patient communication skills and professional attitudes and behaviour have steadily been observed in all countries across the globe. This deterioration has resulted in repeated and renewed demands to make medical schools more aligned to the necessity to train professional behaviours in undergraduate medical study. Medical educators have been criticised for not effectively training and rigorously assessing these skills. Training of behaviour has been abstracted in teaching of ethics and communication skills which in most of the cases is based on theoretical "preaching" lectures and use of book/guide and in some cases, training using supervised role-playing sessions at the best of options. Although good communication skills are essential for an optimal doctor-patient relationship and certainly contribute to improved health outcomes, still other aspects of behaviour are not covered. Furthermore, while the need for training on professional behaviour is specified as a requirement in the adopted graduate outcomes, formal training in these skills has been fragmentary and not clearly addressed in curriculum documents of the medical colleges in Iraq. A practical approach is here proposed to support medical colleges to bridge this gap. The methods of design, construction and use of standardised checklists for training medical students and assessing their acquisition of behavioural (affective) skills is described

East Mediterr Health J., 2022

Background: The first medical college in Iraq was established in 1927, adopting a subject-based c... more Background: The first medical college in Iraq was established in 1927, adopting a subject-based curriculum. Aims: To provide a description of undergraduate medical education curricula in Iraq and how they developed since 1927. Methods: We identified Iraqi medical schools and curricula from local and global directories. Curricular data were compared to 3 educational benchmarks (Dale's effectiveness of teaching methods, SPICES, Miller's pyramid). We searched for studies describing curricula and modernization. Results: There are 34 medical colleges in Iraq (32 with identified curricula) with a wide scope of visions and aims adopting 3 types of curriculum: subject-based (SBC) 20 (63%), integrated (IC) 10 (31%) and problem-based learning (PBLC) 2 (6%). The majority of updates were SBC to IC, with only 1 moving from SBC to PBLC. The predominant type of curriculum at the start of instruction is SBC or IC. Although PBLC and IC provide opportunities for inquiry-driven competencies in the first 3 years only, none provide such opportunities in the clinical phase (last 3 years). Conclusions: Curricular reform needs to focus on modernizing the learning process/outcomes rather than reorganization of the teaching only. A new approach is needed to provide opportunities for competence and experience to prepare doctors to deal with challenges. One such approach would be the adoption of an outcomes-based curriculum model based on domains of competence with clearly defined outcomes/competencies achievable the time of graduation. All curricula should lead to the achievement of the same outcomes.

Al-Anbar Med J Volume 20, Issue 2 December 2024 Page 158-165, 2024

Abstract Background: Medical ethics are moral values that direct the doctor’s profession to enha... more Abstract

Medical ethics Medicine practice Knowledge Attitudes Practice

AM J HEALTH-SYST PHARM, 2018

BMC Medical Education 2014 14:44., 2014

J Economic and Adminstrative Sciences. 24(106): 23-42, 2018

Canadian Medical Education Journal CMEJ, 2010

The Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. 16:112-116, 1996

Medical Teacher, 2012

The Internet Journal of Law, Healthcare and Ethics., 2006

BMC Medical Education 24:1362, 2024

BMC Med Educ 24, 1342, 2024

Medical Teacher, 1–5. 1 November 2024, 2024

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (AJNU) Volume 8, No 4., 2019

Keywords Assessment Types, Program Assessment, Self Assessment Report/Review (SAR), Academic Accreditation, Quality Assurance, Nawroz University

Academic Journal of Nawroz University (AJNU) Volume 7, No 3, 2018

J R Coll Physicians Edinb, 2013

Alfatih Journal of Educational and Psychological Research, 2018

Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2020

TUCOM MIRROR Magazine, year [9], issue [15]. January [1999]: pp. 4-5., 1999

Kirkuk Journal of Medical Sciences, 2024

The Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2021

East Mediterr Health J., 2022

THE BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL, 1928

This BMJ article, is the first ever published mention of the first medical college established in... more This BMJ article, is the first ever published mention of the first medical college established in Baghdad, Iraq in 1927. EXCITING HISTORY.
The conclusion of a new treaty of alliance between Great Britain and Iraq (writes a correspondent), and the prospect of the early admission of Iraq to the League of nations, has brought into prominence the political and economic progress of "The Land of Two Rivers" since the accession of King Faisal. In educational matters, too, great strides have been made, and the infant Al-Al-Beit University of Baghdad already possesses Faculties of Religion, Agriculture, and Medicine.

Second Conference on Medical Education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region, Teheran. 12 - 19 December 1970. Report; pages: 63-72. ., 1970

This presentation describes the first "Integrated" curriculum implemented in medical school in th... more This presentation describes the first "Integrated" curriculum implemented in medical school in the American University of Beirut-AUB in the academic year 1966-1967. This "modules" curriculum was the first ever implemented in the Middle East region based on the Western Reserve integrated module curriculum which has been implemented in 1955 for first time in the USA. At that time, some experiments were attempted in Mosul Medical College in Iraq to introduce integration in the year 1965-1966 and continued for the following years but faded out and weakened gradually to end in the 1970s.
The rapid expansion of medical knowledge and the major changes resulting therefrom in the ways in which disease may be managed necessitates a careful reappraisal of the education systems used to prepare students for careers In medicine. The subject content presented to the student must be continually revised and scrutinized with the aim of selecting the principles and topics most appropriate and relevant to the objectives of the school concerned. What may be good for one school may not be necessarily so for another. A variety of factors have great bearing on the curriculum and its implementation: the availability of teachers and their number in relation to that of the students; t he quality of premedical preparation of the students, textbooks, language of instruction, to mention only a few. Schools the world over are spending a great deal of energy and money studying and revising their curriculum in
ane effort to present the most relevant and basic knowledge in the most effective and economical way. One approach that seems to be gaining favour I s the integrated approach whereby knowledge from the various disciplines is integrated into topics and presented by specialists in these disciplines working as a team.

WHO-EMRO Second Regional Conference on Medical Education, Teheran, 12-19 December, 1970

Evaluation of Medical Education from the students’ Point of View. By Dr. Dawood Salman Ali and D... more Evaluation of Medical Education from the students’ Point of View.
By Dr. Dawood Salman Ali and Dr. H.J.X. Fernandes (Dr Ali: President of the Interim Executive Committee, Association of Medical Schools in the Middle East, Head department of medical education at the ministry of higher education and scientific research. Dr Fernandes: UNESCO Consultant, Centre for Educational Research, University of Baghdad, Baghdad.

This comprehensive report contains important early work in medical education in the region. A total of 884 students from the medical colleges in Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, Tunisia and the United Arab Republic form the sample for the study. On teaching,87% of the students think that teaching in the college can be improved. Students suggest that it is a mistake to identify teaching with dictation of notes? "Lectures must be for explaining text-books and references and not for dictation". The article contains choices of students in regard to many other important issues.

Medical Education, 1978

report on using new teaching methods for final year medical student in Mosul College of Medicine ... more report on using new teaching methods for final year medical student in Mosul College of Medicine in the early 1970s which included students-managed seminars, tutorials and clinical meetings.The article reported the opinion of students from 4 batches on these 3 methods as compared to the "traditional" teacher-geared bedside teaching sessions.

Medical Education, 1983

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the competence of rotating residents in handling cli... more The present study was undertaken to evaluate the competence of rotating residents in handling clinical problems, falling under the purview of the major clinical disciplines, which they come across during their routine work. Three hundred and one rotating residents (55% of the total) who graduated in June 1981 from the four universities of Iraq, namely, Mustansiryia, Basrah, Mosul and Baghdad, and were currently undergoing their residency posting in the various hospitals of Iraq were selected for the study. Two approaches were used to assess the level of competence: first, on the basis of the resident's responses to fifty simulated patient-management problems and, secondly, their critical performance in patient care adjudged by their respective supervisors. A minimum passing level (MPL) was fixed for patient management problems (PMP). The score for the consultant's observations could range from-70 to + 100 to represent the very poor and the very good performance. Only 2% of the residents were found to have reached the minimum pass level of competence taking their overall performance in the various disciplines. No significant variation in performance was observed in relation to the university of graduation. None of the residents could reach the MPL in

Medical Teacher, 5:4, 137-143, 1983

It has become increasingly apparent that traditional medical education serves badly the need of m... more It has become increasingly apparent that traditional medical education serves badly the need of many developing countries to provide effective health care for widely dispersed and often poor communities. This article describes a training programme developed in Iraq to provide final-year medical students with stimulating practical experience in community health care.

J. Faculty Med. Baghdad, 1984

Mustafa Al-Sheikh, GY and Almallah, ZY. 1984. Evaluation of effectiveness of audiovisual aids in ... more Mustafa Al-Sheikh, GY and Almallah, ZY. 1984. Evaluation of effectiveness of audiovisual aids in teaching undergraduate medical students: an intervention study. J. Faculty Med. Baghdad 26: 42-45. ISSN: 00419419. In a Neurosciences lecture, second year Basra medical college students (180) were divided into 2 groups A and B. Group A received leaflets with blank figures of different sections of brain. The lecturer will project these figures on screen using OverHead Projector (OHP) and will describe, discuss and label and add notes on the displayed figures. Group B of students did not receive leaflets as the normal procedure during lectures. A quiz on the topic of the lecture composed of 10 MCQ of analytical nature was conducted. There was a significant statistical difference in achievement of the students in the two groups in favour of group A. Further study is needed to test the long-term effect of use of such audiovidual aid on students learning achievement.
Presentation to the Annual Conference of faculty of Medicine Baghdad.

Curriculum and Syllabi for Iraqi medical Colleges, 1983

Translation of the introduction to the “unified curriculum document for Iraqi medical colleges” w... more Translation of the introduction to the “unified curriculum document for Iraqi medical colleges” written by Professor Dawood Al-Sana’a, Dean of Al-Mustansiriyah University College of Medicine. “The ministry of higher education and scientific research asked for convening a congress to develop the curriculum of the first year of the Iraqi medical colleges. Accordingly, a conference was held in Baghdad University College of
Medicine on 9th June 1982 where a decision was made to hold further
conferences to discuss and revise the curriculum of all the years of medical study. All participants approved the decision and requested that the Basra University College of Medicine to prepare a “working paper” to be submitted to the second conference as a guide for the process of curriculum development. The second conference was held in Mosul University College of Medicine 6-8 November 1982 where the curriculum and syllabi were discussed by the heads of each of the departments in addition to discussing the Basra working paper. During the third conference was held in Al-Mustansiriya College of Medicine 3-5 May 1983, a decision was made to adopt the recommendation of heads of
each of the departments. The conference chose a committee from the hosting college to design the curricula, syllabi and to follow up the printing of the document. The committee was headed by Professor Yousif Zayya Abbou, head of department of Pharmacology with two members: Dr Salman Shafiq Salman, head of department of Anatomy/Histology/Embryology and Dr Nazar Kairrideen Al-Naseri, head of department of Pathology.

Originally, in 1969, the first edition was written for teachers of the health sciences. Subsequen... more Originally, in 1969, the first edition was written for teachers of the health sciences. Subsequently, however, the Handbook was used above all by hundreds of participants in meetings organized by WHO or held withWHO assistance (educational planning workshops, teachingm ethodology seminarse, tc.......). A survey of 2OO users carried out in 1975 revealed the following opinions. A very small minority (10%) felt that the Handbook should be supplied only to participants in controlled educational activities (workshops, seminars, courses, etc.) or reserved for "teachers of teachers". Tbe maiority, bouteuer, felt that dissemination should be as uside as possible, and be directed to all teachers of health sciences at all levels, to health administrators with staff supervision responsibilities, and to students, so as to help them to draw maximum benefit from their learning activities and participate in their organization. The latest poll, conducted in 1978, produced very apposite comments from about 100 users in all parts of the world and the consensus is still in favour of the widest possible distribution. Many teachers of the various health professions (dentists, nurses, sanitary engineers, physicians, pharmacists, etc.) have stated that the Handbook answers their needs, but some think that the author's training as a physician has still too often biased the choice of examples. A further effort has been made with this 1981 edition to produce a text better suited to eagryone working in the health professions.lt is, however, very difficult to strike a perfect balance, for many reasons.

Program Evaluative Studies, 1999

This is a snapshot summary of the curriculum document of Tikrit University College of Medicine (T... more This is a snapshot summary of the curriculum document of Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) which was adopted as the first PBL innovative program in Iraq in 1989.

Reform of the Higher Education in Iraq, 1989

نسخة نادرة من كتاب "إصلاح التعليم العالي في العراق" والذي نشر عام 1989 لمؤلفه الأستاذ الدكتور منذ... more نسخة نادرة من كتاب "إصلاح التعليم العالي في العراق" والذي نشر عام 1989 لمؤلفه الأستاذ الدكتور منذر الشاوي عندما كان وزيراً للتعليم العالي والبحث العلمي ويتضمن محاور وأفكار لاتزال حتى اليوم صالحة لاتباعها في أي عملية لإصلاح
التعليم في العراق. رحم الله العالم الكبير المرحوم الدكتور منذر الشاوي
Reform of the Higher education in Iraq, by Professor Muther Alshawi, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific research in Iraq in 1989..

The New England Journal of Medicine Vol 327 (13): 931-937, 1992

This important early SPECIAL article reports the effect of malnutrition on >16,000 children due t... more This important early SPECIAL article reports the effect of malnutrition on >16,000 children due to the economic sanctions imposed on Iraq by teh UN Security Council since Agu 1990.

World Health Organization, 2000

The ‘brain drain’ of the past 15 years has left the Northern Governorates desperately short of sk... more The ‘brain drain’ of the past 15 years has left the Northern Governorates desperately short of skilled medical, nursing and paramedical staff. Most hospitals lack consultants in a number of specialties and only a third of primary health care centres are staffed by doctors. This not only affects patient care but also limits career development for young doctors.

Alef-Ba Weekly Magazine, 1993

A translated article on interviews with dean and number of students on their experience and opini... more A translated article on interviews with dean and number of students on their experience and opinion on the new PBL curriculum adopted by Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) since its foundation in 1988. The article was published, in Arabic language, in the Iraqi weekly magazine "Alef-Ba" in 1993.

Abstracts of Saddam College of Medicine Conference on Medical Education, Baghdad 17-18 May, 1995

The abstract describes a new integrated blocks based on clinical complaints rather than disease f... more The abstract describes a new integrated blocks based on clinical complaints rather than disease for the fifth year undergraduate medical study in Iraqi medical colleges.

