Use of complementary and alternative medicine among paediatric patients with hepatogastrointestinal diseases

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine [CAM] is becoming increasingly popular in Middle Eastern countries; it is often used for paediatric medical conditions such as chronic gastrointestinal complaints and failure to thrive. It is also commonly used in patients with chronic hepatic conditions such as cirrhosis and in hepatic transplant patients.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, types and associated factors of CAM use in children with hepatogastrointestinal disease in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study carried out during September 2013–January 2014, 238 parents of children attending a paediatric gastroenterology and hepatology clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences received a self-administered questionnaire covering associated factors of complementary and alternative medicine use; 210 questionnaires were completed and returned.

Results: Complementary and alternative medicine was used by 103 patients [49%]; 74 [71.8%] of these used herbal remedies. Older age of the child significantly increased CAM use. Those with previous positive experience of CAM [62.1% of users, 40.2% of non-users] and those who had received recommendation for CAM by health care providers [24.3% of users, 6.6% of non-users] were significantly more likely to use CAM.

Conclusions: This survey demonstrated the high prevalence of CAM use [especially herbal remedies] in paediatric patients with hepatogastrointestinal diseases.

[ conformity of educational programs to the educational priorities of medical doctors a study in department of ophthalmology, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran]

Background and Objective: Due to increasing rate of medical knowledge volume and depth, introducing new tasks and roles for general practitioners, and restriction of time and resources in medical education, it is essential to follow educational priorities especially in teaching medical doctors. The aim of this study was to determine the conformity of educational programs of ophthalmology department in Shiraz school of medicine, Shiraz, Iran, with the required educational priorities in medical doctor [MD] curriculum

Methods: In this research, we focused on two aspects of theoretical education of ophthalmology theoretical classes and final examinations. First, the topic discussed in the class or asked in final examinations was determined and its priority was graded according to a grading scale of A to D used in comprehensive study of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran. Then, after calculating sum of priorities, the rate of conformity with the expected priorities was determined using chi-square test

Results : In both theoretical classes and final examinations, significant difference was observed between educational materials and the expected educational priorities [P < 0.05]

Conclusion: In some cases, the priority "A" had been paid less attention and priorities "B", "C", and "D" had been paid more attention than the expected rates. Since the priorities considered in this study were based on those in Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences comprehensive study that is approved by faculty members of Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, revision of the educational priorities seems to be required