ABSTRACT
One of the most appropriate methods for needs assessment is to assess learners' needs and arrange the educational programs based on their viewpoints. The aim of this study was to determine the topics and content of Continuing Medical Education [CME] programs in five selected subjects by medical education experts and target group, based on the real needs of General Practitioners [GPs] in order to revise CME national programs. In this cross-sectional applied study, 700 GPs covered by Medical Sciences Universities in Tehran province were studied. A questionnaire consisting of two parts of demographic features and 80 scientific questions regarding their knowledge in five domains of clinical pharmacology, skin diseases, toxicology, emergencies, and forensic medicine was used. The questionnaires were delivered to physicians' offices by trained personnel using a list or by direct referral to offices and then gathered. Three topics in each subject and 15 standard educational contents in total were developed for the target group. There was almost a complete relationship between the opinion of experts and target group in forensic medicine. Some of the first five priorities of the two groups overlapped in skin diseases, forensic medicine, and emergencies. No common viewpoints were observed between experts and target group in pharmacology. In toxicology, there was no common viewpoint in the first three selections of the two groups. Real educational needs of GPs in receiving new information in order to promote their competencies and knowledge were different from those considered by experts. It is recommended to design the educational content for the target groups in the health care field based on their real deficiencies in knowledge and practice and by assessing their views and knowledge
Subject(s)
Humans , Needs Assessment , Physicians, Family , Education, Medical , Cross-Sectional Studies , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Background: Melasma is a common disorder of macular hyperpigmentation, which involves mostly in sun-exposed areas of face and neck. Women are more affected. Multiple factors have been postulated to involve in the etiology and pathogenesis of melasma including pregnancy, oral contraceptives, genetics, sun exposure, cosmetics and race
Materials and methods: Fifty women completed a randomized, double blind vehicle controlled clinical trial, in which they applied 0.05% tretinoin [n=25] or vehicle cream [n=25] once daily on the face for 12 weeks
Results: 2 weeks after treatment 6 out of 25[24%] tretinoin-treated patients [group 1 ] were clinically improved, compared with O out of 25 [0%] in the vehicle group [group2][p=0.022]. 4 weeks after treatment 14[56%] of group1 and 5[20%] of group 2 improved [p=0.006]. After 12 weeks, 21 [84%] of group 1 and 6[24%] of group2 were improved [p=0.0001] which demonstrated significant improvement in the tretinoin-treated patients compared with the vehicle group
Conclusions: This controlled study demonstrates that topical 0.05 % tretinoin alone is considered to be effective in the treatment of melasma patients
ABSTRACT
Melasma is a common disorder of macular hyperpigmentation, which involves mostly in sun-exposed areas of face and neck. Women are more affected. Multiple factors have been postulated to involve in the etiology and pathogenesis of melasma including pregnancy, oral contraceptives, genetics, sun exposure, cosmetics and race. Fifty women completed a randomized, double blind vehicle controlled clinical trial, in which they applied 0.05% tretinoin [n=25] or vehicle cream [n=25] once daily on the face for 12 weeks. 2 weeks after treatment 6 out of 25[24%] tretinoin-treated patients [group 1] were clinically improved, compared with 0 out of 25[0%] in the vehicle group [group2][p=0.022]. 4 weeks after treatment 14[56%] of groupl and 5[20%] of group2 improved [p=0.006]. After 12 weeks, 21 [84%] of groupl and 6[24%] ofgroup2 were improved [p=0.0001] which demonstrated significant improvement in the tretinoin-treated patients compared with the vehicle group. This controlled study demonstrates that topical 0.05% tretinoin alone is considered to be effective in the treatment of melasma patients