Abstracts: International Conference on Quality Assessment in Health Professions Education with Special Emphasis on Social Accountability, Manila, the Philippines, November 26- December 1, 1995

Learning styles of medical students from four Iraqi medical colleges were evaluated on the Lancas... more Learning styles of medical students from four Iraqi medical colleges were evaluated on the Lancaster Inventory. Marked differences were detected among students from Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) in comparison with students from the other three colleges.

Yemen Medical Journal, 1995

This is a brief description of the new program adopted by Tikrit University College of Medicine, ... more This is a brief description of the new program adopted by Tikrit University College of Medicine, Tikrit, Iraq since its establishment in 1989. The curriculum is based on 4 educational strategies of learning in being: Student-Centred, problem-based, fully integrated and community-oriented. The factors supporting each strategy and the 6-year projection of the program are described.

TUCOM MIRROR, 1997

Evaluative feedback on Tikrit educational programme. After the students of the second session gra... more Evaluative feedback on Tikrit educational programme.
After the students of the second session graduated in June [1996] and after spending six years of study, our college will have completed seven years of its life and entered its eighth year and graduated two sessions of young doctors who have spread in health institutions within their country with a number of other young Arab doctors who have spread in their countries, such as Jordan, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE, to begin their practical lives in applying the skills and behavior they acquired during their studies to support and achieve health for all, and thus the college has achieved part of its general goals set for it. The information that the college receives through these graduates or students during their summer training is considered an important part of the process of evaluating the academic program, in addition to the official and unofficial reports that we receive from experts who conduct a field evaluation of the college. The reports are as follows: The first text: Part of a letter we received from one of our Arab students while he was training in Sana’a Hospital in Yemen after he passed the fifth grade. Five months have passed since his graduation and after his admission to postgraduate studies for board study and the third text: Part of the official report approved by the World Health Organization from the organization’s expert who conducted the evaluation. The academic program of our college in June [1995] and the fourth text: Initial impressions of the college for the head of the team in charge of evaluating the performance of the college and in charge of a ministerial order from the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research / the inspection body, who visited the college on [25-12-1996].
بعد تخرج طلبة الدورة الثانية في حزيران [1996] وبعد قضاء ست سنوات دراسية تكون كليتنا قد أتمت سبع سنوات من عمرها ودخلت في عامها الثامن وخرجت دورتين من الأطباء الشباب الذين انتشروا في المؤسسات الصحية داخل القطر مع عدد آخر من الأطباء العرب الشباب الذين انتشروا في أقطارهم المختلفة كالأردن واليمن والسعودية والإمارات ليبدؤوا حياتهم العملية في تطبيق ما اكتسبوه من مهارات وسلوك أثناء دراستهم لدعم الصحة وتحقيقها للجميع وبهذا تكون الكلية قد حققت جزءا من أهدافها العامة المرسومة لها. وتعتبر المعلومات التي تصل الكلية عن طريق هؤلاء الخريجين أو الطلبة أثناء تدريبهم الصيفي جزءا مهما من عملية تقويم البرنامج الدراسي بالإضافة الى ما يردنا من تقارير رسمية وغير رسمية من خبراء يقومون بإجراء تقويم ميداني للكلية وفي هذا العدد من "مرآة الكلية" سنورد نصوصا من مثل هذه التقارير وكالآتي النص الأول: جزء من رسالة وردتنا من أحد طلبتنا العرب وهو يتدرب في مستشفى صنعاء باليمن بعد نجاحه الى الصف الخامس وهو من طلبة الدورة الأولى وتخرج فعلا عام [1995] والنص الثاني: رسالة وردتنا من أحد خريجي كليتنا الدورة الأولى [1995] وبعد مضي خمسة أشهر على تخرجه وبعد قبوله في الدراسات العليا لدراسة البورد والنص الثالث: جزء من التقرير الرسمي الذي اعتمدته منظمة الصحة العالمية من خبير المنظمة الذي قام بتقويم. البرنامج الدراسي لكليتنا في حزيران [1995] والنص الرابع: الانطباعات الأولية عن الكلية لرئيس الفريق المكلف بتقويم أداء الكلية والمكلف بأمر وزاري من وزارة التعليم العالي والبحث العلمي / جهاز التفتيش والذي قام بزيارة الكلية في [25-12-1996].

Medical Journal of Tikrit University; 3: 209-214, 1997

This study hypothesizes that objective learning in medical schools, when compared with subject-ba... more This study hypothesizes that objective learning in medical schools, when compared with subject-based, offers students unlimited number of real opportunities to discover early the importance of professional skills they need to acquire during study years. Twenty percent of medical students from Basrah, Mosul and Tikrit universities were asked to indicate the importance of 16 equally important skills ranging from decision-making, self-learning to clinical and communication and administrative skills. More than 50% of students from Tikrit indicated the importance of 15 skills compared with only 5 skills from Mosul and Basrah. This is attributed to the effect of the problem-based objective curriculum adopted by Tikrit only as compared with the subject-based curriculum adopted by Mosul and Basrah colleges.

The Newsletter, The Network of Community-Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences, Issue no. 27, June 1997, Page 13, 1997

With close inspiration of recommendations no. 9 of Edinburgh Declaration (1988) and no. 4 of the ... more With close inspiration of recommendations no. 9 of Edinburgh Declaration (1988) and no. 4 of the WHA48-8 (1995) urging for facilitation of cooperation between MOH and ME, the Ministerial Consultation on ME and Health Services was organized in Cairo (Egypt) December 1995, by the WHO/EMRO. details of collaboration between MoH Iraq and medical college of Tikrit.

Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 1997

The University of Basrah College of Medicine, established in 1967, is one of nine medical college... more The University of Basrah College of Medicine, established in 1967, is one of nine medical colleges in Iraq that serve to supply the nation with its medical workforce at both general and specialist levels. Basrah Medical College is the sole medical school in the southern region of Iraq. For the last three years it has made an attempt to establish a new pattern of alliance with the health authorities in Basrah, which belong to the Ministry of Health, in order to pursue and express its social accountability. Following the Declaration of Alma-Ata, in 1978, Basrah Medical College initiated a project to incorporate primary health care programmes in undergraduate medical education. The project involved selecting a field practice demonstration area in Abu-Al-Khassib district in southern Basrah. Last year medical students were posted in the health centres distributed within the district for one month per group.

Iraqi Academy of Sciences Conference, Baghdad 22 May, 1997

إنه من البديهي التفكير بالقوى البشرية العاملة كبداية للتفكير في نقل وتوطيد التقانة حيث لايمكن ذلك... more إنه من البديهي التفكير بالقوى البشرية العاملة كبداية للتفكير في نقل وتوطيد التقانة حيث لايمكن ذلك بدون وجود قوى عاملة قادرة على إحداث مثل هكذا تغيير تطويري كبير. وتعتبر عملية إعداد وتعليم وتدريب القوى البشرية العاملة أول الخطوات الواجب وجودها لخلق القوة البشرية الحرجة اللازمة لعملية النقل (Critical Mass)

Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 1997

Basrah University College of Medicine organized a two-day symposium on “Health development in Bas... more Basrah University College of Medicine organized a two-day symposium on “Health development in Basrah Governorate, Southern Iraq ” in collaboration with the Directorate of Health Service / Ministry of Health during the period 24-25 April, 1996. The symposium represents a step forward on the path towards achieving the college commitment of being socially accountable. Social accountability is now recognized as an aim which medical colleges should aspire to achieve by redirecting their education research and service activities towards addressing the priority health concerns of the community they have to serve (WHO: Defining and measuring social accountability of medical schools, 1995). Promotion of a spirit of alliance and partnership with health authorities is essential, a sina qua non, to achieve this purpose.

The 20 th Anniversary Conference of The Network of Community Oriented Educational Institutions for Health Sciences, Mexico City, October 19-24, 1997

The participation of community in medical education and health care delivery is still facing nega... more The participation of community in medical education and health care delivery is still facing negative reactions like suspicion, ignorance and refusal by health educators and personnel. It is hypothesized that the precedented negative opinion of doctors on the rural community and the lack of community-based training in medical curriculum play a role in determining such reaction. A total of 90 students entering Tikrit University College Of Medicine (November 1995) were asked to score their degree of agreement on 12 issues regarding the ability and readiness of rural community to work as partners to health personnel in promoting health. Results showed negative response towards possible partnership in 5 questions (mean as low as 1.77  S.D. 0.97 on a 5-point Likert scale). Meanwhile, students indicated a positive opinion on 2 questions regarding importance of the reaction of community members towards care and their cooperation nature (mean as high as 4.29  S.D. 0.93). It is concluded that students entering medical school and starting their professional life are overwhelmed by negative attitudes towards possible partnership with community although they think that the cooperative community reaction should be taken into account. To develop the positive attitude of students (future care givers and medical educators) towards community participation needs a well-structured and evidence-based curricular training programs dealing with such participation.

WHO National Symposium on Integration of the Concepts of Essential Drugs and Rational Drug Use in Medical School Curricula, Baghdad 13-15 January1997., 1997

Tikrit University College Of Medicine adopts an innovative community-oriented, problem-based curr... more Tikrit University College Of Medicine adopts an innovative community-oriented, problem-based curriculum since its establishment in 1989. Both vertical and horizontal full integration is achieved through the learning activities arranged around health problems. Each year is divided into 2-12 weeks long blocks according to system-organ themes. Each week starts and ends in a structural discussion based on the 7-jumps problem solving analysis. In between the two discussions, different learning activities in various medical sciences and disciplines take place. Among these, pharmacology is taught and learnt throughout the six years of study making a total of 133 hrs. These hours are divided into 7 hours in Year 1; 21 in Year 2; 24 in Year 3; 35 in Year 4; 34 in Year 5 and 12 hrs in Year 6. Based on different problems, integrated learning emphasises specially on criteria for use of recommended drugs and criteria for choosing therapeutic regimes. Evaluation is achieved through objective assessment including theory MCQs, OSCE, and OSPE practical assessment stations. Scores on pharmacology or any other science are calculated according to blocks and not in regard to scientific subjects.

Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 1997

Clinical teaching and training in medical colleges face number of challenges when different relat... more Clinical teaching and training in medical colleges face number of challenges when different related educational activities are compared to innovative criteria like integration and systematic approach. The traditional discipline-based rotation of the medical students’ groups in their first year of clinical phase (year4 medical study) is deficient. What is taught in different disciplines is largely opportunistic and usually based on unpredicted clinical situation and on patients’ availability and on interest of the staff concerned. In a planned and systematic teaching and training, all students cover all core and essential curriculum components. The described newly implemented "curriculum" in 1992 is based on clinical discepline rather than on disease categorization.

The Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 1998

Student Self Assessment as an integral part of medical curriculum. Abbas Al-Dujaily, Abd I Allan,... more Student Self Assessment as an integral part of medical curriculum. Abbas Al-Dujaily, Abd I Allan, GY Mustafa-Alsheikh. Most medical curricula focus on theory and ignore behaviour and attitude despite recognized importance. In Tikrit University College of Medicine, a special check list is used twice a week by students after each PBL small group discussion to (1) self assess, (2) peer assess and (3) assess facilitator to tick negative input on five areas namely: presence, time compliance, group dynamics and 7 jumps and negative attitude. This study showed Reliability of scores on 1530 form analysed as follows: presence 67%, time compliance33%, group dynamics and 7 jumps 65% and negative attitude 30%. There is a need to plan a programme to motivate students to use forms and to explain what each area means (table 1.)

Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 1999

This study aimed at evaluating medical graduates' performance (application of knowledge, data-gat... more This study aimed at evaluating medical graduates' performance (application of knowledge, data-gathering skills, clinical judgment, and professional attitudes) from their seniors' point of view. A total number of 155 graduates (22 from TUCOM, 133 from Baghdad, Mustansiriyah, Mosul, Basrah, and Anbar colleges of medicine) who are currently spending their 2 years residency in hospitals in Saladdin, Baghdad, Ta'amim, Babil, Ninevah, and Diyala. The questionnaire filled by the current senior contains 19 items representing the 4 areas of performance. Equal mean scores were obtained in 5 out of 6 questions of the field of data-gathering skills. Other colleges graduates shows higher scoring than TUCOM graduates in only 2 questions (one in the field of data-gathering skills and one in the filed of clinical judgment). TUCOM graduates show higher scoring in the field of professional attitudes (7 out of 8 questions) and in 2 out of 3 questions of application of knowledge. No significant differences were found between mean scoring and graduation marks of all the graduates from TUCOM (P>0.5) and other colleges (P>0.5). These results may be attributed to differences in curricula with an ability to solve health problems, integration of medical sciences, and early exposure to community health-needs in problem-based competency-based community-oriented curriculum adopted in TUCOM. Continuous evaluating programs in the postgraduate period can provide medical colleges with valuable information about the competence of their graduates and clues to possible weakness points in their educational programs.

Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 1999

Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) has, since its foundation in 1989, adopted student-... more Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) has, since its foundation in 1989, adopted student-centred, problem based, fully integrated and community-oriented community-based educational strategies. The unified Iraqi national medical curriculum adopted by other Iraqi colleges included longitudinal community medicine subject in third year (weekly 2 hours theory) and in fourth year (weekly 3 hours theory and 3 practical). Among the practical classes, students play a passive role as they are guided through out-of-campus observational visits to factories, plants and alike. Community oriented and community based curriculum is needed to overcome the domination of campus and hospital based training of medical students.

Medical Journal of Tikrit University; 5: 117-122, 1999

The ability to make decisions and self reliance are essential to the doctor to be able to perform... more The ability to make decisions and self reliance are essential to the doctor to be able to perform competently. The competency based problem based educational programme at Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) include considerable learning and training opportunities for students to acquire number of essential competences as early as first year. The ability to rely on own self and make decisions are among the hidden curricular competences. This study uses Sack's Sentence Completion Test (SSCT) to evaluate the two abilities shown by a cohort of students in TUCOM before start of study and after two and a half years of study over early the importance of professional skills they need to acquire during study years. Comparing data taken before and after study, results show a decrease in number of students with negative personalities who feel completely incompetent in regard to the two abilities and being hopeless and increase in number of students with positive personality who feel confident on own ability to overcome obstacles. Difference in regard to both abilities of self reliance and decision making are statistically significant.

