Presenting Dynamic Empowerment Model for Education Principals of University of Medical Sciences: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objective and Aims: Principals of universities of medical sciences play a vital role in improving the quality of medical sciences education in these universities that are educational organizations that provide the workforce of the health system and their subsequent professional development. As a substantial factor, professional capability development that tends to pay attention to management and leadership in medical sciences education and dynamic empowerment model can present a guideline for current and upcoming professional development programs regarding managers and leaders training. The purpose of this study was to present a dynamic empowerment model for education principals of medical sciences. Method: This qualitative study was conducted on Iran's university of medical sciences using thematic analysis during 2020. In this research, 25 education principals of medical sciences were chosen. The data were collected from semi-structured interviews then analyzed using contractual qualitative thematic analysis. Findings: 723 initial were assigned to 59 conceptual codes that were divided into 21 subcategories and seven categories of dynamic empowerment of principals. The main categories included organizational factors development (4 subcategories), personal skills development (4 subcategories), information technology (1 subcategory), managerial factors and skills (4 subcategories), instructional leadership (5 subcategories), environmental factors (1 subcategory), and educational guidance ( 2 subcategories). Conclusion: As a model for professional development programs of education principals in universities of medical sciences, seven categories of dynamic empowerment of education principals of medical sciences in this research can have positive outcomes regarding the quality improvement of medical education. The highest number of mentioned codes was associated with the development of instructional leadership skills; it means that it is essential to hold empowerment courses to improve the leadership skills of education principals.