Majid Davari; Fariborz Mokarian; Mohsen Hosseini; Abolfazl Aslani; Alireza Nazari; Farkhondeh Yazdanpanah
Volume 10, Issue 3 , September 2013
Abstract
Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Breast cancer is 21.4% of all cancers among Iranian women. Given the fact that financial and human resources are limited for health care services, the estimation of the direct medical costs of breast cancer can ...
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Introduction: Breast cancer is one of the main causes of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Breast cancer is 21.4% of all cancers among Iranian women. Given the fact that financial and human resources are limited for health care services, the estimation of the direct medical costs of breast cancer can help health policy makers and payers of the cost to understand the burden of breast cancer on their limited financial resources as well as the society. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study to calculate the direct medical costs of managing breast cancer among women in Iran. The medical records of all the registered patients in Seyed Alshohada Hospital (SSH) in Isfahan, Iran were used as data source of the study. The patients' demographic information, disease stages and the received services extracted from the patients' records. The direct medical costs associated with treating patients in both public and private sectors were calculated. Data were analyzed with statistical software SPSS 16. Results: The mean age of the patients was 49 years. The distribution of the patients in the I-IV stages of the disease were 4.1%, 28.8%, 26.6% and 41.1%, respectively. The direct medical cost of treating patients in the four stages of disease were IRR (Iranian Rial) 103,809,250; 106,715,180; 133,462,730; and 109,538,070 respectively. Conclusion: The direct medical cost of breast cancer in Iran is more than 304'836 billion IRR in Iran. The mean age of the patients in Iran is almost 10 years lower than the western countries, which is increased the burden of disease in Iran significantly. Drug therapy is the main cost component of the treatment cost. Cost effectiveness analysis of alternative treatments in breast cancer may improve the efficiency of the breast cancer management. Keywords: Breast Neoplasm; Cost Analysis; Iran
Sedigheh Mohammadesmaeil; Farideh Movahedi
Volume 10, Issue 2 , July 2013
Abstract
Introduction: The main aim of this study was to recognize the correlation between the emotional intelligence factors and virtual reference skills in academic libraries of medical sciences in Iran. Methods: In this study, the study population consisted of 44 subjects (employed in academic libraries of ...
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Introduction: The main aim of this study was to recognize the correlation between the emotional intelligence factors and virtual reference skills in academic libraries of medical sciences in Iran. Methods: In this study, the study population consisted of 44 subjects (employed in academic libraries of medical sciences) who were randomly selected. The data collection tools were two questionnaires one of which was to measure emotional intelligence skills based on interpersonal subscale of Bar-on emotional intelligence questionnaire, and the second one was based on researcher-made information questionnaire, in order to evaluate the virtual reference skills. The reafter, the collected data were studied and analyzed via central indices and dispersion (scattering) of descriptive statistics and statistical tests of parametric single sample-t and t for independent group as well as Pearson correlation coefficient and step by step multiple regression. Results: The findings of the study showed a significant correlation between the emotional intelligence factors and the related subscales with virtual reference skills. Conclusion: The regression analysis results showed that empathy skills can foretell and adapt the virtual reference skills in librarians. Keywords: Emotional Intelligence; Reference Services; Virtual Reference; Librarians
Mohammad Hossein Biglu; Giti Shahmohammadi; Mehdi Saberian Brojeni
Volume 10, Issue 6 , December 2012, , Pages 840-847
Abstract
Introduction: Biomarkers are indicators than can be evaluated and found in biological environments. They are also used as indicator to determine the natural biological and pathological process, even as reactions to pharmacologic treatments. The major aim of current study is to analyze the scientific ...
