Tehran University of Medical Sciences

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The Medical University-Governing Board: An Investigation of Critical Factors in the Board Performance in Iran Publisher



Sajadi HS1 ; Maleki M2 ; Michael S3
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Knowledge Utilization Research Center, University Research and Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Public Health Department, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States

Source: Journal of Applied Research in Higher Education Published:2020


Abstract

Purpose: A university of medical sciences (UMS) is governed by a board that serves analogously as a board of trustees or a governing board in the western countries. In Iran, however, such boards operate under the broad leadership of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MoHME) but still wield enormous power over their universities. Given the influence boards have in the affairs of an UMS, the question remains how the medical university board can be improved so as to improve the overall effectiveness of these institutions. The purpose of this article is a response to this question by focusing on criteria necessary for reviewing board performance. Design/methodology/approach: Using a qualitative approach, the study solicited data from 37 key informants that were purposefully chosen from 52 medical science universities across Iran. Semi-structured face-to-face and phone interviews as well as a review of relevant document were the main means of the data gathering. We performed the framework analysis using software ATLAS-ti (version 5). Findings: The analysis identified 32 overlapping indicators that must be considered in a board performance. These indicators were reclassified and summarized into six categories, including trustees, trustees' leadership, board structure, board process, board output (short-length results) and board outcomes (long-length results). Originality/value: Our study findings confirmed the role of the context and its relationship with the effective board performance. Here, the governing arrangement of all institutions including UMS is shadowed by the social, economic, cultural, political and technological status of the country. So, special attention is recommended to identify what should be considered to evaluate the performance of the board given the context. © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited.