Appreciative Inquiry Approach in Evaluation of Medical Education Programs: Definition and Application

Background: The ultimate goal of educational program evaluation the development of individuals and organizations. Achieving this goal requires evaluation methods with a systematic approach to all components of the program. Methods: In this narrative review study, the keywords "Appreciative Inquiry Approach", Program Evaluation", "Medical Education" were searched in Scopus, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Medline databases between 2010 and March 2021. After removing duplicates and considering the direct relationship of the articles to the study’s aim, full-text articles were reviewed. Findings: In searching for sources, 170 records were found, of which 15 articles were finalized. The steps of the appreciative inquiry approach for the evaluation and development of medical education programs were extracted. Conclusion: The appreciative inquiry approach, as well as evaluating the program, promotes personal, organizational, and social development by enhancing individual and organizational capacities.