Journal of Health Information Management
Year:2014 | Volume:11 | Issue:4 (38)|Papers Count:16

Introduction: Due to the mission of the university websites for providing services to users, the effective design of their content leads to their efficient use. Among them are websites of educational departments which can contain valuable information for faculty members, students and other personnel. The objective of this study was to review the information content of Health Information Management and Technology Departments in Iran.Methods: This research is a cross-sectional study which has been performed on 14 websites in the winter of 2013. The information elements were gathered using a data collection form, validated by three Medical Informatics specialists, and the extent of their necessity was discussed in a focus group. The results were analyzed using SPSS 16.Results: In this study, a total umber of 36 information headings were extracted from the 14 evaluated websites. These elements were categorized in six information groups: the field, faculty members, research, educational, department performance and other information. The most cases were related to research and educational information (each with 22 percent) and the least were related to the field information (8percent). Eighty three percent of existing information elements was identified as necessary by the focus group.Conclusion: Information elements of educational websites were different either by their heading or by their information content. This difference can reduce the efficiency and cause user confusion in finding information. The results of this research can be used for design and improvement of educational websites by educational departments, webometric managers and designers of the websites.

Introduction: Today, liver disease is one of cause of morbidity, mortality and cost in word and global efforts to fight the liver diseases are undertaken. One of these attempts is to develop scientific methods and to initiate appropriate surveillance systems intended for the appreciation of the difficulties and the use of the most available data and models to present timely and practical information to make the appropriate decisions. This article has been performed with the aim of the comparative study of liver diseases surveillance system in selected countries.Methods: In this descriptive study of applied kind, we initially investigated the existing Circumstances governing Iran’s liver diseases information system referring to the "Disease Management Center" based in the Ministry of Health, Shiraz Namazi hospital, Tehran Imam Khomeini hospital and Isfahan Alzahra hospital, holding interviews, reviewing the associated forms, the existing documentation and checklist.Subsequently, the liver diseases surveillance systems of the selected countries are studied. Data analysis was conducted based on a comparison of the attributes of the liver diseases surveillance system in the countries under consideration using a descriptive and theorical analysis.Results: liver diseases surveillance system undertaken based study and experience existing in USA, Canada and Malaysia and country’s requirement and incorporated along three axes: general specifications of the system, data source, the governing the collection and report of data and data processing.Conclusion: By considering to high prevalence of liver diseases in Iran and absence of comprehensive liver diseases surveillance systems, design and implementation of liver disease surveillance systems for disease management that quality control and cost control – as both high goal of health system the following is recommended.

Introduction: Compared with the leading countries in the field of health information management, the current laws for medical record retention in Iran are very general, vague and they are inappropriate in terms of medical records usage, and there is not any reference to retention of many special medical records. Thus, the aim of this study was to revise the medical records retention laws for hospitals in Iran.Methods: This was an applied study which conducted in four phases from 2012 to 2013. In the first phase the study population consisted of all hospitals in Iran (890 hospitals), respectively, and in other phases of the study the consisted population were experts in the field of medical records. Instrument for data gathering was questionnaire. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics in SPSS 16 software.Results: The highest volume of requests for medical records in hospitals in Iran were related to legal purposes and patient continued treatment, and the lowest was related to research and educational purposes, respectively. Overall, hospitals identified 39 cases of medical records to revise in laws for retention. Type of admission, patient age, type of medical records usage were the most important criteria for determining the period of medical records retention. A retention period was considered for 27 types of medical records, of those 19 cases approved by National Archives of Iran. Basic retention period for inpatient medical chart was considered 10 years from the last patient encounter.Conclusion: The laws for medical record retention in Iran were revised. In comparison with pervious laws, the new laws consider more the legal, treatment, research aspects of medical records and the right of underage patient.

