Ways to improve the current performance of the boards of trustees of medical universities in Iran

Establishment of boards of trustees for all universities was legalized in 1988. It is crucial to assess the performance of the boards and to adjust them to the mandates raised by new visions of the country. Subjects were members of boards of trustees and officers in charge of board's affairs at medical universities. Furthermore, a sample of 860 resolutions adopted by the boards was selected to assess the state of their enforcement. About 70% of the resolutions addressed have been enforced. There is a consensus on focusing on policy-making and high supervision on the objectives of the institutes rather than other areas. Furthermore, ways suggested improving the performance of the boards. Despite the rather high enforcement rate of the resolution in the past ten years, several interventions are suggested to improve the current performance of the boards of trustees and to meet new directions

[Psychological effects of blood donation on repeat and first time donors in Tehran Blood Transfusion Center]

Provision of adequate and safe blood is the main purpare of Iranian Blood Transfusion Organization. One of the most important and vital strategies to deal with the issue is to replace once donors by repeat donors. Psychological effects of blood donation on frequent and infrequent clients having referred to different blood collection centers in Tehran were considered to be the aim of this study. In the course of this analytic cross-sectional study the standard questionnaire of GHQ was utilized to measure mental health of the participants. All of the donors who had referred to blood collection centers in Tehran during 2004-2005 formed the participants of this research. Data were analyzed with Chi-square, t-test and Man Withney test. Nine hundred thirty five frequent and 749 infrequent donors filled the questionnaire. The level of anxiety and depression in repeated donors was also lower than the other group. The individuals who attempt on blood donation for the first time report their health and physical conditions at a completely acceptable level in order to be accepted as an eligible candidate; however, it is not the same for constant donors, as they do not benefit from this. The return rate of blood donors is very low in case of individuals suffering from high stress. Religious beliefs and the feeling of being beneficial to the society are considered to be important factors both in motivating people to repeat blood donation and protecting against depression. The results of the present study upon publication will also encourage donors to repeat their behavior

Need-assessment and research priorities-setting in IBTO Research Center

Setting research priorities in the cycle of research management is critical. The limitation in human and financial resources and policy changes are the most significant reasons necessitating research priorities to be set. Research prioritization can materialize and be effective at different levels ranging from macro and national to educational and research levels. To this end, IBTO Research and Education Deputy by this study has embarked on a serious measure in organizing and orienting investigations in IBTO.First the necessity of the implementation of the project was elaborated in the Research Council and priorities were set. Then, different procedures were conducted based on the guidelines of COHRED [Council on Health Research for Development] and by use of priority-setting instruments applied in research institutes. At the end, the results were reviewed by the Research Council so that the final priorities were approved of. In the present study, out of the whole number of forms distributed for priority-setting, blood centers, headquarter managers and consultants, and the faculty members had respectively a share of 64.28%, 33.33%, and 25.92% in responses. At the process of title collection, more responses were received as compared with the priority setting process. Finally, 99 research titles in 16 domains were approved of as final priorities by the IBTO Research Center. Priority-setting was conducted through the method recommended by COHRED for the first time in IBTO. In spite of the participation of the out-of-organization beneficiary, research centers, and scientific associations, the highest rate of participation goes to intra-organizational groups. Approved priorities can be implemented by a call for research, the creation of an evaluation system for recommended projects, and survey of approved projects. Thus, the most use can be made of financial and human resources for priority-setting