Student Participation is a key to Any Change: The Students Role in Medical Education Reform

Background & Objective: The general census is that engagement in educational decision making is the students right To have an effective reform the students and faculty members involvement are necessary The aim of this study was to determine the students` perspective of their role in medical education reforms   Methods: In this qualitative study semistructured interviews were performed on ۵۰ students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences Iran in ۲۰۱۲ Participants were included in the study by purposeful sampling method and with maximum variation The data collection stopped when data saturation was achieved One openended question was asked from all of the participants “what is the students role in medical education reform?” The recoded interviews were transcribed linebyline and analyzed using content analysis method   Results: Student involvement as a key to any change was the main theme which emerged in the study Participation in educational decision making reformoriented thinking selfdirected and critical attitude the ability to use applied scientific knowledge creative thinking and problemsolving ability were the themes which were obtained Motivated instructors dynamic environment and learning opportunities were also mentioned as crucial elements for the students participation in education reform   Conclusion: For any educational reform to be successful it requires students involvement By listening to students we can learn about the ways of improving the classroom or university Abilities such as criticism selfdirecting and problem solving plus having committed professors and dynamic learning climate together make reform possible   Key Words: Reform Educational system Medical student Content analysis