Introduction: Information and media literacy (MIL) enables people to interpret and make informed judgments as users of information and media, as well as to become skillful creators and producers of information and media messages in their own right. The purpose of this research was to determine the rate of media and information literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’ students using Global Framework on MIL Indicators.Methods: This is an applied analytical survey research in which the data were collected by a researcher made questionnaire. This questionnaire was provided based on specialists’ viewpoints and valid scientific works. Its validity and reliability were confirmed by Library and Information Sciences specialists and Chronbach’s alpha (r=0.75) respectively. Statistical population consisted of all students in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences and the samples were 375. Sampling method was random stratified sampling. Data were analyzed by descriptive and inferential statistics (Independent T-test and ANOVA).Results: The findings showed that the mean level of media and information literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’ students was 3.86±0.338 (higher than average). The highest mean were “valuing other people’s scientific output” with 4.40±0.775 and the lowest mean were “transmission of information through formal presentations” with 3.15±1.23. The mean of “observance copyright “dimension was more than others with 4.22±0.466 and the lowest mean was “exchange of information” dimension with 3.62±0.744. Comparison between gender and married status and the rate of media and information literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’ students showed no significant difference, but there was significant difference between educational degree and rate of media and information literacy.Conclusion: The results showed that the rate of media and information literacy among Isfahan University of Medical Sciences’ students was higher than average. But students didn’ t have enough ability in transmission of information through formal presentations, presentation of scientific knowledge in written formats as well as start a new activity with little information. In general, all students and education practitioners should pay special attention to factors affecting in improving media and information literacy as a main capability in using printed and electronic media.

Introduction: Recall and precision are two indicators for evaluating information retrieval system’s efficiency and performance. The aim of the present study was to compare the recall and precision of Iranmedex, Magiran and SID databases for retrieval of scholarly information in the domain of pharmacy.Methods: This work is an analytical study that, in this was used from comparison method and direct observation by end user. The population was articles retrieved from the Web sites of Iranmedex, Magiran & SID databases. Data collection tool was checklist that validity was confirmed by experts of LIS. First, Keywords were listed from two numbers 7 & 8 of Twenty-first volume Journal of Behavioral pharmacology; And Keywords associated with this field were determined by Pharmacy specialists. Ten selected keywords searched in 3 databases. Then retrieved results were refer to Pharmacy specialists for identify relevant records. The obtained data were analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency), (χ2) and SPSS 11.5 software at the significant level of P<0.05.Results: Retrieved records of Iranmedex database were 615, from Magiran 375 and SID was 116 records. Iranmedex dominated the top positions when comparing relative recall (39%) and SID revealed reliable precision in the output (55.1%). Iranmedex and Magiran database have had more overlap (219 records).Conclusion: The results are tips for Pharmacy specialists to choose database for retrieval of scholarly information, if recall is important for they, choose Iranmedex and if high precision is important, need to use the SID database.

Introduction: The main mission of higher education is training lifelong learning. Information literacy is the key to lifelong learning. Expend and use of Emotional Intelligence skills can prove important ability that affects many issues. This study was designed with aim to clarify the relationship between Information literacy with Emotional Intelligence in students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Iran.Methods: This research is descriptive with correlation’ approach on 420 students of Golestan University of Medical Sciences, which was conducted with a stratified random sampling in 2013.The data collection with questionnaire of Information literacy and Emotional Intelligence, Reliability and validity of the questionnaire was confirmed, Cronbach’s alpha coefficient Obtained for questionnaire IL (0.78), EI (0.83). Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage and mean), Analytical statistics (Kendall’s tau b and Spearman’ Correlation test) in SPSS version 18 statistical Software. P-value of less 0.05 was considered significant.Results: The results showed there was a significant relationship between information literacy and emotional intelligence (r=0.109, p=0.028). there was a significant relationship between the quiddity and extent of the field of information literacy with emotional intelligence (r=0.137, p=0.005), However, There is no data related between regarding the effective use of information, critically evaluating information, using the information to specific topics, social sciences related with information with Emotional Intelligence.Conclusion: In this study, students’ information literacy is related with emotional intelligence. Communication is a very important role in getting information. According to importance of information literacy and role of communication to promoting it therefore it should be done better planning to improve information literacy and emotional intelligence.

Introduction: International scientific collaboration is one of the important aspects of scientific collaboration and study of different aspects of it is conducive in demonstrating scientific communication behavior of faculty members. Findings of its study can be used in policy making, strategic management of research and paving the way for collaboration. Regarding that, this research is to study international scientific collaboration among Shiraz University of Medical Sciences faculty members.Methods: Research method was citation analysis and research type was applied. This study was carries out on the articles published by researchers affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences in WOS from 2005–2011. Data were examined and modified in Excel which resulted into 338 records. Findings were analyzed with descriptive statistics (frequency charts) and inferential statistics (Spearman Correlation) in Excel software.Results: Based on the results, there were 338 internationally published articles which constitute 11.6 percent of all of the articles (2893) published in WOS during 2005-2011. Spearman test of correlations showed a weak and positive correlation between the rate of the growth of all of the articles and internationally authored articles (rs: 0.344, p value=0.544). The most number of collaborations were with US, Australia and England respectively. Overall, 313 faculty members wrote their articles with international collogues.Conclusion: In general, the rate of internationally collaborated articles grew during the timed studied. However, the proportion of their growth in comparison to the growth of all articles is small.