Medical Journal of Tikrit University (1999);5:i-ii, 1999

We report here on four community-based education (CBE) packages in Tikrit University College of M... more We report here on four community-based education (CBE) packages in Tikrit University College of Medicine (TUCOM) curriculum where elements of primary health care and community medicine are deeply integrated throughout the 6-year study period.
Medical Journal of Tikrit University (1999);5:i-ii.

UNDG Report, 2001

This is a technical report on medical education (as part of a comprehensive report on health sect... more This is a technical report on medical education (as part of a comprehensive report on health sector) and presented to the DG of the United Nations after 11 years of UN sanctions on Iraq imposed in August 1990.

Journal of faculty of Medicine (Baghdad)., 2002

Comparison of students perspectives about medical education in innovative and conventional school... more Comparison of students perspectives about medical education in innovative and conventional schools of medicine in Iraq.

This meeting in 2002 set up the initial agenda for reform and accreditation of medical and health... more This meeting in 2002 set up the initial agenda for reform and accreditation of medical and health professions education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Cairo, Egypt 31 March-2 April 2002.

WHO EMRO Regional Committee Document No EM/RC50/Tech.Disc.1, 2003

Measuring the quality of educational programmes is not an easy task. The difficulty lies in deter... more Measuring the quality of educational programmes is not an easy task. The difficulty lies in determining both what to measure and how best to measure it. Quality may be defined in many ways, such as “fitness for purpose”, “meeting the expectations of the consumer or user” and “satisfaction of client”. Requirements set by different stakeholders must be considered. Such stakeholders include medical professionals, patients, students, government and communities. Quality should be measured across all parts of the education programme: input, process and output. Quality is linked to relevance, equity and cost–effectiveness. This report was presented to the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region governing body "Regional Committee" formed of ministers of health of the member states and experts during its 50th meeting in 2003. This report has set up the stage for actions towards accrediting the medical education programmes in the states of the Eastern Mediterranean Region.

Nurs Outlook, 2003

Military conflict in Iraq will significantly affect the capacity of the Iraqi health system. The ... more Military conflict in Iraq will significantly affect the capacity of the Iraqi health system. The health system in Iraq has undergone many stressors during the past two decades. Health professionals can better understand the current problems in the healthcare system and support their Iraqi colleagues through reviewing and understanding contextual contributions to this crisis. Drawing from several sources, including first-hand accounts from 6 Iraq visits in the last 5 years and consultation for several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and UN organizations, this article provides a brief introduction to the Iraqi context, highlighting both the strengths and needs of the Iraqi health system. Special issues and concerns about nursing in Iraq are explored. Strategies for building upon the capacities of the healthcare system, including nursing , are outlined.

Journal of Veterinary Medical Education., 2004

Iraq is an agricultural country with a large population of animals: sheep, goats, cattle, water b... more Iraq is an agricultural country with a large population of animals: sheep, goats, cattle, water buffaloes, horses, donkeys, mules, and camels. In the 1980s, the successful poultry industry managed to produce enough table eggs and meat to satisfy the needs of the entire population; at one time, the thriving fish industry produced different types of fish for Iraqis' yearly fish consumption. There are four veterinary colleges in Iraq, all of which have been destroyed along with the veterinary services infrastructure. Understandably, improvements to the quality of veterinary education and services in Iraq will be reflected in a healthy and productive animal industry, better food quality and quantity, fewer zoonotic diseases, and more income-generating activities in rural areas. Thus, if undergraduate, graduate, and continuing education programs are improved, the veterinary medical profession will attract more competent students. This will satisfy the country's increased demand for competent veterinarians in both public and private sectors. Although Iraq has an estimated 5,000-7,000 veterinarians, there is a need for quality veterinary services and for more veterinarians. In addition, there is a need for the improvement of veterinary diagnostic facilities, as zoonotic diseases are always highly probable in this region. This article provides insight into the status of veterinary medical education and veterinary services in Iraq before and after the 1991 Gulf War and the 1994 invasion and gives suggestions for improvement and implementation of new programs. Suggestions are also offered for improving veterinary diagnostic facilities and the quality of veterinary services. Improving diagnostic facilities and the quality of veterinary services will enhance animal health and production in Iraq and will also decrease the likelihood of disease transmission to and from Iraq.

Report of Visit to Libyan International Medical University (LIMU). Linya, 2010

Dr Ghanim Al Sheikh, the WHO regional adviser and Dr Omar Al Mahjoub WHO representative in Libya ... more Dr Ghanim Al Sheikh, the WHO regional adviser and Dr Omar Al Mahjoub WHO representative in Libya visited the Libyan International Medical University on 12 august 2010. The meeting was held at LIMU`s campus in Benghazi. Dr Mohammad Saad Ambarak (Limu's president) welcomed the honorable guests in his office....

Medicine, Conflict and Survival October – December 2006; 22(4): 292 – 298, 2006

Medical education and health care in Iraqi Kurdistan were oppressed by the regime of Saddam Husse... more Medical education and health care in Iraqi Kurdistan were oppressed by the regime of Saddam Hussein for four decades. There have been efforts to revive them by Kurdish and non-Kurdish professionals in and outside Kurdistan with the assistance of various governmental and non-governmental organisations. However, the health care and medical education systems in Iraqi Kurdistan require ongoing international support. Recent global awareness of the war on terror and attempts to rebuild the health care system should not concentrate only on the immediate effects of the war, but they should also focus on the wide-ranging implications of the previous dictatorship regime.

J. Education and Science مجلة التربية والعلم, 2008

The importance of state monitoring on markets in Iraq comes from many sides, so it reflects sever... more The importance of state monitoring on markets in Iraq comes from
many sides, so it reflects several Cases economical , social , financial
and religious. Related to the life of society , hence , they put the job Of
price control and it is a religious job by way of direction with kindness
and proscription of enormity, Which is a require on deputy of Moslems
affairs , appointed to this , the person whom find suited to it .
The job of suporvisor on markets appeared gradually and he comes
to be called (treasurer) and his work called (pride control) .his work was
related to control markets by the effect of problems caused by the variety
and complexity of economical dealings , market and productions .
Authorities of treasurer developed at omayad and abbasy ages and he
allowed to look in judges , decisions , monitor preachers , Mosques ,
leaders , doctors, teachers , sellers , markets , measures , scales and looks
in industry of markets so he ask the help of supportes and monitors in
particular so , every Profession or craft has a monitor As its leader on
condition , he should be a religious and devout man , knowing of
profession or craft morals , asking the help of professions heads to know
what hide on him from secrets of professions , Crafts and ways of
bluffing and cheating in it.
From what forego , clarified that the treasurer was a representatire of
state in his monitoring authority On holder of professions and crafts in
markets , care of safety and health of the society from hurt , so treasurer
have given the authorities which enable him to make his duty from
calling to account as well , The treasurer and leadership of medicine have
the authority of examine the practitioners of medicine ,and Prevent that
his ignorance in profession caused any risk to people

$Research paper thumbnail of 2010 Reflection and refraction (of students and clinicians on education and practice)$

Clinical Ethics, 2010

Personal narratives in which medical students and clinicians reflect on their education and pract... more Personal narratives in which medical students and clinicians reflect on their education and practice, or recipients of health care reflect on their journey though the system can provide valuable insights which can usefully be shared. In this paper, a medical student describes the effect of a humanities-based studentselected component on her understanding of anatomy and dissection, and a junior doctor in Iraq learns some painful lessons about medicine and society during a night shift in the casualty department.

Problem-based Learning and Creativity. Singapore: Cengage Learning Asia Pte Ltd., 2009

In a world filled with challenges where evolutionary and revolutionary innovations are increasin... more In a world filled with challenges where evolutionary and revolutionary innovations are increasingly valued, the capacity for creativity and innovation has emerged as all-important. This chapter argues that problems provide opportunities for innovation by acting as a catalyst for creative thought. It draws upon real-world examples of innovations and anecdotes from the lives of prominent creators to illustrate how problems can engage curiosity, inquiry, and thinking in meaningful and powerful ways. To be compatible with the demands exerted on individuals today, education must change such that problems are used as a means of fueling learning and as a vehicle for cultivating creativity. This need provides the basis for problem-based learning, an instructional method that encourages the development of creative thinking and creative problem solving. Recommendations for an education that is future-ready are considered, with emphasis placed on the salient role that must be granted to creativity and problem-based learning if this goal is to be achieved.

AL-Mansour Journal / No.14, 2010

The revolution in the computer technologies and usage of computer in AI & Intelligence Tutoring S... more The revolution in the computer technologies and usage of computer in AI & Intelligence Tutoring Systems in different researches to produce numerous studies in the field of the computer assist learning and training in the field of education & training there are many concepts about AI&ITS .
It is method helping the computer in representing the human activities of needing special skills and experiences & intelligent decision making, or it is a process of computer programming making the computer capable for logical education and operations execution which need high level intelligence. The artificial intelligence & ITS could be applied in the following areas: 1. Game theory 2. Improvement of different theories 3. General problem-Solving 4. Expert problem-solving Which contains : a- Mathematical symbols b- Medical diagnosis c- Chemical analysis d- Engineering design. This research focuses on how AI & ITS and It's applications as a tool supporting for learning and education Process.

Social Science & Medicine, 2009

Medical doctors leaving less developed countries are now part of a global labour market. This doc... more Medical doctors leaving less developed countries are now part of a global labour market. This doctor migration has been extensively studied from economic and health systems perspectives. Seldom, however has the specific role of the conflict or the collapsing state been considered as a cause of migration. Using hospital staffing records we measured the changes in numbers of medical specialists at 12 Iraqi tertiary hospitals (in Baghdad, Basra, Erbil and Mosul) between 2004 and 2007. For doctors leaving their posts, we attempted to determine destinations and circumstances of departure. We counted 1243 specialists in the 12 hospitals on January 1, 2004. This declined to 1166 or 94% of the original number by late 2007. In Baghdad, specialists decreased to 78% by late 2007, Outside Baghdad, specialists numbered 134% of the original count by 2007. In Baghdad, replacements kept pace with losses until 2005, with loss rates peaking in 2006 at 29%. Outside Baghdad, gains exceeded losses each year. Violent event rates associated with the migration of doctors were estimated as: threats 30/1000 doctors; kidnappings 6.7/1000; violent deaths 16.5/1000, and any violent event 36.7/1000. Specialists who left Baghdad were 2.5 times more likely to experience a violent event than doctors elsewhere. Specialists departing teaching hospitals were 2.3 times more likely to experience a violent event than those in general hospitals. Of specialists leaving hospital posts for which data were available, 39% went elsewhere in Iraq and 61% left the country. These findings suggest a major loss of human capital from Iraq's hospital sector, a loss that is likely to require some years to fully replace.

J Fac Med Baghdad, 2010

Third year medical students of Baghdad Medical College have not fully utilized the opportunity as... more Third year medical students of Baghdad Medical College have not fully utilized the opportunity associated with the use of computer and internet for medical education. Expansion of computer-assisted learning requires careful strategic planning after obtaining the results of computer literacy survey.

Basrah Journal of Surgery, 2009

Sadly, so many doctors feel so satisfied after graduation.

Academic Medicine, 2006

Purpose: International medical graduates (IMGs), many of whom are recent immigrants to the United... more Purpose: International medical graduates (IMGs), many of whom are recent immigrants to the United States, are filling an increasing proportion of U.S. family medicine residency positions. Therefore, assumptions about the training experiences of first-year residents may no longer apply to a large percentage of incoming residents. The authors sought to improve the behavioral science education in their residency program by learning about IMGs' previous training and experience in behavioral science before coming to the United States. Method: Ten first-, second-, and third-year family medicine residents, representing medical school training from India, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, The Philippines, Egypt, and Iraq, were individually interviewed using an inductive, qualitative approach. Transcripts were reviewed and double coded. Categories and story lines were identified, and member checking was employed. Method. Ten first-, second-, and third-year family
medicine residents, representing medical school training from India, Macedonia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, The Philippines, Egypt, and Iraq, were individually interviewed using an inductive, qualitative approach. Transcripts were reviewed and double coded. Categories and story lines were identified, and member checking was employed. Conclusions:
The narrative data suggested several possible modifications to the family medicine curriculum, including expanding new resident orientation content about U.S. health care, introducing behavioral science content sooner, and having IMGs observe quality physician–patient interactions. Interview data also yielded concrete suggestions
for improving residents’ psychiatric interview knowledge and skills, such as instruction in specific wording of questions.

Iraqi J. Comm. Med., 2009

The pharmacology curriculum at the colleges of medicine of the Iraqi universities is drug-group b... more The pharmacology curriculum at the colleges of medicine of the Iraqi universities is drug-group based one and undergoes a revision by a national meeting of Deans and Heads of departments of the colleges of medicine convenes every five years in Baghdad, the last meeting was held in 2002. It is taught the third year of six-year MBChB course, adopting the traditional teaching system with theory (didactic-lecture style) 90 hours, practical 60 hours and discussion 30 hours. The purpose of this work is to report my personal experience in delivering the pharmacology curriculum at the College of Medicine, University of AL-Anbar. Curricular Modes of Learning: formal lectures (traditional didactic lecture-style); practical: actual practical sessions (performed by students), demonstration sessions (Demonstrated by the teaching staff), video sessions, seminars; tutorials; free discussions, pharmacological key issues, and medical problems. Assessment: continuous (tutor review in the tutorial process) and formal (occurs by examination at mid and end of year) It is concluded that 1. Tutorial instructional activities foster better knowledge understanding and skills learning which enhance the ability in reflective practice and in turn eventual self-learning. 2. During the tutorial process, student-generated learning issues may arise as interactional gain from the tutorial to be reviewed by the teaching staff to incorporate modification in the future curricular modes of learning. 3. A better motivation and learning is achieved when interfacing both pharmacology and pathophysiology in the learning process. Appropriate recommendations have been presented.

Al-Kindy Col Med J, 2010

There have been notable developments in the field of r.ldical education in the country and in the... more There have been notable developments in the field of r.ldical education in the country and in the region. The most significant of which is a general awarness that has been created about the need for and relevance of changes.There is however a basic question that posses itself and becomes clearly relevant in the context of effort .Today, to recognize health care services in the developing countries in the light of realigned priorities This ensure to bring about learning outcomes as a tocurriculum changes to meet this demand.

BMC Medical Education, 2005

Background: The inclusion of family medicine in medical school curricula is essential for produci... more Background: The inclusion of family medicine in medical school curricula is essential for producing competent general practitioners. The aim of this study is to evaluate a task-based, community oriented teaching model of family medicine for undergraduate students in Iraqi medical schools.