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Introduction: Biomarkers are indicators than can be evaluated and found in biological environments. They are also used as indicator to determine the natural biological and pathological process, even as reactions to pharmacologic treatments. The major aim of current study is to analyze the scientific outputs in the field of Biomarkers and to determine the prolific countries in the field. Methods: All data was extracted from biological database of MEDLINE. Extracting data was restricted to the MeSH term of Biological Markers in the time span of 2000-2010. Excel and SPSS18 software packages were used for the statistical analysis of gathered data. Results: The result of study showed that a total number of 116,368 scientific documents have been indexed as a main heading of Biological Markers in MEDLINE through 2000-2010. Middle East countries all together have shared 2.1 % of total publication in MEDLINE. Shiraz university of Medical Science sharing 20% of total publication from Iran was the most productive university among Iranian educational institutes. Conclusion: Although the number of scientific output in the field of Biomarkers has increased during the period of study and Iran appeared active in this process, but the gap between Iranian production and influences countries still is great and considerable. Policy makers’ Attention is needed to remove the barriers and pave the way for future scientific activities in the country. Keywords: Biological Markers; Scientometrics; MEDLINE; Iran; Middle East
Majid Davari; Tom Walley; Alan Haycox
Volume 10, Issue 6 , December 2012, , Pages 887-900
Abstract
Introduction: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is increasingly being utilized on a global scale to improve the clinical and cost-effectiveness of healthcare resource utilization. The aim of this study was to address the need of a HTA system for Iranian health system. Methods: This study was a needs ...
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Introduction: Health Technology Assessment (HTA) is increasingly being utilized on a global scale to improve the clinical and cost-effectiveness of healthcare resource utilization. The aim of this study was to address the need of a HTA system for Iranian health system. Methods: This study was a needs assessment study which performed in four steps. Firstly, a comprehensive review and semi-structured interviews were undertaken to identify challenges, nature and the context of health system in Iran in which the system of HTA would be applied. Secondly, a detailed analysis of individual aspects of the Iranian healthcare system was done to realize the roots and the sources of the problems. Thirdly, a wide-range review was undertaken to understand the concept, philosophy and the aim of a HTA system as one of the potential solutions to improve Effectiveness, Efficiency, and Equity (EEE) of healthcare delivery system in Iran. Finally, the priority and extent to which the introduction of HTA to Iran would assist in achieving the objectives of the Iranian healthcare system was assessed. Results: The review and the 38 interviews with key informants identified that healthcare delivery, health insurance, and pharmaceutical systems have faced serious EEE problems. These problems are originated from both structural deficiency and healthcare policies; the policies which were based mainly on pressure rather than evidence. The review of the literature illustrated that the main aim of HTA development was to improve the EEE of the healthcare system. Nevertheless to ensure such improvement, it is necessary to consider to the context of a health system. Conclusions: Development of a HTA system in Iran would enhance the development of clinical guidelines as well as economic evaluation studies. It could also improve managing new health technologies in some ways. Nonetheless focusing on the sources of inefficiency and inequity of the health system (policy and planning) could improve the efficiency of the system more effectively and thus is more cost-effective. This could also provide an appropriate context for an effective HTA system within the health system in Iran. Keywords: Health Technology; Healthcare Systems; Efficiency; Iran
Alireza Jabari; Gholamreza Sharifirad; Azad Shokri; Najmeh Bahman Ziari; Ayan Kordi
Volume 9, Issue 7 , December 2012, , Pages 1132-1145
Abstract
The ultimate goal of the health care system of any country is to promote public health. Reformingprograms were required because of failure to respond to the needs and expectations of health in recentdecades. Rural family physician was a part of these reforms of the health system, which was implementedin ...
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The ultimate goal of the health care system of any country is to promote public health. Reformingprograms were required because of failure to respond to the needs and expectations of health in recentdecades. Rural family physician was a part of these reforms of the health system, which was implementedin 2006. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of the rural family physician programsince it was started. This review was done by searching in Google, Google scholar, SID, Magiran,Iran-doc with the following keywords: Family physician, rural family physician, family medicine, ruralfamily medicine. 32 related articles were extracted and analyzed. The objectives of family physicianprogram were classified in several sub-goals series including referral system, accountability, access, cost,coverage, priority-based health services, formation of health record, control the quality of services,satisfaction and attitudes of health team staff and service recipients and the family physician performancein achieving this goals. Generally, after a few years of implementation, the program has performedrelatively well but the referral system and presenting feedback from specialists, patients follow-up andcompleting health record was not implemented properly. Access was improved and unnecessary costswere reduced although good holistic health insight has not institutionalized yet.
