Pathology of Intellectual Capital in the Healthcare and Medical Education System During the COVID-19 Pandemic at North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze and diagnose intellectual capital challenges within the healthcare and medical education system of North Khorasan University of Medical Sciences during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methodology: This research was conducted using a mixed-methods approach, including both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The qualitative section involved interviews with 17 experts in the healthcare and medical education system, selected through purposive sampling. For the quantitative part, 278 presidents, deputies, and experts from the healthcare and medical education sectors were surveyed using stratified random sampling. Data collection involved field methods (interviews, questionnaires) and library research. MAXQDA software was used for qualitative data analysis, while SPSS22 and PLS3 were used for quantitative testing of components' validity and reliability. Findings: The study identified three main themes related to intellectual capital issues: structural weaknesses, human resource challenges, and communication problems. These factors were found to have a significant impact on the current and desired state of the healthcare and medical education systems during the pandemic. The analysis showed that the influence of these issues on intellectual capital retention exceeded the threshold of 1.96, indicating their critical role in affecting organizational efficiency and effectiveness during the COVID-19 crisis. Conclusion: The findings highlight that intellectual capital, particularly in terms of human resources, structural processes, and communication, plays a crucial role in the successful management of healthcare and educational systems during a crisis. Addressing these challenges through improved infrastructure, human resource development, and enhanced communication strategies can significantly improve organizational performance during future crises.