Introduction: Health literacy is a necessary skill for every member of society and helps normal citizens to obtain the knowledge needed to maintain their health. Health literacy is a set of skills in reading, listening, analysis, decision making and the ability to apply these skills to health situations. The purpose of this study was to assess health literacy level in Inpatients of educational Hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences in 2012.Methods: the statistical population was the inpatients of educational hospitals of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences among which 384 patients were selected as sample based on the assumption of a statistical population with unlimited size. Health literacy was measured by the Test of Functional Health Literacy in Adults (TOFHLA). Reliability of Questionnaire was obtained through Cronbach’s alpha which was calculated to be 0.89 and its validity was confirmed by related experts. The data was collected in clinical inquiry and was analyzed using SPSS 20 software using Descriptive (Frequency distribution, mean, standard deviation) and analytical statistics (Independent T-test, ANOVA and Pearson correlation test and Spearman correlation test).Results: The average of Health literacy scores in Inpatients was 31.35 in Numeracy test and 31.94 in Reading Comprehension test. The mean total score of health literacy of the patients was 63.29. Thus, the Most of these Inpatients were found to have inadequate health literacy. There were no significant relations between health literacy with gender and monthly income of the patients. On the other hand, health literacy was inversely proportional to the patients’ age. Also the mean of health literacy score and its related domains was meaningfully lower in married patients compared to single ones. There was also a direct relation between educational level and health literacy and a meaningful relation was observed between health literacy and the patients’ occupation in a way that retired patients and laborers had the lowest health literacy. Also there was no meaningful relation between health literacy of the patients and their place of residence.Conclusion: The results showed that the health literacy was adequate in only 130 patients and most of the patients had poor or marginal health literacy. These patients require more help and time from the medical staff in order to understand the doctors’ instructions and other health information. Therefore doctors and nurses must spend more time communicating with them in a simpler and easier to understand language.

Introduction: According to resource constraints and unlimited needs, health care has important role in the public health. The allocation of limited resources to unlimited needs in critical areas of health is important. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to evaluate the process of priority setting based on accountability framework for the rationality in Kerman university of Medical Science.Methods: This research is a qualitative study.18 people from health experts about resource allocation in Kerman University of Medical Science interviewed. In this study Daniels and Sabin framework was used. Data analysis techniques were based on the analysis framework. Tools of data gathering were Semistructured interviews. Heterogeneous sample of the people involved in the division of the department’s budget is used to transfer capability. In order to credibility and confirm ability text transcribed and analysis of the resulting professors participating in this study were presented and corrective recommendations their comments were applied.Results: The study includes four main codes: transparency, rationality, control and monitoring, overview and 9 sub-codes contains: Predictability, ambiguity, rationality, no sensible distributor, bilateral, unilateral, Proportionality between the mechanism and resources, revision, no mechanism.Conclusion: The status indicates the process of priority settings in Kerman University of Medical Science according to the Daniels and Sabin has little logic. No specific decision procedures, measuring the costs and benefits of different interventions so, making decisions based on the results of these studies won’t lead to optimal use of scarce resources.

Introduction: Medical tourism refers to an international phenomenon of an individual’s travel in which most tourists travel long to access to treatment-therapeutic services who because of high cost, long waits, lacking in insurance, and use of services and lack of access to health services in the destination. domestic medical tourism also refers to the domestic travels of patients in pursuing better specialists, cheaper services with higher quality. This kind of travel is directly related to medical issues.Methods: The dominating approach in the present study is developmental-applied and the method is analytical and survey study. The population includes domestic medical tourists (from other provinces) who traveled to Shiraz and according to the Statistical Center of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, they were 70000. In the present study, to calculate the sample size of tourists, Cochrane Method was used. Concerning the population in the present study, the sample size which was calculated using Cochrane Method, for the domestic tourists 382 samples were identified, which because of more validity and reliability, it increases to 400 samples. The questionnaires were completed by the domestic medical tourists after achieving credibility and having reliability of 87% measured using Cronbach alpha. To analyze the data and test the research hypothesis, the linear Pearson correlation, multi variant regression and ANOVA were used. The statistical analysis was done by SPSS 19.0 software.Results: There was a significant correlation (p<0.05) between the price treatment and tourist services, the quality of treatment and tourist services, culture, facilities, treatment and tourist equipment, ICT with the development of medical tourism in megalopolis Shiraz. Also, there was difference between medical tourists from various provinces regarding satisfaction with (price, quality, culture, facilities, equipment, and ICT).Conclusion: Untangling the price of medical and tourist services, enhancing the quality of medical and treatment services, increasing and enhancing the culture of attracting tourists, applying facilitates, treatment and tourist facilities and equipment having high technology and international standards, and applying ITC in order to advertise and market in the medical and tourist fields results in improving and enhancing medical tourism in megalopolis Shiraz.