Amir Ashkan Nasiripour; Pouran Raeissi; Mohammad Reza Maleki; Mohammad Javad Akbarian Bafghi
Volume 9, Issue 7 , December 2012, , Pages 1158-1168
Abstract
Introduction: The mixed marketing is an important issue in providing the healthcare that the healthcareprovider organizations need it to survive in the contemporary era and have more market shares, revenueand to increase customer service efficiency and effectiveness. The present study aimed to provide ...
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Introduction: The mixed marketing is an important issue in providing the healthcare that the healthcareprovider organizations need it to survive in the contemporary era and have more market shares, revenueand to increase customer service efficiency and effectiveness. The present study aimed to provide apractical model of the factors influencing the mixed marketing in Iranian public hospitals.Methods: This was an applied and analytical study. Considering the field of health care services, 7PService Marketing Mix Model of "Booms and Bitner" was used and the conceptual research model wasdetermined. The dimensions of conceptual model were in the seven dimensions that included theproduction (services), price, place, promotion, physical evidence, processes and peoples. Then, using thelibrary studies, the variables relevant to each dimension were collected. Data collection tool was aquestionnaire that regulated base on five-item Likert scale. The research community was formed frompublic and private hospital administrators in Tehran, and experts of Ministry of Health and MedicalEducation. Data analysis was done through Lisrel version 8.50 and SPSS version 18 and using exploratoryand confirmatory factor analysis.Results: The fit indexes of Lisrel confirmed and acknowledged the healthcare mixed marketing modelwith seven dimensions. The dimensions that had the greatest impact included the place with factor of 0.82and six components affecting it. The price with factor of 0.81 and eight components affecting it were alsoidentified. Meanwhile, other aspects of the research in terms of impact were identified: i.e. "services" withnine components, "promotion" with eight components, "physical evidences" with ten components,"peoples" with eight components and "process" with six components.Conclusion: Healthcare centers can use the mixed marketing service model with confirmed sevendimensions in marketing management through concentration on place and price.
Zeinab Tamizi; Ebrahim Afshar; Saeed Rajaepour; Hossein Samavatian
Volume 9, Issue 5 , November and December 2012, , Pages 655-662
Abstract
Introduction: It is necessary for every organization to periodically study its structure. The aim ofthis study was to identify the organizational structures of libraries of university of medicalsciences in Iran based on Stephen Robbins model.Methods: This was a descriptive survey. The study population ...
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Introduction: It is necessary for every organization to periodically study its structure. The aim ofthis study was to identify the organizational structures of libraries of university of medicalsciences in Iran based on Stephen Robbins model.Methods: This was a descriptive survey. The study population included all the central librarymanagers of medical university libraries in Iran in 2010-2011 (n = 44). Fifteen managers wereselected through simple random sampling method. Data were collected using the standardtranslated questionnaire of Robbins. The validity of this scale has been confirmed using sevenlibrary and management professionals and specialists. Its reliability was obtained 87% usingCronbach’s alpha coefficient. Data were analyzed by SPSS software and descriptive statistics.Results: Libraries in universities of medical sciences in Iran lack efficient structures and are notin an acceptable rate, i.e. the complexity was less than the average level, and the formalizationand centralization were greater than the standard level.Conclusion: The study results suggested that the organizational structures of universities ofmedical sciences in Iran are not efficient. Dimensions of the given structures need to be revised.
Alireza Jabbari; Zahra Agharahimi; Zohreh Seid Moradi; Mahbobeh Ferdosi
Volume 9, Issue 5 , November and December 2012, , Pages 686-696
Abstract
Introduction: Cosmetic surgery tourism, as one of the leading industries in the world, can be thesolution to strengthen the health and economic growth. The aim of this study was to identifycosmetic surgery tourism potential in Isfahan.Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2011. Research ...
