Medical Library and Information Sciences Educational Barriers: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

This study aims to identify the most important barriers in medical library and information sciences (medical LIS) education in Iran and to present suitable solutions to remove these barriers. In this qualitative study, data were gathered from semi-structured interviews with 18 medical LIS PhD students and then analyzed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Educational barriers in medical LIS divided into four categories: curriculum barriers, department and faculty member barriers, official education and professional needs barriers, and student and graduate barriers. Medical LIS education requires major changes, including changes in the current curriculum, quality evaluation of educational groups and faculty members, matching curriculum with current stakeholder needs, as well as addressing motivational and employment barriers for graduates.