Introduction: the rate of a society’s social capital is doubtless the resultant of the small group’s social capitals which is different among groups of the society. By taking into consideration the people’s knowledge and attitude and also the society’s investment on them, it is expected that groups with different jobs and professions gain benefit different levels of this social variable. The objective of the present study is to analyze the quality and the level of social capital and its factors in Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.Methods: This is an applied and descriptive research which its statistical population includes all faculty members of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences (on 2013-2014) which were 670 members. After an introductory study, the sample size was calculated by the use of the Cochran formula as150 members. They have been selected by taking the gender and college variables into consideration based on systematic random sampling and. In order to measure the social capital, the researcher developed questionnaire and Social Capital Assessment Tool Model have been used. Its content and facial validity has been confirmed by eight expertise majoring sociology and management science. The earned reliability is 94.0. The Analysis of the research’s data has done in two levels of descriptive statistics, include frequency, percentages, tables, and figures) and inferential level include independent and single sample t-test and Ftest.Results: results have shown that the social capital of the faculty members is equal with 3.44 which are more than the mean. Also, “attitude” with the mean of 3.82is having the highest level of social capital from among the seven factors of social capital. Also, there is a significant relationship between faculty member’s social capital based on gender, specialty, academic level, and college variables.Conclusion: it is impossible to consider the faculty member activities without taking their social status based on society, policies, and economical condition into consideration. Therefor boosting the social capital effectiveness in all university professors’ activities is possible. This action can be done either through having an internal relationship like trust, attitude, and social relationship or by including social status positions for faculty members, and having macro planning for such positions.

Introduction: Medical tourism has become as one of the competitive industry in the world. Since medical tourists seeking high quality treatment and lower price, hospitals’ adaptation with the standards can provide quality service guarantee. This study aimed to assess the level of hospitals adaptation with the criteria and conditions determinate by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, for medical tourist’s reception centers.Methods: This study is analytic - descriptive and correlational one that was designed in 2013. The study population consisted of 11 university hospitals in Isfahan. Data were collected using a checklist form and field observations, interviews with staff and review documentation was collected. To describe the data frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation and for the data analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation coefficients test with SPSS Software.Results: The findings revealed that only slightly more than half of the studied hospitals acceptable in terms of adaptation with the terms and conditions set by the Ministry of Health and Medical Education are. Significant relationship between the number of medical tourists and the number of beds as well as a significant difference in the compatibility level between public and specialized hospitals were not studied (P-value>0.05).Conclusion: Research findings regarding the overall adaptation levels of studied hospitals in Isfahan indicate the relative Readiness of hospitals for medical tourism. However, as improved in some condition of hospitals including medical equipment and website, equipped kitchen and having an interpreter can promote readiness of medical centers and medical tourism market in the province.

Over the last decade telemedicine services particularly in dermatology domain has seen significant advances and it became as routine medical services in many parts of the world. In Iran although it is not being used in usual practice but many research projects have been conducted on this issue. The main and important point that has not yet been paid enough attention is meeting standard guidelines in telemedermatology services. Ignoring these points can result in misdiagnosis by medical specialists. The value of this matter is that important that American Telemedicine Association has suggested a comprehensive standard guideline about it.Having considered that any similar paper has not yet been published in Iran, this paper aims to conduct a comprehensive review on available resources and guidelines and published papers between 1997-2013 in Teledermatology domain such as the minimum requirements for photography in teledermatology, skin lesions photography techniques, distances, resolution, macro imaging, use of flash, compression, attention to balance between image size and the quality of images for a Teledermatology consultation service.