The Evaluation of an Educational Tutor Scheme for Medical Students, In Medical School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Medical students are exposed to variety of stresses which may have effects on their education and health. In this situation "student support systems" are necessary. In Medical School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences for achieving to the goal of supporting and guiding medical students, Tutor Scheme has been organized. In this study efficacy of the tutor scheme and satisfaction of students and tutors is being evaluated. Methods: This cross-sectional study was done in the Medical School of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. Target population was all the students that were supported by the scheme (466) and all the tutors (42). Information was taken by 2 types of questionnaire that were prepared by the researcher. Results: 93.3% of tutors and 72.6% of students thought that it is necessary to have a tutor but there was significant difference between their point of view (p<0.0001). 51.06% of tutors and 25.5% of students were satisfied or very satisfied by the scheme and there was significant difference between their point of view (p<0.0001). Satisfaction in tutors and students was linked with same issues such as initiation of meetings by the faculty, holding meetings during the year by tutor, including social and personal discussions besides academics, participating in monthly meetings, importance of the regularity of meetings, holding meetings in special times such as pre exams periods, having the choice to select or change tutor, performing workshops and group sessions for tutors and paying attention to encouraging tutors. 28.9% of the students hadn’t had any meeting with their tutors and 7.8% that were all guest or displaced students didn’t have tutor. Conclusion: tutors and students both think that having tutor is necessary but the low percentage of satisfaction shows that the scheme needs revision and some changes and also needs providing some facilities