Iraqi J Med Sciences; : 6(2): 1-3, 2008

Medical education is a vital process that necessitates continuous evaluation and development. One... more Medical education is a vital process that necessitates continuous evaluation and development. One essential question that may come to mind is what to teach? The medical knowledge is huge in contrast to the relatively limited time available for teaching. Many teachers still feel that they should teach every detail and prepare distended lectures. This brief account attempts to answer: two important questions: "What and how to teach".

Journal of Medical Biography, 2013

During the early twentieth century, the medical status of Mesopotamia, later Iraq, was very bad d... more During the early twentieth century, the medical status of Mesopotamia, later Iraq, was very bad due to the lack of sanitation and recurrent epidemics and it was rife with endemic diseases including bilharziasis, tuberculosis and malaria. Medical care was poor, with few hospitals and doctors. The condition improved slowly with the return of a few Iraqi doctors who trained outside Iraq, in Turkey, Syria and Lebanon, and with the arrival of British Medical personnel, during and after the First World War, principally Sir Harry Sinderson who was one of the most influential figures in recent Iraqi medical and political history. He had the distinctive role of being one of the founders and the Dean of the first Iraqi medical college. During his service until his retirement in 1946 he achieved, with tireless effort, exceptionally high standards and brought fame and prestige to the new medical college in record time. He attained his goal of training at least 500 local doctors.

Health Services Insights 2013:6 87–98 , 2013

Currently, in the United States there is a significant physician workforce shortage. his problem ... more Currently, in the United States there is a significant physician workforce shortage. his problem is likely to persist as there is no quick solution. he nature of this shortage is complex and involves factors such as an absolute physician shortage, as well as physician shortages in primary care and certain specialty care areas. In addition, there is a mis-distribution of physicians to medically undeserved areas and populations. he medical education system trains medical school graduates that eventually feed the physician workforce. However, several factors are in place which ultimately limits the effectiveness of this system in providing an appropriate workforce to meet the population demands. For-profit medical schools have been in existence in and around the continental US for many years and some authors have suggested that they may be a major contributor to the physician workforce shortage. here is currently one for-profit medical school in the US, however the majority exist in the Caribbean. he enrollment in and number of these schools have grown to partially meet the ever-growing demand for an increase in medical school graduates and they continue to provide a large number of graduates who return to the US for postgraduate medical training and, ultimately, increase the physician workforce. he question is whether this source will benefit the workforce quality and quantity needs of our growing and aging population.

BMC Medical Education, 2015

Background: Although medical colleges in Iraq started recently to increasingly use small group te... more Background: Although medical colleges in Iraq started recently to increasingly use small group teaching approach, there is limited research on the challenges, opportunities and needs of small group teaching in Iraq particularly in Kurdistan Region. Therefore, this study was aimed to assess the small group teaching experience in the 4 th and 5 th year of study in Hawler College of Medicine with a focus on characterizing the impressions of faculty members about how small group teaching is proceeding in the college. Methods: A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with 20 purposively selected faculty members was conducted. An interview guide was used for data collection that was around different issues related to small group teaching in medical education including planning, preparation, positive aspects, problems facing its implementation, factors related to it and recommendations for improvement. Qualitative data analysis comprised identifying themes that emerged from the review of transcribed interviews. Results: Participants reported some positive experience and a number of positive outcomes related to this experience including better controlling the class, enhancing students' understanding of the subject, increasing interaction in the class, increasing the students' confidence, enhancing more contact between teachers and students, improving the presentation skills of the students and improving the teacher performance. The participants emphasized poor preparation and planning for application of this system and highlighted a number of problems and challenges facing this experience particularly in terms of poor infrastructure and teaching facilities, poor orientation of students and teachers, inadequate course time for some subjects and shortage of faculty members in a number of departments. The main suggestions to improve this experience included improving the infrastructure and teaching facilities, using more interactive teaching methods and better organization and management of the system. Conclusions: Despite what the faculty perceived as the college's failure to provide physical settings or training for small group learning to the faculty and the students, the faculty members were able to articulate positive experiences and outcomes associated with their college's efforts to introduce teaching in smaller group sessions.

The Joint Commission Journal on Quality and Patient Safety, 2011

Changes to the processes of delivering care to wounded soldiers in the modern military health car... more Changes to the processes of delivering care to wounded soldiers in the modern military health care system have drastically improved patient outcomes in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan when compared to other major conflicts. 1 A fundamental change contributing to this improvement has been a focus on moving patients quickly through levels (or echelons) of care to get the wounded to a facility with the appropriate capabilities for definitive care. This often involves rapid and frequent transitions of care for critically injured patients and consequently requires high degrees of communication and coordination among team members within as well as between levels of care. As in civilian health care, effective teamwork is crucial for success. In the decade since the Institute of Medicine's (IOM) groundbreaking report To Err Is Human, 2 a wide variety of teamworkbased interventions have been implemented. 3 This article documents the implementation of the TeamSTEPPS ® program throughout medical facilities in Iraq between November 2007 and December 2008-one of the most intense phases of the conflict. It also reports on the intervention's impact on the rate of different types of patient safety events at the initial location of implementation-a combat support hospital (CSH) in Baghdad.

WHO: Pan American Health Organization, 2015

We believe that the content of this book will be of great interest to teachers, academic managers... more We believe that the content of this book will be of great interest to teachers, academic managers, professionals and also the managers of the Unified Health System (SUS) and to the representatives of Local and Municipal Health Councils, given the importance and involvement of each of these groups in discussions and agreements on the CBE activities. In short, it is expected that the discussion around the CBE (and its strengthening) will positively impact the communities it serves, which is the main purpose of the health work. We are sure that the reading of these experiences, generously shared by our colleagues, will contribute to the reflection and inspiration of the people who are interested in this topic.
This book is organized into two major groups of chapters: the first addresses the key national policies, which are responsible for inducing the curriculum reorientation towards community-based education. We then present 17 reports of experiences from major schools and their courses in the health area, which are challenged to train a qualified professional, especially one who has a strong commitment to the needs of the community where he/she operates. This is a global demand, and Brazil was sensitive, pioneering and innovative in its actions to foster greater proximity between the University and the National Health System, beyond
the hospital scenario. This challenge is renewed with the publication of new National Curriculum Guidelines (NCG) in 2014, for medical undergraduate courses. The new text reinforces the concept of diversity of practice scenarios; values CBE with emphasis on activities involving primary health care and highlights teaching/learning of urgency and emergency and mental health in the medical clerkship context. We wish you a good and profitable reading of this initial edition, with a limited number of copies in Portuguese, to be launched in November 2014. Among the plans for the future is the translation and publication of the book in English, aiming to share the content gathered here with the international community.

BMC Medical Education 15:19, 2015

Medical Journal of Tikrit University, 2013

Medical education can be defined as the process of teaching , learning and training of students w... more Medical education can be defined as the process of teaching , learning and training of students with an ongoing integration of knowledge, experience, skills, qualities, responsibilities and value which qualify an individual to practice medicine. The aim of the study is to improve the quality of medical undergraduate educational strategies and teaching methods among medical schools in Iraq. A descriptive cross- sectional study has been conducted in Nineveh medical College from the period of 1/4/2012 till the end of June / 2012. All the available present medical students were conducted from both third and fifth stage and special questionnaire form was prepared by interviewing with the study sample. 107 medical students were included , 36 students from fifth stage and 71 students from third stage. Majority of study sample were female and they constitute (59- 55.2%) aged between 21- 23 (98- 91.5 %). All the medical students preferred combined method of medical education (72- 67.3%) and they agreed with the theoretical hours are much higher than the practical hours ( 75- 70.1%). The study concluded that combined method of medical education is preferable for all the medical students. The study recommended that more attention for practical demonstration and increased emphasis on better practical training as well as a need to incorporate the clinical sessions for the students to help plan them their future paths and to become a good doctors.

Iraqi J Pharm Sci, 2012

Pharmaceutical care is a patient-centered, outcomes oriented practice that requires the pharmacis... more Pharmaceutical care is a patient-centered, outcomes oriented practice that requires the pharmacist to work in concert with the patient and the patient's other healthcare providers to promote health, to prevent disease, and to assess, monitor, initiate, and modify medication use to assure that drug therapy regimens are safe and effective. In addition, the presence of clinical pharmacists has led to a higher quality of patient education and provision of complete detailed information for patients. In developed countries Pharm D has become the professional degree for practice of Pharmacy. The graduates will be enrolled in a pharmacy residency program; admission to the residency programs is available to Pharm D graduates of an accredited College of Pharmacy. The residency is also designed to prepare the residents to become Board Certified Specialists in their field. In many developing countries three new pharmaceutical education programs have currently been established to serve the pharmaceutical care development. Firstly, a six-year curriculum leading to the doctor of pharmacy (Pharm. D) degree as the sole professional degree. Secondly, Pharmacy Residency and Fellowship Training Program have been developed to provide intensive training in pharmaceutical care practice to the pharmacists. Lastly, the continuing pharmaceutical education program (CPE) has been adopted to ensure the competency of all pharmacists to deliver the best knowledge and skills in pharmaceutical sciences in their specialties. In our opinion we lack for most of these programs, even the program of clinical pharmacy in ministry of health is not residency program and it is short and not subspecialized apart from being not recognized by academic institutes and references. In conclusion, pharmacy profession has to change towards the more responsibility on patient care. New training program has to be adopted by medical education institutes to provide clinical pharmacists as a profession and to prepare board certified clinical pharmacists as specialists to cope with the advances in all medical fields.

IRAQI J MED SCI, 2013

The role of online social networks in our everyday life has become crucial and undeniable. YouTub... more The role of online social networks in our everyday life has become crucial and undeniable. YouTube is a mainstay in online social networks. Created in 2005, YouTube is the third most visited Web site on the internet. Its educational value has been exemplified by the establishment of YouTube Education. Given the relative easiness of producing and uploading videos on YouTube and its free content, it has become a pool of a huge quantity of educational videos in different specialties uploaded by students and teachers. This paper aims to provide hints on effective usage of YouTube in medical education by evaluating an already existing video in order to recommend it to your students and by highlighting how to create and optimize your educational videos.

Tikrit Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 2013

Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful, & a high level of stress may have ... more Background: Medical education is perceived as being stressful, & a high level of stress may have a negative effect on cognitive functioning & learning of students in a medical school. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of perceived stress among medical students & to observe an association between the levels of stress & their academic performance, including the sources of their stress & their coping strategies. Methodology: This cross-sectional study was conducted on one hundred eighty medical students from first stage to sixth stage from the Tikrit were enrolled in the study. The study was conducted using Kessler10 psychological distress inventory, which measures the level of stress according to none, mild, moderate, & severe categories. The prevalence of stress was measured & compared with the six study variables, such as gender, living accommodation, academic year, regularity to course attendance, academic grades, & perceived physical problems Result: The response rate among the study subjects was 100% (n=180). The total prevalence of stress was 57.2%, & the prevalence of severe stress was 12.8%. The prevalence of stress was higher among females (69.9%) than among males(42.9%). 2=16.34, p<0.001). The prevalence of stress was higher in students living at dormitory (31.6%) than students live at parental home (25.5%) but the severity of stress was higher in those students. The prevalence of stress was higher during the preclinical group mostly in third year students (76.7%) & in students who attend irregularly (73.9%). Exams (73%) & load of study (49.5%) are the most powerful stressors. Spend time with friends, sleeping, prayer, music, going into isolation or sports are various coping mechanisms. The academic performance was decline with increase stress level. Physical problems are associated with high stress levels. Conclusion: The prevalence of perceived stress seems to be high among medical students & in all level was higher in female than male. Preclinical group of students had more stress than clinical group & most of students who attend irregularly had high level of stress, which tends to affect not only their academic performances but also all aspects of health. Recommendation: Review of academics & exam schedules, more leisure time activities, better interaction with the faculty & proper guidance, advisory services & peer counseling at the campus could do a lot to reduce the stress.

BMC Medical Education, 2015

Background: While international physician migration has been studied extensively, more focused an... more Background: While international physician migration has been studied extensively, more focused and regional explorations are not commonplace. In many Arab countries, medical education is conducted in English and students/graduates seek postgraduate opportunities in other countries such as the United States (US). Eligibility for residency training in the US requires certification by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG). This study investigates ECFMG application trends, examination performance, and US physician practice data to quantify the abilities and examine the career pathways of Arab-trained physicians. Methods: Medical students and graduates from 15 Arab countries where English is the language of medical school instruction were studied. The performances (1 st attempt pass rates) of individuals on the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1, Step 2CK (clinical knowledge), and and a combination of Step 2CS (clinical skills) and ECFMG CSA (clinical skills assessment) were tallied and contrasted by country. Based on physician practice data, the contribution of Arab-trained physicians to the US healthcare workforce was explored. Descriptive statistics (means, frequencies) were used to summarize the collected data. Results: Between 1998 and 2012, there has been an increase in the number of Arab trained students/graduates seeking ECFMG certification. Examination performance varied considerably across countries, suggesting differences in the quality of medical education programs in the Eastern Mediterranean Region. Based on current US practice data, physicians from some Arab countries who seek postgraduate opportunities in the US are less likely to stay in the US following specialty training. Conclusion: Countries, or regions, with concerns about physician migration, physican performance, or the pedagogical quality of their training programs should conduct longitudinal research studies to help inform medical education policies.

