Factors Affecting Educational Justice in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences: A Review Study

Rooeintan, Mansooreh; Toulabi, Tahereh; Heidarizadeh, Khadijeh

doi:10.22087/ijac.2026.538105.1067

Factors Affecting Educational Justice in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences: A Review Study

Document Type : Review

Authors

Mansooreh Rooeintan ¹

Tahereh Toulabi ²

Khadijeh Heidarizadeh ³

¹ Department of Medical and Surgical Nursing, Nursing Care Research Center in Chronic Diseases, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran

² Cardiovascular Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

³ Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Lorestan University of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran

10.22087/ijac.2026.538105.1067

Abstract

Educational justice is a fundamental principle in academic systems; however, numerous challenges hinder its realization in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences. This narrative review was conducted in 2024 to identify the key factors influencing educational justice in these institutions. A comprehensive literature search was conducted in the international (SCOPUS and PubMed) and national (SID and Magiran) databases. The inclusion criteria encompassed Persian and English-language articles that addressed educational justice in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences, with relevant keywords appearing in the title or abstract. The exclusion criteria were the lack of access to full-text articles and editorials. Based on the findings of seven eligible studies, the factors affecting educational justice were categorized into two main groups: facilitators (e.g., the absence of discrimination between faculty and students) and barriers (e.g., exposure to unfavorable clinical realities). In conclusion, to promote educational justice in Iranian Universities of Medical Sciences, policymakers and academic leaders must incorporate these influencing factors into strategic planning and educational reforms.

Keywords

Educational Justice

Medical Science Universities

Narrative review study

1- Vejdani H, Mohsenipouya H, Azadi F, Fazeli F, Bashghare A, Jannati Y, Sanagoo A, Jouybari L. A study of clinical justice in the experiences of patients, nurses, and nursing students: a qualitative study. Journal of qualitative research in health sciences 2021; 10(4): 231-237 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22062/jqr.2021.193619.0
2- Mahmodi M, Mahmoudi M, Ghoreyshi SA. Identifying and ranking the key factors affecting educational justice and presenting an appropriate model in Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences. Journal of Educational Sciences 2023; 30(1): 81-100 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22055/edus.2023.41039.3372
3- Mehrabani M, Niazazari K, Taghvaei Yazdi M. Identifying Factors Affecting Educational Justice and Its Role in Dynamics and Healthiness of Students of Tehran Payame Noor University. Jundishapur Education Development Journal 2022; 13(1): 207-219 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22118/edc.2022.339093.2078
4- Yousefi Maghsoudbeiki H, Karimiyar Jahromy M. Educational equity in medical science universities: challenges and approaches. Journal of Education and Ethics in Nursing 2014; 3(1): 9-17 [In Persian].
5- Yamani N, Shaterjalali M, Eghbali B. Educational justice from the perspective of postgraduate students in a medical school in Iran: a qualitative study. Research and Development in Medical Education 2017; 6(1):23-28. https://doi.org/10.15171/rdme.2017.005
6- Jafari E, Homayouni Bakhshayesh N, Alamolhoda J. The lived experiences of students from educational justice in virtual education. Technology of Education Journal 2021; 15(2): 223-238 [In Persian].
7- Kalateh Sadati, A., Sadeghieh, S., & Bagheri Lankarani, K. A qualitative study on the issue of "Justice" in medical education in Iran. Journal of Applied Sociology 2024; 35(1), 31-52 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22108/jas.2024.136573.2362
8- Mohammadi R, Namvar Y, Rastgoi A, Kheirkhah M, Soleimani T. Explaining Educational Justice in Medical Sciences Universities: A Grounded Theory Study. Jundishapur Education Development Journal 2022; 13(2), 421-435 [In Persian].
9- Heidarzadeh A, Dehghan M, Shahmohamadipour P, Taheri Z, Azizzade forouzi M. Relationship between Educational Equity, Academic Burnout and Achievement among Students at Kerman University of Medical Science. Educational Development of Judishapur 2016; 7(4), 299-306 [In Persian].
10- Sanagoo A, Nomali M, Mahasti Jouybar L. Explanation of educational equity among Medical Sciences students: evaluation of Medical Sciences students opinions and experiences. Horizons of Medical Education Development 2011; 4(3), 39-44 [In Persian].
11- Afrazandeh SS, Mirzaei T, Pouraboli B, Sabzevari S. Educational justice and educational citizenship behavior from perspective of nursing students. Journal of Medical Ethics 2016; 10(35): 117-140 [In Persian].
12- Moosavi S, Fatemi S, Nikro R, Mohemkar- Kherandish Sh. Exploration of Medical Sciences Students and Educational Custodians View about Educational Equity in Clinical Environment. Research and Development in Medical Education 2017, 8(4): 1-10 [In Persian].
13- Mohammadi R, Namvar Y, Rastgoo A, Kheirkhah M, Soleimany T. Explaining Educational Justice among professors of medical sciences universities. Medical Journal of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences 2022; 65(3): 1459-1470 [In Persian]. https://doi.org/10.22038/mjms.2022.64565.3808
14- Momenimahmouei H, Pourfatemi A.The relationship between perceived educational justice and awareness offuture career with academic enthusiasm among students of University of medical sciences. Journal of Medical Education and Development 2018; 13 (4): 332-344 [In Persian].
15- Koukourikos K, Tsaloglidou A, Kourkouta L, Papathanasiou IV, Iliadis C, Fratzana A, Panagiotou A. Simulation in clinical nursing education. Acta Informatica Medica 2021;29(1): 15-20.‏
16- Hemmati Maslakpak M, Khalilzadeh H. Nursing Students’ Perspectives on Effective Clinical Education: A Qualitative Study. Iranian journal of medical education 2012; 11 (7): 718-727 [In Persian]