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Introduction: Cosmetic surgery tourism, as one of the leading industries in the world, can be thesolution to strengthen the health and economic growth. The aim of this study was to identifycosmetic surgery tourism potential in Isfahan.Methods: This was a qualitative study conducted in 2011. Research participants includedmanagers, plastic surgery and ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialists of cosmetic surgery centerswho were selected based on the purposeful sampling. Data collection tool was a semi-structuredquestionnaire that was developed through interviews and observation in statistics of deputy oftreatment of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. The framework analysis was used foranalyzing the interviews.Results: Seven themes were identified as the key factors related to the potentials of medicaltourism in the field of cosmetic surgery: demand potential, environmental potential, humanresource potential, infrastructure potential, inter-organizational relationship, competitiveconditions and promotion strategies. In terms of the medical tourism demand potential, themajority of the patients were Iranians residing abroad and few of the patients were those inneighboring countries. Environmental and human resources factors were in good conditions.Participants believed that in cosmetic surgery centers, infrastructure potential, developedplanning and clear guidelines, standardization of prices and considering to an efficient liabilityinsurance were not in an appropriate status. In addition, they mentioned that inter-organizationalcollaboration and promotion strategies were in a desirable condition. Furthermore, competitivecondition in cosmetic surgery centers in terms of cost advantage was desirable but in competingwith medical centers was undesirable.Conclusion: Isfahan has a good potential capacity in terms of cosmetic surgery; therefore, inorder to promote medical tourism in this city, having appropriate plans, strengthening basicinfrastructure and coordination between the organization and effective marketing are necessary
Hamid R. Jamali
Volume 9, Issue 5 , November and December 2012, , Pages 757-767
Abstract
The present review article aimed to identify, introduce and compare models and frameworks usedfor the impact assessment of medical research. Comprehensive searches were conducted invarious databases in order to identify models and frameworks. Those works that proposed amodel or framework were chosen ...
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The present review article aimed to identify, introduce and compare models and frameworks usedfor the impact assessment of medical research. Comprehensive searches were conducted invarious databases in order to identify models and frameworks. Those works that proposed amodel or framework were chosen for the review and comparison. Thirteen different models andframeworks were identified. The level of assessment, items that models evaluate, and the type ofimpact they assess showed some differences. In terms of the type of impact, Research ExcellenceFramework was the only framework to cover all social, economic, cultural, and scientific aspects.There is still not a single standard model to assess the impact of medical research. However,among the proposed models, the payback model appears to be more widely used and accepted.There is also ambiguity in the utilizations of the terms “impact” and “outcome” and in someworks they have been used interchangeably.
Mohammad Hossein Salarianzadeh; Farhad Sadr; Mohammad Reza Vaez Mahdavi; Ali Maher
Volume 8, Issue 8 , January 2012, , Pages 1199-1212
Abstract
Background: Nowadays, entrepreneurship stimulates economical development. It is the center of individual and organizational activities. Since the government in developing countries participates in all areas of cultural and socioeconomic affaires, especially in health services, it is very ...
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Background: Nowadays, entrepreneurship stimulates economical development. It is the center of individual and organizational activities. Since the government in developing countries participates in all areas of cultural and socioeconomic affaires, especially in health services, it is very important to change static organizations into dynamic ones. The aim of this study was to detect factors affecting organizational performance, especially entrepreneurship, in Iranian governmental health system. We also tried to suggest a model to develop entrepreneurial organization. Method: We used stratified random sampling method to select 43 governmental health systems in both regional and national levels. To collect data, a questionnaire, with a Cronbach's alpha of 97%, was filled out by high- and middle-ranked executives. Correlation test was applied in SPSS to analyze the data. Results: Overall, 80% of managers responded to the questionnaire. Many factors, including structural, behavioral, and circumstantial factors, were found to affect organizational entrepreneurship in Iranian governmental health system. Based on our results, the mean value of organizational entrepreneurship (3.08) was very low. Customer satisfaction however, scored a bit higher compared to other factors. The low values of other factors such as low income diversity, lack of privatization and research and development groups have led to low organizational entrepreneurship in these organizations. Conclusion: Governmental health system in Iran has not benefited from organizational entrepreneurship. Therefore, a special applicable model, such as the model proposed in this research, is required to develop entrepreneurship in these organizations.
