[Comparative study of structure and activity of health information management association in selected countries, 2008]

Formation of professional associations is one point of inflection in the health care industry. Health Information Management Association in developed countries originally initiated its activities in the profession of medical records as Medical Records Librarians Association and later changed to Medical Record Association. This study aimed to compare structure, function and activities of Health Information Management Association in selected countries and Iran. This was a descriptive comparative study in cross-sectional method. The research sample included Health Information Management Association in Australia [HIMAA], United States of America [AHIMA] and Canada [CHIMA] as pioneer countries in initiation of Health Information Management Association and also Medical Record Association of Iran [IMRA]. Related data about structural and functional entities was collected through the library investigation, internet and communication with research sample associations via email according to collection forms. The structural and functional elements and entities of the Health Information Management Associations in the selected countries are mostly similar, although they had some differences. Canadian Health Information Management Association Board of Director's is communal with Canadian College of Health Information Management. Type of association memberships in Australia is different with other associations. Vision and values of HIMAA and IMRA have not been identified and written. In comparison with the other associations, AHIMA has various and multiple activities in provide services to its members. Continuing education and certification in various scope is one of major the activities of AHIMA. commensurate with done Changes in the Health Information Management Profession, the Association of this Profession in countries of Australia, United States and Canada has experienced a lot of change in the structure and activities of their associations accordingly. Position of inspector only existed in Iran's Medical Record Association. In comparison with other association, Iran Medical Record Association with fifteen years of history had not had a lot of systematic and integrated activities. Review of Structural and functional entities and activities of this association, seems necessary

[Assessment of district health information system evolution province according to world health organization framework]

Since, accurate, appropriate, precise, timely, valid information, and valid interpretation of information is required and the basis for policy and decision making and planning in various levels of the organization management, this study was conducted to evaluate the district health information system evolution in Isfahan province according to World Health Organization framework. This research was an applied, descriptive cross-sectional study, in which a total of twelve urban and eight rural facilities, and one district health center at Falavarjan district were surveyed by using a questionnaire with 334 items. Content validity was confirmed. The reliability of the questionnaire was confirmed with a Cronbach's alpha of 0.99. Obtained data were analyzed with SPSS software and descriptive statistics were used to examine measures of central tendencies. The mean score of evaluation of district health information system framework was 35.75 percent. The maximum score of compliance with district health information system belonged to the data collection process [70 percent]. The minimum score of compliance with district health information system belonged to information based decision making process [10 percent]. The results showed that information entities of the district health information system in Isfahan province are not in compliance with WHO framework. Consequently, it seems that health system managers engaged with underlying policy and decision making processes at district health systems should try to restructure and decentralize district health information system and develop training management programs for their managers