Saleh Alrebish

Background: The College of Medicine at Qassim University (COMQU) was founded in 2001 as a problem-based learning and community-oriented medical school in order to strengthen the health system not only in the Qassim region but also in the whole of Saudi Arabia. The aim of the current study was to assess whether the COMQU is a socially accountable medical school and the steps taken to achieve that target.Materials and methods: The study used the social accountability grid published by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a framework to assess the social accountability efforts in the context of three functions of medical schools: education, service and research. Data were collected through the analysis of college documents (2001-2017) and interviews with key informants.Results: The COMQU shows compliance towards social accountability in the three domains of the grid. The indicators related to the education domain demonstrate more compliance than those of research and community servic...

Background: A stressful learning environment can hinder student achievement. Building on sociolinguistic theory, student learning is enhanced wherever the mother-tongue language is the same as the teaching instruction medium language. The present study aimed to evaluate the influence of students' non-mother-tongue language learning in the achievement of learning outcomes. Materials and Methods: The present study is a perception study with interventional, quantitative, and educational research component comparing the learning of 1st-year medical students in pure English with their learning using code-switching. The data were collected during the 2018/2019 academic year through a quiz and a questionnaire. Eighty-six 1st-year students' perceptions were compared to those of 72 4th-year students using the same questionnaire. Both t-tests and Chi-squared tests were used for the data analysis with SPSS for Windows, Version 21; P < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Code-switching students scored higher in the postsession quiz. One-third of the 1st-year students felt that learning in English was stressful, and they cited language issues as reasons for their low scores on examinations. They realized, however, that learning in English had positive consequences on their future careers and suggested that a bilingual approach be used, especially in the early stages and for complex topics. Fourth-year students were less apprehensive about learning in English. Conclusions: Ensuring appropriate English language proficiency during the admission process to medical schools and the use of simple, clear language during teaching with code-switching when needed are likely to decrease student stress during learning. This is likely to enhance students' achievement of the intended learning outcomes and maximize their performance after graduation.

Purpose There are no published instruments, which measure tutor motivation for conducting small group tutorials in problem-based learning programs. Therefore, we aimed to develop a motivation for tutoring questionnaire in problem-based learning (MTQ-PBL) and evaluate its construct validity.

Objectives: Students’ feedback is an essential source of data for evaluation and improvement of the quality of education. Nonetheless, feedback may be routinely practised for accreditation purposes, and it is considered as a ritual employed by students, which makes its effectiveness questionable. The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the students’ perceptions about the importance of feedback and the barriers for effective feedback and suggest proper ways to overcome these barriers. Methods: This cross-sectional, anonymous, questionnaire-based study was conducted in the College of Medicine, Qassim University. A total of 299 medical students, composed of 185 male and 114 female, from different levels during December 2015 participated. Mean value, standard deviation, and proportion were used to quantify the quantitative and categorical study and outcome variables. Results: 47% of students responded to the questionnaire with more participation of juniors and females. Half of t...

Background It is vital for healthcare practitioners to have the necessary skills and competence to review the literature and critically appraise research evidence. However, medical students` engagement in research activities continues to be below the expectation. In this study we aimed to investigate students` views about research, and to identify the barriers preventing them from participation in research projects. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in the College of Medicine in Qassim University. A total of 230 students were included. Data were collected online through a self- administered questionnaire .The perceptions of students were assessed using a 16-item questionnaire organized as ; Students` attitudes towards research, Students` perception of research benefits, Students` willingness to participate in research, and Students` perception of research barriers. The mean scores of these four subscales were compared between students using Mann-Whitney test .Factors a...

The last 50 years have featured a number of key milestones for pharmacy education. There has been a gradual rise in the number of colleges offering pharmacy qualifications. The range of curricula has expanded and teaching methods, learning objectives, and course structures have also developed at a rapid rate. Didactic lectures are considered the most commonly applied approach. They have the potential to be motivating and exciting, but their quality depends upon the skills of the presenter. Other styles have been tested and applied successfully, such as problem-based learning (PBL), team-based learning (TBL), self-directed learning (SDL), workshops, seminars, interactive learning, and mixed modes. These methods have been proven to be superior to the traditional lecturing style. Successful outcomes can be achieved by applying or mixing educational styles properly. Thus, each pharmacy college should invest in one or more of these styles and examine the best application for their students.

The accreditation of undergraduate medical education is a universal undertaking. Despite the widespread adoption of accreditation processes and an increasing focus on accreditation as a mechanism to ensure minimum standards are met in various fields, there is little evidence to support the effectiveness of accreditation. The new accreditation body in Saudi Arabia, the National Commission for Academic Accreditation and Assessment (NCAAA), is viewed anecdotally as a positive development; however, its effect on the quality of medical education has not been formally assessed. This thesis uses a mixed methods approach to address this gap in understanding. Accreditation systems for undergraduate medical educational programs can have many goals including ensuring minimal quality standards are met; encouraging continuous improvement; fostering international recognition of medical programs; guaranteeing that students and graduates of accredited programs have comparable opportunities in the g...

Students' feedback is an essential source of data for evaluation and improvement of the quality of education. Nonetheless, feedback may be routinely practised for accreditation purposes, and it is considered as a ritual employed by students, which makes its effectiveness questionable. The aim of this study is to explore and analyze the students' perceptions about the importance of feedback and the barriers for effective feedback and suggest proper ways to overcome these barriers. This cross-sectional, anonymous, questionnaire-based study was conducted in the College of Medicine, Qassim University. A total of 299 medical students, composed of 185 male and 114 female, from different levels during December 2015 participated. Mean value, standard deviation, and proportion were used to quantify the quantitative and categorical study and outcome variables. 47% of students responded to the questionnaire with more participation of juniors and females. Half of the students believed t...