Abstract
Introduction: Professional duties are regarded
as a base for developing the curriculum in a new course. The purpose of this
study is to determine the professional duties of postgraduates of family health
major according to the viewpoints of stakeholders.
Methods: In this cross sectional study,
five type one universities (high quality universities) and four type two and
three universities were randomly selected using Delphi technique. The
participants were directors of health departments, the vice chancellor of
public health authorities, the assistance and managers of health and treatment
networks, the employees of family health units, and also public health
undergraduate students. We developed a questionnaire to gather data. The
questionnaire consisted of an open ended and some demographic questions. Data
was analyzed using the content analysis technique. In this case duties were
defined. Then they were prioritized and finalized in a focus group.
Results: In the first step of Delphi 190
duties were extracted. Then we classified them, based on priority in the second
Delphi, into 102 duties. Finally 16 items were grouped under the domain of
providing services to families, 35 items were in the domain of planning, 50
items were in the domain of supervision, 5 items were in the domain of
research, 13 items were in the domain of management, and 28 items in the domain
of education.
Conclusion: In order to plan for the
education of required family health experts there is a need to define the
duties of family health postgraduates. The results of this study can be used in
the planning of the curriculum of this major.
