Al Mohaimeed Abdulrahman, Midhet Farid, Barrimah Issam, Saleh Mohamed Nour-El-Din
Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, Qassim University.
Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2012 Jan;6(1):23-9. doi: 10.12816/0005970.
This study aims to describe effects of the accreditation process of the National Commission for Academic Assessment and Accreditation (NCAAA) and its impact on the quality of medical education in one medical college in Saudi Arabia.
We conducted a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) study in Qassim University College of Medicine, where an accreditation exercise led by NCAAA was recently completed. Data pertaining to impact of the accreditation process were collected through self-administered questionnaires and focus-group discussion. Data were aggregated and analyzed and compared with the information from prior to accreditation, where available.
The accreditation process lasted about two years, culminating in the preparation of a self-evaluation report and a visit of external reviewers. The process itself brought significant changes in the educational processes and administration and implementation of the curriculum. Our analysis also indicated significant improvements in the quality of medical education in the College.
The accreditation process was successful in improving quality of medical education, without imposing radical changes in curriculum philosophy or orientation. Better monitoring of students learning outcomes and continuous quality improvement will improve the quality of medical education in the college.
本研究旨在描述沙特阿拉伯学术评估与认证委员会（NCAAA）的认证过程的影响及其对一所医学院校医学教育质量的影响。
我们在卡西姆大学医学院开展了一项混合（定性-定量）研究，该校最近完成了由NCAAA牵头的一次认证活动。通过自行填写问卷和焦点小组讨论收集与认证过程影响相关的数据。对数据进行汇总、分析，并与认证前（如有）的信息进行比较。
认证过程持续了约两年，最终形成了一份自我评估报告并迎来了外部评审员的到访。该过程本身给教育过程以及课程的管理与实施带来了重大变化。我们的分析还表明该学院的医学教育质量有了显著提高。
认证过程成功提高了医学教育质量，且未对课程理念或方向进行根本性变革。更好地监测学生学习成果和持续质量改进将提高该学院的医学教育质量。
