Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis
Abstract Background and purpose Recruitment and retention of competent faculty members are important in maintaining and improving the quality of education and research performance of universities. The aim of the present study was to find out the faculty members’ views, experiences, and attitudes to...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2021-01-01
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| Series: | BMC Medical Education |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02473-y |
| _version_ | 1818561448800944128 |
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| author | Maria Shaterjalali Yousef Gholampoor Ali Khani Jeihooni Yaser Mansoori Reza Homayounfar Elham Ehrampoush Shahnaz Karimi |
| author_facet | Maria Shaterjalali Yousef Gholampoor Ali Khani Jeihooni Yaser Mansoori Reza Homayounfar Elham Ehrampoush Shahnaz Karimi |
| author_sort | Maria Shaterjalali |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background and purpose Recruitment and retention of competent faculty members are important in maintaining and improving the quality of education and research performance of universities. The aim of the present study was to find out the faculty members’ views, experiences, and attitudes to identify the reasons for faculty attrition and retention in regional medical schools in Iran. Methods In this qualitative study, we used a content analysis method. The participants included 12 faculty members who had been transferred to type I universities, four faculty members who had applied for transfer, four with more than 10 years of experience and working in the type 3 universities with no intention to be transferred. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, which were conducted either face-to-face or via phone calls. The interview was developed for this study (Supplementary file). To measure the trustworthiness of the data, we evaluated four components of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability, as proposed by Lincoln and Guba. Results The findings were classified into three categories and 14 subcategories. The first category was “retention facilitators” including four subcategories of facilitated communication, proximity to major universities, gaining experience, and support by authorities. The second category was “retention threats” including six subcategories of social infrastructure, individual dimension, occupation dimension, economic dimension, sense of respect, and executive management. The third category was “retention strategies” which included four subcategories of recruitment and promotion processes, inter-university collaboration with type I universities, facilitation of the scientific growth, and fulfilment of the safety needs. Conclusion Several factors play a role in the faculty members’ retention in regional medical schools in Iran. Authorities can create a more positive environment by devising a suitable reward system, supporting academic activities, and increasing the level of faculty autonomy practically to develop a sense of belonging among them and reduce the intention to be transferred among their human resources. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T00:50:59Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-9b5d6a9435c24303956d3c9a82ca7b89 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1472-6920 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T00:50:59Z |
| publishDate | 2021-01-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Medical Education |
| spelling | doaj.art-9b5d6a9435c24303956d3c9a82ca7b892022-12-21T23:23:50ZengBMCBMC Medical Education1472-69202021-01-012111810.1186/s12909-020-02473-yFaculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysisMaria Shaterjalali0Yousef Gholampoor1Ali Khani Jeihooni2Yaser Mansoori3Reza Homayounfar4Elham Ehrampoush5Shahnaz Karimi6Medical Science School, Islamic Azad University of Tonkabon BrancDepartment of Internal Medicine, Fasa University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Public Health, Fasa University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Genetics, Fasa University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition, Fasa University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Nutrition, Fasa University of Medical SciencesMedical Education Research Center, Fasa University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background and purpose Recruitment and retention of competent faculty members are important in maintaining and improving the quality of education and research performance of universities. The aim of the present study was to find out the faculty members’ views, experiences, and attitudes to identify the reasons for faculty attrition and retention in regional medical schools in Iran. Methods In this qualitative study, we used a content analysis method. The participants included 12 faculty members who had been transferred to type I universities, four faculty members who had applied for transfer, four with more than 10 years of experience and working in the type 3 universities with no intention to be transferred. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, which were conducted either face-to-face or via phone calls. The interview was developed for this study (Supplementary file). To measure the trustworthiness of the data, we evaluated four components of credibility, transferability, dependability, and conformability, as proposed by Lincoln and Guba. Results The findings were classified into three categories and 14 subcategories. The first category was “retention facilitators” including four subcategories of facilitated communication, proximity to major universities, gaining experience, and support by authorities. The second category was “retention threats” including six subcategories of social infrastructure, individual dimension, occupation dimension, economic dimension, sense of respect, and executive management. The third category was “retention strategies” which included four subcategories of recruitment and promotion processes, inter-university collaboration with type I universities, facilitation of the scientific growth, and fulfilment of the safety needs. Conclusion Several factors play a role in the faculty members’ retention in regional medical schools in Iran. Authorities can create a more positive environment by devising a suitable reward system, supporting academic activities, and increasing the level of faculty autonomy practically to develop a sense of belonging among them and reduce the intention to be transferred among their human resources.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02473-yAttritionFacultyRetention |
| spellingShingle | Maria Shaterjalali Yousef Gholampoor Ali Khani Jeihooni Yaser Mansoori Reza Homayounfar Elham Ehrampoush Shahnaz Karimi Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis BMC Medical Education Attrition Faculty Retention |
| title | Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis |
| title_full | Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis |
| title_fullStr | Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis |
| title_full_unstemmed | Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis |
| title_short | Faculty retention in regional medical schools in Iran: a qualitative content analysis |
| title_sort | faculty retention in regional medical schools in iran a qualitative content analysis |
| topic | Attrition Faculty Retention |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-020-02473-y |
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