A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis

Abstract Introduction Understanding the differences and similarities between the different curricula enhances global nursing education practices. Aim This study aimed to explore the doctoral nursing curriculum in Iran and its alignment with the standards set forth by the American Association of Coll...

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Main Author: Zahra Farsi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Nursing
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03402-4
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author Zahra Farsi
author_facet Zahra Farsi
author_sort Zahra Farsi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Introduction Understanding the differences and similarities between the different curricula enhances global nursing education practices. Aim This study aimed to explore the doctoral nursing curriculum in Iran and its alignment with the standards set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) using the SPICES model, which emphasizes student-centered, problem-based, integration, community-based, elective, and systematic approaches. Materials and methods This comparative study was conducted using the Bereday’s model in 2025. To compare two curricula based on the SPICES model, in addition to researcher analysis, data analysis using ChatGPT artificial intelligence was also used. Findings This study reveals that both curricula highlight the SPICES model; however, the Iranian program tends to adopt a more conventional teaching style, potentially limiting the cultivation of critical thinking and adaptive abilities needed in contemporary healthcare environments. The AACN places a greater emphasis on student-centered, experiential, inquiry-driven, and problem-solving learning compared to Iran. The AACN incorporates clinical, systems, and population health extensively, while Iran demonstrates a moderate level of integration, primarily within health-related fields. The emphasis on community is moderate in both cases, but AACN tends to prioritize public health more. AACN provides greater flexibility in its curriculum, while Iran adheres to a standardized national framework. Both adhere to a systematic approach, with Iran being somewhat more structured. Conclusion Iran may benefit from adopting elements of the SPICES model, particularly in enhancing collaborative learning opportunities and incorporating technology, while the United States could strengthen its cultural competency training to better prepare nurses for diverse patient populations. This mutual learning could significantly enhance nursing education efficacy in both countries.
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spelling doaj-art-a1ea173725cb4f749cc115e0afc00e8b2025-08-20T03:45:24ZengBMCBMC Nursing1472-69552025-07-0124111210.1186/s12912-025-03402-4A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysisZahra Farsi0Research and Ph.D. Nursing Departments, Nursing School, Aja University of Medical SciencesAbstract Introduction Understanding the differences and similarities between the different curricula enhances global nursing education practices. Aim This study aimed to explore the doctoral nursing curriculum in Iran and its alignment with the standards set forth by the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) using the SPICES model, which emphasizes student-centered, problem-based, integration, community-based, elective, and systematic approaches. Materials and methods This comparative study was conducted using the Bereday’s model in 2025. To compare two curricula based on the SPICES model, in addition to researcher analysis, data analysis using ChatGPT artificial intelligence was also used. Findings This study reveals that both curricula highlight the SPICES model; however, the Iranian program tends to adopt a more conventional teaching style, potentially limiting the cultivation of critical thinking and adaptive abilities needed in contemporary healthcare environments. The AACN places a greater emphasis on student-centered, experiential, inquiry-driven, and problem-solving learning compared to Iran. The AACN incorporates clinical, systems, and population health extensively, while Iran demonstrates a moderate level of integration, primarily within health-related fields. The emphasis on community is moderate in both cases, but AACN tends to prioritize public health more. AACN provides greater flexibility in its curriculum, while Iran adheres to a standardized national framework. Both adhere to a systematic approach, with Iran being somewhat more structured. Conclusion Iran may benefit from adopting elements of the SPICES model, particularly in enhancing collaborative learning opportunities and incorporating technology, while the United States could strengthen its cultural competency training to better prepare nurses for diverse patient populations. This mutual learning could significantly enhance nursing education efficacy in both countries.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03402-4NursingEducationProgramCurriculumIranUnited States
spellingShingle Zahra Farsi
A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
BMC Nursing
Nursing
Education
Program
Curriculum
Iran
United States
title A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
title_full A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
title_fullStr A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
title_full_unstemmed A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
title_short A comparative study of Iran’s doctoral nursing curriculum with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) based on the SPICES model: integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
title_sort comparative study of iran s doctoral nursing curriculum with the american association of colleges of nursing aacn based on the spices model integrating artificial intelligence into analysis
topic Nursing
Education
Program
Curriculum
Iran
United States
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12912-025-03402-4
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