Identification of alternative topics to diversify medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy student theses: a mixed method study

Abstract

Abstract Introduction The impact of medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy student theses on public health is a crucial concern for policymakers in medical science universities. If student theses correspond to the needs of society, they can significantly affect students’ scientific and practical abilities and lead to the provision of more efficient health services. This study aimed to identify alternative topics to diversify medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy student theses. Methods This mixed method study with an exploratory sequential design was conducted at Kerman University of Medical Science from February to June 2021. The qualitative component entailed a focus group of faculty members (n = 16) and students (n = 4) to extract alternative topics to diversify medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy student theses. The quantitative component included a questionnaire based on emerging subjects and literature review to evaluate the extracted alternative topics. Qualitative data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and quantitative data were analyzed descriptively. Results A total of 20 key participants took part in the focus group meeting, and from 20 questionnaires, 15 were returned with a response rate of 75%. A list of 18 alternative topics was generated and five categories were identified: individual development, research, education, healthcare, and social services. Conclusions The gap between what we know and what is seen in practice is quite large in medical and health-related professions. Alternative topics for medicine, dentistry, and pharmacy student theses contribute to turning knowledge into practice.