Examining a Paradigm for Cultural Development at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences

Background: Culture plays an important role in social changes; cultural development is essential for social development. The main objective of this research was to determine the current status and optimal state of cultural development and propose a better paradigm at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. For doing so, eight cultural development components were examined using Georges’ theory.

Methods: The statistical population consisted of all 270 employees and managers of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The participants of the present descriptive study consisted of 160 employees and managers (104 managers and 56 employees) of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences. The sample size was chosen via cluster random sampling method calculated by Morgan table. A questionnaire assessing participants’ current and optimal status was completed. The questionnaire’s reliability was confirmed by Cronbach alpha with a coefficient of 90. The content validity of the questionnaire was measured by employees’ opinions. SPSS 16 was used for the statistical analysis.

Results: Assessing the effective factors on cultural development indicated that there was a statistically significant difference between current and optimal status (p<0.001) (95% CI: 1.435.00). Results indicated that there is a significant difference in cultural development between current status and optimal state among the staff of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences.

Conclusion: The results of the research show that cultural education in its optimal state is of higher rank than other indicators. Thus it seems necessary to pay more attention to cultural development and sustainable development.