Studies have examined social accountability in medical education in Iran, while no studies have deeply focused on social determinants of health, specifically for rehabilitation sciences. On the other hand, the University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences has made significant contributions to the development of rehabilitation in Iran. This study investigates the educational need for integrating social determinants of health within rehabilitation education in Iran. The study was conducted using qualitative content analysis. The study participants consisted of 33 individuals, including students and academic faculty members of rehabilitation departments and members of relevant non-governmental organizations. The data collection method involved focused group discussions to explore the participants' experiences. The Elo and Kyngäs (2008) process was employed using MAXQDA 2018 software to analyze the data. The results revealed the main and core category of requirements for integrating the social determinants of health approach into rehabilitation education, as well as two subcategories: educational content requirements and environmental and educational setting requirements. Students’ educational content requirements were classified into knowledge (including social determinants of health knowledge, the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health framework, various rehabilitation fields, ethical principles, and patients’ rights, etc.), skills (including life skills, teamwork, communication and empathy, teaching, advocacy, etc.), and attitudes (including comprehensive and holistic perspective, etc.). Environmental and educational setting requirements were divided into three subcategories: fundamental and general requirements, theoretical education setting, and clinical education setting. This study identified educational program requirements while ensuring the necessary knowledge, attitudes, and skills essential for realizing this approach. It also identified the educational environment for delivering basic, theoretical, and clinical education.
Type of Study:
Original |
Subject:
Rehabilitation Management Received: 26/12/2023 | Accepted: 21/07/2024 | Published: 30/03/2025