Obstacles to undertaking research and their effect on research output: a survey of faculty members' views at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences

To improve the quality of research, it is necessary to understand the obstacles to undertaking research. This study aimed to identify: i] internal obstacles to research as considered by faculty members at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; ii] differences between their viewpoints by gender and professional variables; and iii] the effect of these obstacles on research activity. Six types of obstacle were considered: financial, facility-related, occupational, managerial-organizational, scientific and personal. The study sample consisted of 240 participants selected from all 550 faculty members of the University. Data were collected by self-administered questionnaire; the response rate was 91%. All 6 types of obstacle were considered to affect research activities by most of the respondents, with 90% identifying financial obstacles. There were significant differences by gender, scientific rank, field of study, and holding executive responsibilities but not for durations of work experience. Despite these numerous obstacles to conducting research, respondents did not think their research output was affected

Research priorities in medical education in the Eastern Mediterranean Region

Ways are needed to effect quality improvement in medical education research in the Eastern Mediterranean Region [EMR]. This study aimed to determine the principle themes and to draw up a list of priorities in medical education research in EMR. Using the nominal group technique with a group of 30 experts, a list of major themes in medical education research was prepared. In a 2-round Delphi survey the list was sent to another 47 experts in the Region with a questionnaire that included open questions about change and reform in medical education. In the final list of 20, the 5 highest priorities identified were: training physicians to be effective teachers; community-driven models for curriculum development; clinical teaching models; education about professionalism and ethics; and education for evidence-based medicine. Themes determined by this survey can help researchers in EMR to focus on priority areas in research

Talents for future: report of the second national medical science Olympiad in Islamic Republic of Iran

This report describes a unique experience of Second National Medical Science Olympiad that was held in August 2010 in Shiraz, Islamic Republic of Iran. The history of medical science Olympiad in Iran and the development, process and domains in the Olympiad and the way for future will be discussed

[Exposure rate of cardiovascular risk factors among clients of health-care clinics in Kashan, Autumn 2010]

Background and aim: Cardiovascular diseases are noncontiguous diseases which are caused by various factors. One of the most important of these factors is an unhealthy lifestyle. In Iran this disease has been one of the problems of this late decade and in other words, in comparison with the 10 main causes of death in 2009, it has been the most prevalent death factor in Kashan. The main purpose of this research, considering this problem, was investigating the encountering rate of cardiovascular risk factors in Kashan

Methods: This descriptive study was based on 336 clients who were selected through cluster sampling in health-care clinics in Kashan. The data was gathered through filling out questionnaires. These questionnaires consisted of five separate parts on information about: demographic, disease background, nutrition, smoking and physical activity. The research data was analyzed using Chi-square test

Results: BMI mean among the samples was 25.69. The common and main risk factor among these people include: consuming fried food [%97.9], low consumption of fish [%90.8], low consumption of grain [%79.8], low consumption of egg [%75.3], high consumption of meat [%69./3], high consumption of sweet or candy [%67.9], eating fatty food [%66.7] and with little physical activity [%66.4]. There are significant relationships between life style and gender [P=0.016] and education [P=0.019], also physical activity and job [P=0.013]

Conclusion: According to the obtained results in this study, the client's life styles were not in an appropriate condition. So there is a need to pay more attention to inform people to reduce the amount of fried food, meat, fatty food and sweet and increase the balanced amounts of fish, grain and cereal, egg, fruit, vegetable in their diets. It is also recommended that they should increase body activities and decrease smoking

[Association between migraine and preeclampsia: a review study]

Preeclampsia is a syndrome specific to pregnancy, resulting in decreased organ perfusion due to vasoconstriction endothelium activation. Migraine is also a benign and recurrent syndrome with headache, nausea and vomiting or other neurological dysfunctions. Some studies suggest that women with migraine are more likely experience preeclampsia. This study was performed to review literature regarding possible associations between migraine and preeclampsia and to provide an analysis concerning similar mechanisms underlying both of these unknown conditions. Various sources were reviewed in order to collect data on the two conditions and underlying mechanisms involved. Although primary mechanisms of both conditions are not clearly known, abnormal platelet activity and altered vascular function have been suggested. Peripheral dysfunction in preeclampsia also occurs in cerebral vessels during migraine attacks. Patients with migraine or with altered gestational blood pressure are similarly influenced by the same drugs and interventions. Identifying the risk factors of preeclampsia and predicting them on time can prevent its occurrence. Meanwhile, the association between migraine and preeclampsia may be a key to discover the unknown etiologies of them