Shared learning in medical science education in the Islamic Republic of Iran: an investigation.

Almost all information about interprofessional education (IPE) comes from a few western countries; little from the rest of the world. This paper helps to rectify that omission. It reports the first phase of a study of "shared learning" between health professions in "medical sciences education" in the Islamic Republic of Iran based on a documentary search and national survey of all government affiliated medical sciences universities (MSUs) with examples which meet some of the criteria for IPE. The second phase, to be reported later, will present findings from an analysis of interviews with administrators at governmental level and teachers and organizers at institutional level regarding their perceptions, experience and expectations of such learning. The study is set in the context of reforms in the organization and delivery of higher education and health care services in Iran.