BMC Medical Education 2014, 2014

Background: Recruitment to psychiatry is insufficient to meet projected mental health service nee... more Background: Recruitment to psychiatry is insufficient to meet projected mental health service needs worldwide. We report on the career plans of final year medical students from 20 countries, investigating factors identified from the literature which influence psychiatric career choice. Methods: Cross sectional electronic or paper survey. Subjects were final year medical students at 46 medical schools in participating countries. We assessed students’ career intentions, motivations, medical school teaching and exposure to psychiatry. We assessed students’ attitudes and personality factors. The main outcome measure was likelihood of specializing in psychiatry. Multilevel logistic regression was used to examine the joint effect of factors upon the main outcome. Results: 2198 of 9135 (24%) of students responded (range 4 to 91%) across the countries. Internationally 4.5% of students definitely considered psychiatry as a career (range 1 to 12%). 19% of students (range 0 to 33%) were “quite likely”, and 25% were “definitely not” considering psychiatry. Female gender, experience of mental/physical illness,
media portrayal of doctors, and positive attitudes to psychiatry, but not personality factors, were associated with choosing psychiatry. Quality of psychiatric placement (correlation coefficient = 0.22, p < 0.001) and number of placements (correlation coefficient =0.21, p < 0.001) were associated with higher ATP scores. During medical school, experience of psychiatric enrichment activities (special studies modules and university psychiatry clubs), experience of acutely unwell patients and perceived clinical responsibility were all associated with choice of psychiatry.
Multilevel logistic regression revealed six factors associated with students choosing psychiatry: importance of own vocation, odds ratio (OR) 3.01, 95% CI 1.61 to 5.91, p < 0.001); interest in psychiatry before medical school, OR 10.8 (5.38 to 21.8, p < 0.001); undertaking a psychiatry special study module, OR 1.45 (1.05 to 2.01, p = 0.03) or elective OR 4.28 (2.87- 6.38, p < 0.001); membership of a university psychiatry club, OR 3.25 (2.87 to 6.38, p < 0.001); and exposure to didactic teaching, OR 0.54 (0.40 to 0.72, p < 0.001). Conclusions: We report factors relevant to medical student selection and psychiatry teaching which affect career choice. Addressing these factors may improve recruitment to psychiatry internationally.

Teaching in Higher Education

This paper explores the idea that student-centred learning (SCL) is a concept and an approach tha... more This paper explores the idea that student-centred learning (SCL) is a concept and an approach that is internationally useful and transferable to a range of higher education settings. We present details of a British Council funded collaborative project between Hawler Medical University (HMU), in Erbil in the Kurdistan region of northern Iraq and the University of Glasgow (UoG) in Scotland, UK. The aim of this project was to support teachers within HMU to adopt SCL methodologies across the dentistry, medicine, nursing and pharmacy curricula. We use experiences and evaluation from this project to explore the ways in which different teachers interpreted and enacted SCL. The project evaluation findings demonstrate that as a result of the SCL project, most teachers at HMU demonstrated a slight increase in their level of confidence as a teacher, their level of understanding of SCL and confidence in their own skills to undertake SCL. There was a willingness from most participants to try to adapt their teaching practice towards an SCL approach. However, some participants did not fully understand the shift in conceptualisation necessary in adopting a student-centred approach and some were uncomfortable with the need for a shift of power from teacher to student implied within SCL. We conclude by highlighting the key lessons learned from this project related to the translatability of SCL from one global context to another, highlighting the need to re-examine a range of Western educational concepts in the current context of increasing transnational higher education partnerships.
Keywords: student-centred learning; international collaboration; Iraq; medical education

Zanco J. Med. Sci., 2015

Background and objective: The aim of this study was to provide a general description of a new exp... more Background and objective: The aim of this study was to provide a general description of a new experience of introducing teaching in clinical skills laboratory to the final year students of Hawler College of Medicine and to assess the students’ perspectives of one year training experience in the newly established clinical skills laboratory. Methods: This study was based on a self-administered questionnaire survey of 79 final year medical students. The questionnaire included 31 statements related to the physical environment of the clinical skills laboratory, duration of clinical skills practice, quality of clinical skills teaching and usefulness of clinical skills laboratory. Each statement was rated on a five-point Likert scale. Results: Most students were satisfied with the location of the clinical skills laboratory (62.8%) and appropriateness of educational atmosphere of the laboratory (59%). Less than half of the students were satisfied with adequacy and appropriate use of educational equipments. Students had concerns about the short duration of clinical skills practice and unavailability of structured and well explained guidelines (36.7%). Majority of students indicated that they prefer to take sessions in the skills laboratory and practice before dealing with real patients (78.1%) and have earlier integration of teaching in clinical skills laboratory in the medical study curriculum (71.8%). Conclusion: This short and new experience of training in clinical skills laboratory was positively recognized in general. The study identified shortcomings in a number of aspects that need to be addressed to improve the experience.

BMC Medical Education, 2012

Background: Medical education in Iraq is poorly assessed and there is a general lack of documente... more Background: Medical education in Iraq is poorly assessed and there is a general lack of documented knowledge about the challenges facing this field and the needs for its development. This study aimed to assess the existing teaching methods in the Hawler College of Medicine, Iraq from teaching staff perspectives and assess the knowledge of the teaching staff about student-centred learning. Methods: A qualitative study based on a self-administered questionnaire survey of a purposive sample of 83 teaching staff in Hawler Medical University was conducted. The questionnaire addressed the participants' view on the positive aspects and problems of the current teaching methods and priorities to change it. The qualitative data analysis comprised thematic analysis. Results: The study revealed significant problems facing the existing teaching methods including having large number of students in the lecture hall (45.0 %), having focus on teacher-centred teaching (45.0 %) and lack of infrastructures and facilities suitable for proper teaching (26.7 %). The priorities for improving the quality of teaching methods included adoption of small group teaching strategy in all study years (34.6 %), improving the infrastructure and facilities for teaching in the college (34.6 %) and provision of continuous academic development programs for the teaching staff (24.3 %). Conclusions: The existing medical education system face significant problems and it needs important and comprehensive improvements in different areas. There is a need for further research in this field to explore the identified problems in a more in-depth manner in order to better understand of the problems and needs of this important area of education.

Islamic University College Journal, 2012

Background:- Integration has been accepted as an important educational strategy in medical educat... more Background:- Integration has been accepted as an important educational strategy in medical education , and its introduction to the curricula of Medical schools in Iraq , together with the Problem Based Learning PBL and Objective Structured Clinical Examination OSCE, is regarded as the pavement of the way to gain the accreditation for Iraqi Medical Colleges and to update the curriculum in such away to prepare the medical students to fulfill the requirements to provide the best health service for
our patients . A total and sudden change in the curricula of the medical schools , which had been the same since their foundations , seems to be inconvenient . So a gradual integration can give the teaching staff a good idea and experience to achieve a complete shift toward the ideal
program and can clarify the possible difficulties in the future implementations. Methods:-This paper presents a preliminary version of a proposed schedule for the next academic year , which completely fits the contents of the previous syllabus , arranged by a coordinator under direct supervision of the dean of Kufa Medical College . The draft was discussed by the concerned departments followed by the formation of one committee for each class consisting of representatives from
all departments participating in the teaching process of that class to approve the application of the schedule for the next year. Results:- What is done in this syllabus is the rearrangement of the same topic in the different departments to be given in the same period .so the horizontal integration could be achieved and here is an example: Neurophysiology , Neuroanatomy , Neurohistology , & Neuroembryology are being taught for the second-Year students at the same time .This can give the student a complete idea about the topic and make the task of teaching much easier by inter-disciplinary cooperation . Conclusion:-the schedule can put Kufa Medical College on the first step of integration ladder .

Ann Coll Med Mosul, 2013

Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate medical students' attitudes and opinions regard... more Objective: The aim of the study is to investigate medical students' attitudes and opinions regarding medical ethics education. Subjects and methods: The study was conducted in the College of Medicine, University of Mosul during the academic year 2011-2012. A cross-sectional study design was adopted with a self-administered questionnaire form distributed to medical students in the 5 th and 6 th undergraduate grades. Results: Of 150 respondents, the majority (82%) considered medical ethics teaching for medical students an important issue, and 69.3% agreed that medical ethics teaching would influence the attitudes and behaviors of doctors, and improve patient-doctor relationship. However, only 40% had general interest in learning more about medical ethics. Two thirds (64.8) of students were confident with their ability to recognize a significant ethical problems in clinical practice. Only 36% knew how to proceed when a patient is mentally incompetent. Conclusion: Medical students have a low positive attitude about the medical ethics teaching, and they may not be adequately prepared to meet the challenges of clinical practice. There should be incorporation of creative and integrated ethics curriculum to start in the first medical grade, with emphasis on ethical aspect of daily medical practice.

J Bagh College Dentistry, 2012

Background: Oral health knowledge is important for promotion and maintenance of oral health. This... more Background: Oral health knowledge is important for promotion and maintenance of oral health. This study aims to find out the difference in oral health knowledge and behavior of medical and dental students in technical medical institute in Baghdad governorate. Materials and Methods: A questionnaire survey was carried on 202 Iraqi students in technical medical institute of Bab Al-Muadam quadrant in Baghdad governorate (92 dental students and 110 medical students). Students were invited to complete a set of questionnaires on dental knowledge and behaviors that are related to oral hygiene and dental visits.
Results: Highly significant differences were shown between medical and dental students related to dental knowledge, dental students were found to have more dental knowledge than medical students. Concerning the
typical method for caries prevention, 90.2% of dental students compared to 35.5% of medical one were aware that brushing regularly, minimizing sweets, visiting the dentist and the use of fluoride are all effective means of avoiding caries. For oral hygiene behavior, dental students were practicing twice daily tooth brushing, flossing and rinsing in a proportion greater than medical students. Irregular visits to the dentist were found to be common among both medical and dental students and toothache was the major factor for dental visits in both groups. The lecturers were
found to be the most effective source of dental information for dental students, while the most effective source of information for medical students was the family. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate that knowledge and behavior toward oral health and dental care especially for the medical students need to be improved and there is a need for inclusion of oral health education in the medical curriculum.
Key words: Knowledge, behavior, dental visits. (J Bagh Coll Dentistry 2012; 24(sp. Issue 1):115-119).

Medical education is a long, time consuming process. The reality is that it never ends, even afte... more Medical education is a long, time consuming process. The reality is that it never ends, even after an individual graduates from medical school, there is a constant need to learn new and updated information. A descriptive study was conducted on newly graduated doctors who are working in Ibn – Sinna hospital / Mosul / Iraq during the period from 1 st July till 30 th August / 2012 to assess their level of knowledge regarding the current medical educational method and the main essential medical skills. The study show majority of doctors are female (52.2%) , aging between 20-25 years (85.7%). 61.8 % of them preferred combined method of medical education (Lecture based and Problem based) because this method graduated doctors with both good information and efficient skills level .

Medical Journal of Babylon, 2014

A field study was carried out in Ibn Al-Bittar elementary school in Babylon city. It aimed at ass... more A field study was carried out in Ibn Al-Bittar elementary school in Babylon city. It aimed at assessing the effectiveness of health education provided by community health nursing students to the elementary school students. The total number of the sample was one hundred and two, which represent (27.8%) of the school students. A questionnaire form composed of (8) open ended questions was developed for the purpose of this study. Percentages, frequency distribution were applied as a statistical measures. Some items were rated according to point type rating scale (Yes, No). The results showed that the highest percentages of the students' responses (23.7%) understood the meaning of health and they stated that health education is important. Results also indicated that (86.3%) of responses were positively reflected to the students' families and they encouraged their children to follow up what they have been taught and they need to know more about it. Relative to health education barriers, the most significant one given by the study sample (41%) was noise in the class. Thus the study recommended the following:
 Increasing health education for school students by using different mass media.
 Emphasis should directed toward providing school students necessary information regarding areas which they like to go in depth more (diseases in general, personal hygiene, dental care, nutrition, safe environment , and principles of first aid sessions).
 Carrying similar studies on larger sample.
PDF Available at: https://www.iasj.net/iasj?func=fulltext&aId=97104

MoH National CME Guide, 2018

Fac Med Baghdad 2017; Vol.59, No.3 226-230, 2017

Background: Depressive symptoms are commonly occurring in many psychiatric illnesses. Many people... more Background: Depressive symptoms are commonly occurring in many psychiatric illnesses. Many people experience the first symptoms of depression during their college years. Unfortunately, many college students who have depression are not getting the help they need. Objectives : to find out the point prevalence of clinically significant depressive symptoms in students of Baghdad College of Medicine, University of Baghdad, and its association with life stressors. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study of students of Baghdad College of Medicine, University of Baghdad during March and April 2013. A random sample was chosen and each student was asked to fill a questionnaire that contains demographic information, the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II), and the Student's Stressors Questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using SPSS (V.18). Appropriate tests were used for significance. Results: A total of 250 students (140 females and 110 males) was surveyed which included 50 students from each year. Female to male ratio was 1.27. Their age ranged between 18-45 years and the mean age was 22.2 ±2.3.Twenty-eight percent have clinically significant depressive symptoms, 12.4% have milder form of depression according to PHQ-9. Clinical depressive symptoms found among 37.2 % (borderline clinical depression to extremely severe depression) according to BDI-II. The mean of life stressors scores was 97.98 out of 180 (SD=18.68). Educational, psychological, and environmental stressors were the most common types of stressors. There is strong statistical relationship between life stressor category and clinically significant depressive symptom (P value= 0.000). Conclusion: clinically significant depressive symptoms are common among medical students of Baghdad University. Stressors were high and are positively associated with the presence of depressive symptoms.

Indian Journal of Public Health Research & Development, 2019

Burnout is a stress-related disorders of global concern, also it is associated with decreased job... more Burnout is a stress-related disorders of global concern, also it is associated with decreased job performance and low career satisfaction. Its common among physicians and more risky because of their work nature as they deals with human lives. Burnout might indiscernible passed undiagnosed or managed. To determine the prevalence of burnout amongst physicians in Kerbala and identify factors associated with burnout. A crosssectional survey was conducted among doctors using a validated self-administered questionnaire based on the Maslach Burnout Inventory Human Services Survey (MBI-HSS) with adding some questions related to Iraqi context and what physicians encounter. Ethical approval was obtained from research ethics committee in college of medicine-University of Kerbala. A total of 296 physicians filled and returned the questionnaire with a response rate of 84%. In terms of burnout, 52.7% of respondents scored high for emotional exhaustion burnout, 14.3% for depersonalization and 25.9% for personal accomplishment. High level of burnout in all three dimensions of burnout recorded among 4.4%. Burnout was found to be strongly associated with younger age and less years of employments. Burnout seems to be a common problem among physicians in Kerbala due to workload and stress. Emotional exhaustion was the commonest form of burnout.

Journal of Sulaimani Medical College. vol 8 (2): VI-IX, 2018

This is an interesting story of a bad practice in academic writing which seems to be increasing n... more This is an interesting story of a bad practice in academic writing which seems to be increasing nowadays. I was preparing to report on a case of 33-year old Iraqi lady with a Shone's complex. This is a very rare congenital heart disease described for the first time by Dr. Shone et al in 1963. I did a search on the net for relevant references using the Endnote software. Beside the original paper of Shone et al, I was happy to retrieve and download recent references on this rare anomaly. For details, see attached PDF.

