Internship Program for Health Services Management Students: Challenges and Solutions Publisher



Ep Jaafaripooyan Ebrahim P ; F Habibi FARHAD ; M Mehri MILAD ; J Sajjadikhasraghi JAVAD ; N Alizadeh NEDA
Source: Journal of Health Administration Published:2024

Abstract

Introduction: Quality improvement in education seems essential for the enhancement of educational productivity, learning quality, and learners’ capabilities. This study aimed to identify the challenges and solutions for improving the implementation of the internship program for students of health services management. Methods: The study was conducted using a qualitative approach. This study applied a stakeholder perspective along with a review of studies. A total of 35 interviews were conducted with students, university faculty members, hospital administrators, hospital quality improvement experts, instructors or internship administrators, and university staff managers. Finally, for validation purposes, an expert panel was held with the presence of faculty members in the field of health services management, hospital quality improvement experts, and hospital managers. Results: Students spend their internships in hospitals and headquarter units under the supervision of the head of the unit. The evaluation methods were also completely different through written reports, project completion, direct supervisor evaluation, evaluation by the course instructor, or a combination of the mentioned methods. The challenges for improving the provision of internship units included educational system challenges, professors and trainers-related challenges, challenges related to students, and challenges related to internship objectives. The solutions were also divided into four categories: teacher and course instructor, course syllabus, hospital liaison, and educational field centers. Conclusion: Experienced internship unit supervisors, simultaneous presence of a faculty member and a supervisor from the organization, developing detailed framework for each course, updating the course outlines, especially the practical units, and requiring internship and apprenticeship students to attend committees can be recommended for better implementation of this course. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.