The Medical Journal Of Tikrit University, 2020

Menstruation (period) considered as major stages in puberty in girls, it is one of many physical ... more Menstruation (period) considered as major stages in puberty in girls, it is one of many physical signs that the girls turning into women. Crosssectional study carried out in Tikrit University College Of Medicine among 120(16%) female medical students during three period, 2012 as stratified simple random sample. A certain questionnaire was given for each students. The range of menarche that reported as common one was between 11-13years by 66.7%(80). 89.2% (107) female students have symptoms associated with menstrual cycle. The most disturbed symptoms was abdominal pain by 72.9%(78). Most of these female use analgesic to relieve symptoms by 72%(77). The highest rate for irregular menstrual cycle reported among those from 1St stage by 26.9% (7) and 50% (8) can't identify the regularity. The menstrual cycle affected by stress 45.9% (55), anemia 14.2%(17) and family history with 45.9%(55). Out of the total (107), 35.5%(38) students had school absent, and 31.8%(34) experienced social withdrawal. Health education on menstrual problems targeting female students and their parents , and routine screening for menstrual problems by healthcare providers , can help prevent the absenteeism .

Medical Education Arabian Gulf University College of Medicine and Medical Sciences, Manama, Bahrain, 11-12 April 2016 Bahrain 11 12 April 2016, 2016

This is an invited talk presented in a special colloquium organized at the Arabian Gulf Universit... more This is an invited talk presented in a special colloquium organized at the Arabian Gulf University College of Medicine and Medical Sciences (AGUCMMS) in Bahrain on 11-12 April 2016. The purpose was to advise the college authorities on future visions for program development with a brief look at the medical education in the Arab world involving 22 countries.

J Adv Med Educ Prof., 2017

Introduction: Doctors' shortage has remained a concern worldwide. The developed countries started... more Introduction: Doctors' shortage has remained a concern worldwide. The developed countries started aids to recruit international medical graduates (IMG) to cope with the defects that the health care system suffers from; however, this solution may not work in developing countries that have a limited resource and poor budget to spend on the health care system. This study aims to present an alternative way to approach the physicians' shortage by accelerating undergraduate medical education and reform some postgraduate courses in order to cope with this problem. Methods: The literature in PubMed/Medline and Google scholar were searched using such keywords as undergraduate medical education, physician shortage, health care reform, physicians' performance, medical curriculum. Results: The inding revealed that performance during undergraduate medical school does not have a relationship with the physician's performance post-graduation. Moreover, the overloaded curriculum and the years spent in undergraduate education have a negative impact on the students in terms of burn out, lack of competency, and loss of motivation in medicine. The method of education was found to have a positive effect on preparing good students and ultimately good physicians. Conclusion: Since performance in undergraduate years does not have an impact on the practice post-graduation, the developing countries may consider the option of changing the context, and abbreviating undergraduate medical education as a solution for physicians' shortage dilemma. Moreover, modifying some postgraduate majors such as family physician, and general practitioner to allow the physicians enter the practice in areas of need is recommended.

Heliyon , 2020

Objectives: The current study sought to evaluate the communication skills of Iraqi physicians fro... more Objectives: The current study sought to evaluate the communication skills of Iraqi physicians from a patient perspective, differentiating between "interpersonal" and "content" components of communication. In the past century, the doctor-patient relationship has changed considerably, shifting from a paternalistic, physiciandominated approach to a more dynamic and patient-centered. In such a context, effective communication skills have become even more crucial for good medical practice and most accreditation organizations urge medical schools to teach and evaluate communication skills. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Baghdad Teaching Hospital's three major departments (Surgery, Medicine, Obs/ Gyne). The final sample included 270 participants. A factor analysis was performed and generated two dimensions ("interpersonal" and "content"). Statistical differences between the groups and between the two dimensions of the questionnaire were analysed through t-tests and ANOVA. In addition, a multiple linear regression model was used to study the effect of some variables on the dependent variable "communication". Results: The study showed a significant difference between "interpersonal" and "content" communication, with patients reporting higher satisfaction for the former. Reported satisfaction rates varied amongst the three departments with the Surgery specialty scoring significantly lower than the Medicine and the Obs/Gyne department. The duration of care under the current physician, a higher rank of specialty and the settings (inpatients versus outpatients) were positively and significantly associated with a higher quality of communication skills. Conclusions: These findings have significant implications for training institutions.

J Fam Med. , 2017

Background: Family Medicine is growing rapidly across the Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, ... more Background: Family Medicine is growing rapidly across the Eastern Mediterranean Region. However, it needs support in terms of overall health system development. This will require strong leadership in family medicine to implement the change required to improve current conditions. Objective: To collect data that will support the development of a leadership program for the future family physicians in the region.
Objective: To collect data that will support the development of a leadership
program for the future family physicians in the region.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from July 2016 to
September 2016 in eight countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region,
(Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Qatar, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia).
These countries were selected to obtain perceptions of Family Physicians (FPs)
regarding the current leadership model and to explore the need for a new future
innovative model in Family Medicine (FM) across the region.
Results: The information of 68 family physicians was included in the final
analysis. The majority of the FPs was females as compared to males (71%
vs. 29%). Forty-four percent of the FPs had 10 to 19 years of experience.
Almost all of the FPs (96%) had completed some training in family medicine
after graduation. About three fifths of the FPs had completed postgraduate
qualifications and out of those, 64% had passed Board or Membership
Examinations. Twenty-one percent of them are currently in a leadership role and
45% who were not in any leadership role responded that the current situation
of FM in their country is poor. All of the leaders believed that it is important to
develop strong leadership in FM to take the specialty forward. Almost similar
proportions (67% and 64%) of leaders and non-leaders thought that establishing
regional associations would enhance the FM practice model. Approximately two
thirds of leaders (67%) responded that the current role of decision makers in the
Ministry of Health (MOH) regarding capacity building in FM is not effective. The
majority of the FPs (54% and 38%) considers that the existing postgraduate
curriculum does not address leadership skill development in FM. Eighty-eight
percent of the FPs both from leadership and non-leadership groups agreed that
academic institutions and practicing FPs can play an effective leadership role in
taking FM forward.
Conclusion: The Family Medicine specialty will have to develop leadership
capabilities in line with today’s fast-moving changes in healthcare for it to obtain
the due recognition in the healthcare delivery system.

PhD Thesis, 2019

QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK DESIGN OF OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION IN HAWLER MEDIC... more QUALITY IMPROVEMENT FRAMEWORK DESIGN OF OBJECTIVE STRUCTURED CLINICAL EXAMINATION IN HAWLER MEDICAL UNIVERSITY. By Nazdar Al-Khateeb.
Background and objectives: An Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) is a common measurement tool used to assess clinical competencies of the medical students. In order to draw meaningful interpretations of the assessment results, the OSCE needs to be valid and reliable. This study aims at further improvement of OSCE as an assessment tool for undergraduate medical education in Hawler Medical University.
Methods: This study was conducted in Hawler Medical University, College of Medicine from June 2016 to November 2019. A modified action research approach was used to explore a number of OSCE characteristics at Hawler Medical University: the first part included a study on the impact of formative OSCE on performance of 5th year students in their summative OSCE. The second part explored the perception of 81 examiners from clinical departments on the OSCE, once this was achieved, a standardized OSCE was designed for clinical departments. This was followed by evaluating the OSCE scores of 150 sixth year students to ensure OSCE’s validity and reliability. The cut score of the OSCE were determined by different standard setting methods, and a defensible pass/fail decision was developed through novel competency method. Finally, a sample of 196 students shared their perception on OSCE. Factor analysis method was used to estimate latent traits that could not be measured by a single survey question.
Results: The randomized controlled trial revealed that single formative-OSCE did not improve the students’ performance in a subsequent summative-OSCE. On the other hand, the reliability and other psychometric indices of the final OSCE were in acceptable range. A novel competency method was suggested to reflect the desired student ability for each competency. This study has provided a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of the original OSCE from both examiners and students' perspectives that could add insight to more reform.
Conclusions: Standardizing OSCE and doing it in a single day further improve the outcomes of the exam. Some practical suggestions to increase the reliability of OSCEs and how to collect validity evidence on OSCE were presented. OSCE results can give a meaningful feedback to students on their competencies. By Nazdar Al-Khateeb.
Keywords: OSCE, Clinical competence, Standard setting, Educational measurement, Psychometrics.

J Pak Med Assoc, 2020

The current status of medical education in Iraq requires complete transformation to conform to th... more The current status of medical education in Iraq requires complete transformation to conform to the latest trends of modern education. Presently it is compromised due to the influence of political factors, finances, weakness or fragility of planning and security. It has to be reshaped for the future of medical education to produce good and efficient medical professionals. It is necessary to reform and revise the curriculum as accreditation in accordance with international medical universities. The initial requirement is faculty development in areas including but not limited to, curriculum development, teaching and learning improvement, research capacity building, and leadership development. The capacity building of faculty at College of Medicine, University of Kerbala (CMUK) has been initiated in collaboration with Medics International at a local and the government level. Medics International conducted the current Course on Certificate in Health Professions Education (CHPE) programme in September, 2019 to facilitate the faculty to revise their curriculum and improve t he ir cu rrent e du ca tiona l pra c tice s. Further steps will be taken to develop the faculty for Masters in Medical Education (MME), PhD, and fellowship programmes. To face the ongoing challenges in the medical and health care system, continuous efforts are required for faculty education. Medics International has volunteered to begin a series of Webinars through its global faculty to reach out to the Iraqi Board followed by engagement of the Arab Board covering 18 countries.

The Clinical Teacher, 2018

I am a professor in paediatrics and child health at Al- Kindy College of Medicine (AKCM) in Baghd... more I am a professor in paediatrics and child health at Al- Kindy College of Medicine (AKCM) in Baghdad, Iraq. I am a member of the Curricular Reforming Committee (CRC). To fi ll an essential step towards accreditation, CRC members have collaboratively and enthusiastically worked to reform the curriculum of the college. My role was to plan, design and implement the integration of clinical disciplines in the reform. In this Insights article I trace the history of this process of reform , emphasising the challenges faced and achievements accomplished. The volume of medical knowledge has exponentially increased and so has the need to improve the quality of learning and teaching in medical colleges. Traditional teaching curricula are no longer suitable for education as, in our experience, they are predominantly static, lecture based, teacher centred, discipline or subject led and hospital oriented. In the last decade there has been a shift globally in medical curricula towards more integrated models. These are student centred, problem based and community oriented. 1 In 2002 Dahle et al . suggested that integration between basic sciences and clinical medicine could stimulate deep rather than superfi cial learning, but that this entails time and work with respect to planning, organisation and execution.

Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2020

Governance and communication represent the foundations for effective impact on the level of insti... more Governance and communication represent the foundations for effective impact on the level of institutional performance in higher education colleges, including medical schools. Governance encompasses the frameworks of structures, relationships, and processes ongoing in the college. It is recognized that medical schools in Iraq lack the adoption of a clear mechanism in this field. This article aims to present a proposed protocol for the development of governance and institutional communication in Iraqi medical colleges whose components have been formulated according to the needs of these colleges. The proposal reviews the components, benefits, and foundations of governance according to a number of targeted values, thus presenting a proposed framework for the components of an institutional system for governance and communication. This proposal allows ample discussions among college stakeholders which leads to revision and implementation to fill the gap towards achieving effective and efficient governance that enables the achievement of college goals. The framework addresses number of elements including at least: neutrality in the work and decisions of councils and their strategic and operational roles, the absence of a strategy for senior management, institutional and individual periodic planning, standard operation procedures, job description, key performance indicators, human resource management policies and documentation concepts, and in the forefront of them digital documentation and communication via the Internet and databases.

TOFIQ Journal of Medical Sciences, TJMS., 2016

College of medicine, Baghdad University, is one of the oldest medical schools in the Middle East.... more College of medicine, Baghdad University, is one of the oldest medical schools in the Middle East. It was founded in 1927 with the first dean being a British scientist and physician to the Royal family of Iraq, Sir Harry Sanderson. It played a major role in the establishment of the
modern Iraqi healthcare system and provided a pipeline of physicians, some of whom became distinguished professors and consultants in their own right.
During its glorious days, Baghdad College of Medicine was highly regarded among other medical schools in the region where students from countries like Jordan, Lebanon, Egypt, UAE and Sudan received their medical degrees. Its graduates were sought after for postgraduate training in many European and American Universities. Unfortunately its glory dwindled down in the early 1980s because of the tight international embargo and the successive wars that befell Iraq, leaving a major negative impact on the medical education in Iraq.
Since its inception, Baghdad College of Medicine implemented very few changes in its curriculum that was originally adopted from the University of Edinburgh some 80 years earlier. Reviving our curriculum became a must to be able to win the regional and the international accreditation required to train the next generation of knowledgeable, highly skilled physicians so direly needed in Iraq today.

Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 2020

Communication Skills (CS) are essential to health workforce to conduct effective professional-pat... more Communication Skills (CS) are essential to health workforce to conduct effective professional-patient interaction. In Iraq, majority of newly graduated health professionals are engaged in provision of direct health services. However, undergraduate curricula preparing these professionals include no distinct component to train them on CS. This study aims at assessing the status of CS among Health Professions Education (HPE) graduates of University of Duhok (UoD) and estimating the perception of their patients toward those skills. This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014. Data on communication skills was obtained, from samples of different health professionals which included: medical doctors (junior residents, nurses, dentists and pharmacists) who recently graduated from different colleges at the UoD. Also, data from was obtained, their patients, to assess their satisfaction of the professionals' CS. For assessing core CS, a specially designed checklist was adopted from Calgary-Cambridge Guide. Also, senior clinicians were asked on CS performed by their junior residents. Results show that 88% of the senior academic staff regarded CS as "highly essential" and 66% of them were not satisfied with interns' conduct and suggested that CS should clearly be included in the medical curricula. The basic CS were perceived by patients as either not practiced or wrongly practiced. Patients were unsatisfied with the CS of their attending HPs during observed consultation sessions. The study shows obvious lack of CS among HPE graduates of UoD with patients' dissatisfaction of their CSs. It seems legitimate to propose that relevant training elements to be designed and incorporated within training modules are needed to realize as a core element of the curriculum of all HPE colleges at the UoD.

Journal of Health, Medicine and Nursing, 2020

Introduction: Pharmacy practice witnessed dramatic significant changes over the past years worldw... more Introduction: Pharmacy practice witnessed dramatic significant changes over the past years worldwide. The traditional role of the pharmacist involving preparation, dispensing and selling of medications is no longer adequate. This has evolved into direct involvement of the pharmacist in the design, implementation, and monitoring of therapeutic plans to produce specific care outcomes. The Bachelor degree in pharmacy at the University of Aden, Yemen, witnessed scarce reviews or evaluation studies on graduates and curriculum introduced in 1995 and unchanged till 2018. Objectives: To (1) assess perception of pharmacists, working in Aden, of their pre-service education and its relevance to current work and (2) analyze the available benchmarks and propose educational strategies that could be addressed in designing and adopting a reformed pharmacy pre-service curriculum in light of results of the study. Methods: A self-administered questionnaire distributed to 220 pharmacists working in urban Aden city with response rate 86% (n=189). Questions covered general personal information; perception of pre-service educational subjects/courses and their relevance to current job; status of respondents' practice of skills and attitudes acquired during their study. Analysis of the 7-star role of pharmacist is done based on results of the study. Results: Practicing pharmacists work in 5 different settings in Aden, in community pharmacy, hospital pharmacy, industrial pharmaceutics, management of medicines and medical supplies and academic pharmacy. Majority marked existence of weak linkage between preservice curriculum and daily work demands. 16 out of the 17 basic sciences were not used in work and to a lesser degree, similar results of pharmaceutical sciences, skills and attitudes. Accordingly, seven educational strategies are proposed. Conclusion: The study showed that pharmacists working in Aden, Yemen, need different knowledge, skills and attitude to be able to perform the current job demands. The results also showed weak link between education and job practice. One of the main challenges facing pharmacy education is the adoption of educational strategies that respond to lack of active acquisition of the needed competencies to produce a "fit-for-purpose pharmacy graduate."

BMC Medical Education (2018) 18:53, 2018

Background: The environment for medical education in Iraq has been difficult for many years. The ... more Background: The environment for medical education in Iraq has been difficult for many years. The 2003 invasion of Iraq accelerated a steady emigration of faculty and graduates. Kidnappings and deaths of doctors became commonplace. To understand current career plans, expectations and perceptions of medical students, three Baghdad medical schools were surveyed. Methods: Written questionnaires were completed by 418 medical students variously in their 4th, 5th and 6th (final)years of training. We asked about perceptions of the quality of their medical education, the quality of health services in Iraq generally, and about deaths, injuries and migration of faculty, classmates and family. Results: The average age of students was 22 years, with 59% women. Most students (90%) were originally from Baghdad. Although there were some positive responses, many students (59%) rated the overall quality of their medical education as fair or poor. Three-fourths of students believed the quality of hospital care in Iraq to be only fair or poor. A majority of students (57%) stated they were thinking frequently or all the time about leaving Iraq after graduation. Reasons given for leaving included the desire for further education, seeking a better lifestyle and fleeing conflict. Leading reasons for staying included the pull of friends and family, familiarity with the health system, and a sense of responsibility to the country. Nearly one in five (18%) students reported the death of a family member attributable to intentional violence, and 15% reported the violent death of a medical school classmate or faculty member since the 2003 invasion. Half the students reported at least one school faculty members had left Iraq because of the war. Conclusion: Medical students hold a mediocre view of the quality of their medical education and of Iraq's health system. Many of their faculty members have left the country. The majority of students may leave Iraq after graduation, afforded the opportunity. This poses a significant problem for staffing an already demoralized and stressed health system. Current circumstances suggest the situation will continue to deteriorate.

BMJ Open, 2016

Objective: This study surveyed all Iraqi medical schools and a cross-section of Iraqi medical stu... more Objective: This study surveyed all Iraqi medical schools and a cross-section of Iraqi medical students regarding their institutional and student experiences of medical education amidst ongoing conflict. The objective was to better understand the current resources and challenges facing medical schools, and the impacts of conflict on the training landscape and student experience, to provide evidence for further research and policy development.

Clinical and Translational Radiation Oncology, 2019

Background: Residency programs leading to board certification are important for safe and competen... more Background: Residency programs leading to board certification are important for safe and competent Radiation Oncology (RO) practice. In some developing nations, there is a gap in this field. This work addresses the experience that was accomplished to establish such a program in Iraq despite all the challenges that faces a country under war. Methods: Descriptive report of challenges faced in a developing country that is still reeling from war, the steps taken to overcome these challenges and outcomes after graduation of two classes. Results: After over 18 months of prerequisite technical and logistical preparations, a group of local and external faculty members were invited to establish the required syllabus of a structured RO residency program in Iraq. It is comprised of a total of 100 postgraduate academic credits over a 48-months period after clinical internship. First year evaluations included regular practical assessments; seven in-house papers covering RO, cancer and radiation biology, medical physics, radiological anatomy and diagnostic oncology, tumor pathology, onco-pharmacology, and medical statistics, research methodology, and cancer epidemiology, followed by a comprehensive examination. Subsequent evaluations were on an annual bases with enrollment in the American College of Radiology In-Training examination in RO. Final assessment included logbook and skills' reviews, graduation thesis or peer-review publication, two-papers' written examination, and an exit practical examination. Conclusions: Given the political, economic and social difficulties in postwar Iraq, it was a major challenge to establish a residency program in RO. Despite the significant difficulties, the first residency program leading to board certification in RO was successfully started in Iraq. The new specialists will help in addressing the shortage of radiation oncologists in the country.

Preprints.org (www.preprints.org) Posted: 18 November, 2024

Abstract: Iraq’s healthcare demands cannot be delivered without quality pharmaceutical systems th... more Abstract: Iraq’s healthcare demands cannot be delivered without quality pharmaceutical systems that regulate, supply, and promote the appropriate use of medicinal products. Without accurate reporting about Iraq’s pharmaceutical processes, systems and challenges, meaningful healthcare reform consistent with national goals for social stability will not be achievable. This article evaluates the pharmaceutical system in place for delivery and use of medical products to ensure patient protection and the optimisation of health outcomes in Iraq. A narrative review collected peer-reviewed articles, publications from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google within the last 25 years. The articles were analysed in the context of Iraq’s pharmaceutical context. Figures were synthesised and a diagram was used with the data to guide recommendations. The administrative and technical units were elucidated. Streamlining of regulatory processes was highlighted as an area lacking funding. Deficiencies in oversight of the private sector and the need for empowerment of the domestic pharmaceutical industry were significant findings. Improvements in educational curricula and training of
pharmaceutical professionals are required. Modernisation of health information and research systems were considered necessary. Success in the development of a functional pharmaceutical system was strongly associated with both reform of the healthcare system and development of
national economic interests to support the State’s legitimacy.

Keywords: drug policy; healthcare system; Iraq; pharmaceutical system; pharmacy education medicine regulatory framework

International Journal of Health Sciences, 2022

Abstract---Background: Health care team relationship and collaboration increases the effectivenes... more Abstract---Background: Health care team relationship and
collaboration increases the effectiveness and efficiency of the practice,
as well as patient outcomes. Aims: The purpose of this study is to
investigate the perception of nurses and physician regarding their
collaborative in pediatrics Hospitals/ Babylon, Iraq. Methods: A
comparative study is conducted in Baghdad Province at the pediatric
hospitals. A non probability convenience of 390 nurses and 107
physician participated in the study. The reliability of the questionnaire
was achieved through a pilot study and then presented to experts to
prove its credibility. The data were collected by using self-report
techniques method and analyzed through the application of
descriptive and inferential statistical analysis.Results: Findings show
that the mean age for nurses is 27, the age 20-29 years old were
recorded the highest percentage among nurses (83.3%) and the mean
age among physician is 34, the age 30-39 years old were recorded the
highest percentage among physician (37.4%), the female were
predominated among nurses (80%), compared with male among
physician (60.7%), both nurses and physician had been 5 to 10 years
of experience (70% and 45.8%) respectively, most of nurses work at
words (80%) and most of physician work at emergency department
(53.3%). Findings indicate that the nurse-physician perception related
to relationship was demonstrate at M ± SD= 36.69 ± 5.135 among
nurses and M ± SD = 29.05 ± 2.935 among physician. There were
highly significant difference in perception towards relationship with
regard to nurses (M ± SD= 2.03±0.285) and physicians (M ±
1723
SD=1.61±0.163) at p-value <0.01. Conclusion: Nurses expressed a
more cooperative than the physicians, and physicians expressed a
negative perception towards nurses-physician collaboration due to do
not understand the roles of nurses at work. Hospital Administration
need to be establishing programs to enhance the communication
between nurses and physicians through these programs they
understand and improving collaborative relationship between nurses
and physicians through understand each other’s roles.
Keywords---perception, nurses, physicians, collaborative

Journal of Ethnicity in Substance Abuse, 2024

Background: Hookah or waterpipe smoking use is a developing trend in the many populations, especi... more Background: Hookah or waterpipe smoking use is a developing trend in the many populations, especially among the young age group. Hookah users are exposed to many of the same toxic compounds or by-products as cigarette users with a higher level of harmful effects. Aim of the study: To assess frequency, knowledge, attitude health behavior toward the risks and complication of cigarettes smoking and hookah in particular of Al-Kindy medical students. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 to assess frequency of Hookah smoking among 507 medical students at Al-Kindy Medical College. An online questionnaire by Google forms was used to collect the data. Results: The total participants students were 507 who studied at Al-kindy College of Medicine in different stages. Males were constituted 63.1% and the rest were females (36.9%). Regarding smoking habit, 31.95% (162) of them were smoker and the rest 68.05% (345) were not smoker(p = 0.000). Most of them had mixed type of smoking (cigar, hookah, and vape) (14.19%). (0.000) that it had an effect on general health (46.1%), lung (68.8%), larynx (67.1%), heart, blood pressure, diabetes but not bladder, stomach, COVID-19 transmission. There is a significant increase (63.5%) (p = 0.000) regarding their attitude that hookah had a significant amount of tobacco, no benefit of fruity flavors (62.3%), and no relaxation effect (90.53%). Conclusions: There is a significant decrease in smoking habits among medical students due to their knowledge of its negative effects on health.

Journal of Creative Writing, 2023

The University of Al-Qarawiyyin is renowned as the most ancient and historic academic institution... more The University of Al-Qarawiyyin is renowned as the most ancient and historic academic institution in the world. This university offers a conventional teaching method in the present day, which presents a significant challenge in the 21st century. How is this pedagogy still advantageous for human beings? How does it contribute to mental or intellectual development? This study report intends to investigate the efficacy of conventional teaching for human beings. For this paper, I want to engage in discussions with others, with the aim of exchanging and acquiring information via research articles. Traditional pedagogy promotes the development of close relationships between instructors and students, fosters the acquisition of skills and critical thinking, emphasizes memorization and spoken communication, and enhances attention and group debate. Al-Qarawiyyin University adheres to a traditional pedagogy in order to impart religious teachings and promote the authentic principles of Islam.

International Journal of Teaching, Learning and Education (IJTLE) Vol-3, Issue-4,: , 2024

In a move bridging the science-humanities gap, Al-Nahrain University Medical College in Iraq inte... more In a move bridging the science-humanities gap, Al-Nahrain University Medical College in Iraq integrated storytelling, arts, and ethical reflection into their first-year English course, fostering empathy and cultural sensitivity in future doctors. This experiment, despite challenges like large class size, received overwhelmingly positive student feedback, highlighting the value of engaging content, creative methods, and skill development for well-rounded healthcare professionals. This pioneering effort offers valuable insights and challenges for educators seeking to implement similar medical humanities programs.

Russian Journal of Agricultural and Socio-Economic Sciences (RJOAS), 2024

The prolonging war actions in Iraq have given rise to cumulative increase in environmental pollut... more The prolonging war actions in Iraq have given rise to cumulative increase in environmental pollutions across country. Areas which have been extensively polluted include air, land, water and the health infrastructure to a greater extend. War has been ongoing for over two decades and the environmental damage couldn't be avoided. War in Iraq contaminated the sand through the military actions that reconfigured the desert sands raising dust and causing air and land pollution simultaneously. The dust storms generated by military actions would reach the cities such as Erbil and Baghdad contaminating environmental surfaces and infrastructure. Evidence from experiments conducted by measuring the amount uranium levels in animal organs show that there is the presence of depleted uranium the Iraqi food chains and webs. Results further shows that the highest depleted uranium concentration is found in the Southern part of Iraq. Places like the Al-Twaitha nuclear research site are considered to be extensively polluted because of the destruction of nuclear reactors in the Gulf war of 1991. Furthermore, more barrels which had radioactive materials were stolen from the site in 2001. Soil samples around the site exhibited a high amount of CS-137 and Co-60 which are damaging to human beings and biodiversity. Health complications which have been observed include birth defects and cancer due to the radioactive chemicals emitted during war. As noted above, environmental damage in form of infrastructural damage remains an outcome of Iraq's long war, and rapid industrialization in oil extraction and urbanization. The most affected cities in Iraq are Erbil, Basrah, Faluja, Baghdad, Mosul, and Thi-qar. This analysis concludes that the presence of an extensively contaminated environment due to the past and current wars, rapid industrialization is directly connected to the health complications being sustained.

Journal of Education and Teaching (JET), 2024

This study examines the implementation of student-centered learning at Soran University in the Ku... more This study examines the implementation of student-centered learning at Soran University in the Kurdistan Region and identifies factors that limit its adoption. The research emphasizes student involvement in the learning process, shifting the primary responsibility from teachers to students, and assessing the approach's effectiveness. Grounded in John Dewey's "Learning by Doing" theory, which advocates for learning through activities with active student participation, the study provides a theoretical framework aligned with creating a more participatory learning environment. A structured survey was conducted with 104 teachers from various faculties and departments, focusing on the extent of student-centered practices, faculty attitudes, and organizational constraints. Data analysis through SPSS revealed a moderate adoption of student-centered approaches. However, significant barriers persist, including the continued reliance on traditional teaching methods, large class sizes, limited resources, and insufficient institutional support. These obstacles highlight the challenges educators face in fully embracing student-centered learning. The study notes some progress in implementing student-centered approaches but underscores the need for effective strategies to enhance this implementation at Soran University. Recommendations include providing more faculty training, improving resource allocation, and increasing institutional support to overcome these barriers and maximize the benefits of studentcentered learning in higher education.

The Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2022

By 2024, all international medical graduates (IMGs) intending to apply for certification or gain ... more By 2024, all international medical graduates (IMGs) intending to apply for certification or gain verification of their primary medical qualification (PMQ) by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) will require that their medical school has been appropriately accredited. The World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) Recognition Program is the only one accepted by the ECFMG for the recognition of medical school accrediting agencies. This applies to anyone intending to work or study in the United States, United Kingdom and an increasing number of countries adopting such approach. The process of accreditation of Iraqi medical colleges started in 2007 but to date there is no internationally recognized body in Iraq to accredit those colleges. This means by the 2024, graduates from Iraqi medical colleges may not be able to work and study in many parts of the world. Urgent action is required as we detailed in this article. ministry of higher education, universities, medical colleges need to collaborate with the National Council to get it recognized by the WFME and save the future of thousands of doctors who will graduate in the forthcoming years starting with 2024 and on.
الملخص: Arabi summary:
اعتماد كليات الطب العراقية: الانذار الاخير
بحلول عام 2024 ، سيتطلب من جميع خريجي كليات الطب حول العالم والذين يعتزمون التقدم للحصول على شهادة أو التحقق من مؤهلاتهم الطبية الأولية والاعتراف، يتوجب أن تكون كلياتهم الطبية معتمدة من قبل مجلس اعتماد معترف به (شهادات البكالوريوس) من قبل اللجنة التعليمية الأميركية لخريجي الطب الأجانب ((ECFMG وهو البرنامج الوحيد الذي تم قبوله من قبل اللجنة ذات النفوذ العالمي. وهذا اعتماد معترف به من برنامج الاعتراف بالفيدرالية العالمية للتعليم الطبي (WFME). وينطبق هذا الأمر على أي طبيب يعتزم العمل أو الدراسة في الولايات المتحدة والمملكة المتحدة وعدد متزايد من البلدان التي تتبنى مثل هذا النهج. وكانت قد بدأت عملية اعتماد كليات الطب العراقية في عام (2007) ولكن حتى الآن لا توجد هيئة اعتماد معترف بها دوليا في العراق لاعتماد تلك الكليات. هذا يعني أنه بحلول عام (2024) قد لا يتمكن خريجو كليات الطب العراقية من العمل والدراسة في أجزاء كثيرة من دول العالم. المطلوب إجراء عاجل كما ذكرنا بالتفصيل في هذه المقالة وأهمه هو المطلوب من وزارة التعليم العالي والجامعات والكليات الطبية ونقابة الأطباء إلى التعاون مع المجلس الوطني لاعتماد كليات الطب في العراق بإصدار التعليمات وتقديم العون للمجلس للحصول وإنقاذ مستقبل آلاف الأطباء الذين سيتخرجون في السنوات القادمة من كليات الطب العراقية بدءًا من عام (2024) وما بعده ليتمكن هذا المجلس من الحصول على اعتراف الفيدرالية العالمية للتعليم الطبي وكما بيّنا بالتفصيل في المقال. (المجلة الطبية لجامعة البصرة. 2022. المجلد [40]؛ العدد [1]: الصفحات [1-7].
http://dx.doi.org/10.33762/mjbu.2022.176729

Journal of the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society Volume 28, Issue 1: 22-35, 2024

While program-level learning objectives are required for medical school accreditation, session-le... more While program-level learning objectives are required for medical school accreditation, session-level learning objectives are not, although many institutions use them. Most pre-clerkship basic science medical educators (PCBSMEs) do not have formal pedagogy training, so it is unknown when PCBSMEs learn about learning objectives or how they communicate them to students. A questionnaire was designed to phenomenologically explore these aspects during PCBSMEs' time as a student and as an educator. Qualitative data underwent inductive thematic analysis and generated two descriptive themes. Theme Educator Experiences describes how respondents learned about and used learning objectives as a student and as an educator. Theme Educator Communications describes how PCBMSEs communicate with students about using learning objectives. The relationship between themes suggest learning occurs following Bandura's Social Cognitive Theory. Findings indicate potential obstacles preventing implementation or communication about learning objectives, regardless of training. Strategies to proactively expose PCBSMEs to pedagogical concepts regarding learning objectives are recommended.

Kirkuk Journal of Medical Sciences, 2023

Abstract: The National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) has been working on ... more Abstract: The National Council for Accreditation of Medical Colleges (NCAMC) has been working on accrediting Iraqi medical schools. However, the NCAMC is not internationally recognized by the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME), which is necessary to meet the requirements of the ECFMG's Recognized Accreditation Policy starting in 2024. This policy states that a medical school must have recognized accreditation from an external quality assurance organization. In the future, only medical schools accredited according to this policy will meet the ECFMG's requirements. Medical graduates who want to work, train, register, do research, volunteer, or pursue other opportunities must apply for verification of their primary medical qualification (PMQ). Verification for international medical graduates (IMGs) in the United States, Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and many other countries is done through the ECFMG's online system called Electronic Portfolio of International Credentials (EPIC). Since Iraqi medical schools do not currently meet international standards, the quality of their education is at risk, and this could affect the future of new graduates. To safeguard Iraqi medical education and the future of new doctors beyond 2024, the Ministry of Higher Education, universities, medical colleges, and the Iraqi Medical Association (IMA) should collaborate with the NCAMC to gain recognition from the WFME.

Mosul Journal of Nursing, 2023

Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the instructional program on knowledge for breast canc... more Objectives: To assess the effectiveness of the instructional program on knowledge for breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A quantitative/Quasi-experimental study was conducted among 118 breast cancer patients, (59 study group, 59 control group) the 59 study group has been exposed to the instructional program while the 59 control group has not been exposed to the instructional program. The instrument used in this study Breast Cancer and Chemotherapy Questionnaire (BCCQ). Results: The study finding shows, a deficit of knowledge among breast cancer patients in the pre-test before the instructional program about breast cancer and chemotherapy, but after the program in the post-test, the knowledge improved, which means that the effectiveness of the instructional program in increasing patients' knowledge about breast cancer and chemotherapy. Conclusions: The majority of the sample in both the study and control group were answered incorrectly for most items, which means had poor knowledge about breast cancer and chemotherapy for both groups at this point in a pretest. The patients who were exposed to the instructional program noticed improved knowledge, unlike the patients who were not exposed to the program and still have no information about breast cancer and chemotherapy. Recommendations: The study recommended conducting continuous educational workshops by the Ministry of Health and health institutions to increase women's knowledge about breast cancer and chemotherapy, as well as encourage them to early detection of breast cancer.

Journal of College of Law for Legal and Political Sciences, 2021

Explaining the criminal responsibility resulting from practicing alternative medicine methods has... more Explaining the criminal responsibility resulting from practicing alternative medicine methods has a weakness in legal regulation, as the penal laws are silent regarding alternative medicine leaving this matter to the general rules that regulate the issue of criminal responsibility for intentional and unintentional acts. The integrity of his body by specifying deterrent penalties for crimes arising from practicing alternative medicine methods intentionally or by mistake. Likewise, it is difficult to find a point of convergence between a person’s right to characterize his body and methods of alternative medicine, especially if these methods are harmful to human life and safety, and here criminal responsibility for these methods is established, in addition to Therefore, the absence of the law regulating this case, for which many people sought to claim their knowledge and technical assets in the practice of alternative medicine.
Key words: medicine, alternative, criminal

Annual Seminar Civil Community Studies , 2024

Abstrac One of the basic issues that any country faces in its political health system is the fund... more Abstrac
One of the basic issues that any country faces in its political health system is the funding it provides for health services to citizens, This study dealt with the strategy for financing health services in Iraq after years of deteriorating health conditions and its impact on the lives of Iraqis, with a lack of health services and a lack of infrastructure, medicines and medical devices, Iraq faced a health crisis in light of the Covid-19 pandemic in order to contain the spread of the virus2020, Many Iraqis still feel that the government lacks a clear strategy in this regard, as cases of the “Covid-19” epidemic have reached 1.4 million people, of whom 17,000 have died, and the numbers may be much higher given that official numbers are often unreliable, With the arrival of this epidemic in Iraq, the lack of hospitals, equipment, and laboratories was clear, According to some estimates, Iraq needs more intensive care beds, and in fact, the government's wrong policies have exacerbated the situation. Improving the health system in Iraq is fundamentally linked to moving towards a strategy for financing health services and combating corruption, two conditions that the Iraqi government has failed to achieve since 2003. This paper presents four basic axes: the concept of financing health services, sources of financing, and a strategy for financing health services, as well as recommendations.

Thi-Qar Medical Journal (TQMJ):, 2024

Background: The physician-patient relationship has long been linked with a special ethos of confi... more Background: The physician-patient relationship has long been linked with a special ethos of confidentiality. It is one of the most important aspect in any medical specialty, it promises patients' trust in the health system. Healthcare workers in general, and doctors in particular, must to be knowledgeable about patients' rights. Aim of study: To examine practicing physicians' knowledge and attitudes related to different aspects of patient confidentiality and data sharing. Subjects and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with analytic component conducted in two teaching hospitals and six Primary Health Care Centers in Baghdad during a period of 10 months from 1 st of February to 1 st of December 2023. It included 253 physicians. Data collected by a questionnaire with three parts: Socio-demographic characteristics, knowledge about data sharing and confidentiality, and attitudes towards patient confidentiality and data sharing). Results: In this study, 52.5% of participants had fair knowledge towards patient confidentiality and 19% were with poor knowledge. Rates of good knowledge were significantly higher in female physicians, physicians who had board certificate, and those who received training on medical ethics. Regarding physicians' attitude towards patient confidentiality, 79.9% were found to have a positive attitude 20.1% had negative attitude. Having board degree, having contact with > 40 patients per day, and taking training on medical ethics were significant factors associated with positive attitude of physicians towards patient confidentiality. Conclusion: The majority of participants showed fair level of knowledge and positive attitude towards patient confidentiality. The most important modifiable factors that may increase the level of knowledge and attitude were getting higher level of education (board certificate) and taking training on medical ethics.

Educ Health, 2022

Background: The mandate of medical schools is to enrich the health system through education, rese... more Background: The mandate of medical schools is to enrich the health system through education, research, and service to satisfy the health needs of the societies they serve. The social accountability (SA) movement aims to intensify the medical school's mission. Although the context of every school is unique, one of the increasingly significant roles of medical education is to develop the indicators that promote SA. The aim of this study is to define the determinants of SA in Iraq using

Book: Modern Technology in Healthcare and Medical Education.IGI Global-USA, 29 Apr 2024 - Medical - 310 pages, 2024

The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) with Artificial Intelligence (... more The integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) has immense potential to have beneficial effects for institutions of healthcare and medical education. However, this integration has become so complex, it presents numerous challenges across various domains. Researchers and practitioners often need help to keep pace with the rapid advancements of technologies and applications. Issues such as privacy, security, scalability, and optimization of AR/VR setups remain critical concerns for healthcare industry professionals and academics alike. There needs to be a comprehensive resource that addresses these challenges if we expect the field to grow in an effective and responsible manner.
Modern Technology in Healthcare and Medical Education: Blockchain, IoT, AR, and VR offer a solution to these challenges. By providing insights from researchers and experts in the field, this book serves as a valuable reference for addressing real-world problems. This book is a must-have resource for doctoral and post-doctoral researchers, undergraduate and postgraduate students, industry professionals, and government agencies working in AR/VR. It provides a roadmap for future research and development in this rapidly evolving field. It covers a wide range of topics, including enhancements in AR/VR, AI integration, task-specific training, and applications in healthcare and education.

The Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2022

Background: Communication skills have no clear curriculum in most Iraqi medical colleges. This sh... more Background: Communication skills have no clear curriculum in most Iraqi medical colleges. This shortcoming of education is reflected on doctor centered approach practice.
Objectives: To identify challenges facing the introduction of communication skills into medical education.
Methods: A questionnaire-based study was conducted to explore the opinion of healthcare professionals regarding challenges facing the introduction of communication skills in their institutions.
Results: One hundred forty-four participants responded. The frequency of challenges related to medical practice, education, and patients was 36%, 44%, and 20% respectively. Forty-four participants (30.5%) mentioned that challenges related to the medical colleges’ adoption of the traditional subject-based curriculum, and biomedical approach, with nearly the same frequency of the participants, related challenges to the lack of a clearly defined curriculum, and (23%) due to scarcity of human, financial, and logistical resources.
Medical practice-related challenges include doctor-centred approach and neglect of patients' psychosocial aspects in the frequency of 44% and 28% respectively. Twelve respondents (8%) believe that doctors’ use of medical jargon hinders the patient's contribution to the medical interview.
Low health literacy, language, and cultural metaphors constituted 71%, and 15% respectively.
There is no significant statistical difference in challenges in relation to specialty, workplace, sex, and years of practice.
Conclusion: Multiple levels of challenges need systematic review in educational curricula, medical practice, and social determinants.

Lancet Oncol 2023 (Published Online August 10, 2023), 2023

In his 20 years in service, Layth Mula-Hussein, a consultant radiation oncologist at Sultan Qaboo... more In his 20 years in service, Layth Mula-Hussein, a consultant radiation oncologist at Sultan Qaboos Comprehensive Cancer Care and Research Centre (Oman) and originally from Iraq, and has seen more than enough patients with cancer whose care could have been improved with an unbattered health-care system in the war-torn Arab nation. “I was raised
in Mosul, and my city boasted the second largest hospital in the country”,
Mula-Hussein told The Lancet Oncology. “There are still numerous problems in Iraq, but considering our war history, we are making strides of improvement.”

Open Access Maced J Med Sci., 2021

BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are reflected and linked to human behavior in many aspects. Me... more BACKGROUND: Mental health problems are reflected and linked to human behavior in many aspects. Medical students are susceptible to a wide variety of events that compromise their mental well-being, social life as well as their academic achievements. AIM: This study aimed to find the impact of social support on medical students' behavior in Iraq via assessing their depression, anxiety, and stress status. METHODS: A cross-sectional online survey-based study targeted all medical students in Iraq. The employed questionnaires covered mental health status of participants by evaluating their perceptions of depression, anxiety, and stress using. Data were analyzed using the Statistical Analysis System. RESULTS: The study revealed a significant influence of social support on students' perceptions of depression and anxiety, but not of their perception of stress. CONCLUSION: Lending social support to medical student is crucial to improve their depression and anxiety with all the positive results that the support brings to their behavior and social life. However, they need more than the social support to keep them safe from academic and daily life stressors.

The Medical Journal of Basrah University, 2021