National strategies of ophthalmic education in Iran

Academic medicine is in a state of dramatic transformation. For this reason strategic thinking is the most essential part of educational planning. The main purpose of the present study was developing the strategic educational planning of Ophthalmology in Iran from 2007 to 2010. A qualitative investigation using focus group discussion has been implemented successfully tor developing educational planning. Six to twelve representatives of key stakeholders in the ophthalmic education of Iran participated to this study. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of ophthalmology education in Iran were analyzed. Strategic goals in education, research, and health service providing domains were being developed. Educational goals were defined as training of human resources in accordance with the community needs at the level of general practitioner, specialist, and fellowships in ophthalmology. Research goals of the program were defined as scientific interdepartmental and international communications, in order to promote the level of education, research, and treatment in the country. Also, in the field of health services according to the community needs, providing services by the means of advanced and cost effective methods were defined as strategic objectives. Based on this strategic plan in the last three years ophthalmic education in Iran shall be many changes in educational, research and health care provision for social accountability

[Diagnostic value of prolactin and B-HCG levels of vaginal fluid in diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes]

The aim of this study was diagnosis of premature rupture of membranes in suspected patients by measurement of prolactin and B-hCG levels in vaginal washing in order to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity. The study included 211 pregnant women who were referred to the emergency of Imam Hossein Hospital at 28-38 weeks of pregnancy for leakage or prenatal care from April, 2007 to April 2008. The expulsion of fluid from the cervix was evaluated and fern and nitrazin tests were done. B-hCG and prolactin levels of vaginal washing fluid were measured. The presence of 2 of 3 parameters of fern test, nitrazin and cervical fluid was defined as absolutely premature rupture of membranes. Man-Withney U-test was used for analysis. The Roc curve was calculated. There were 132 patients in PROM group and 79 patient in the control group. The average age in the PROM and control groups was 26.9 +/- 6.08 and 26.2 +/- 4.84 years, respectively [P=0.074]. Both groups were matched for parity and gravidity. Prolactin levels in PROM group were 2930 +/- 3737 mIU/l versus 23.18 +/- 120mIU/l in the control group [P=0.000]. B-hCG was 439.78 +/- 1867mIU/l in PROM and 17.72 +/- 30mIU/l in control group [p=0.000]. Sensitivity and specificity of prolactin according to cut-off of 16.0mIU/l was 79.41% and 96%, respectively. Sensitivity and specificity for B-hCG with cut-off point of 12.5 was 69.85% and 69.33%, respectively. The measurement of prolactin and B-hCG levels in patients with suspected premature rupture of membranes can help in decision-making and treatment

[Strategic educational planning of dermatology in Iran]

Strategic thinking is the most essential part of educational planning. The main purpose of the present study is developing the Strategic educational planning of dermatology in Iran from 2007 to 2010. A qualitative investigation using focused group discussion was implemented for developing educational strategy in dermatology. Six to ten academic members of dermatologic departments and other stakeholders participated in this study. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of dermatology education in Iran were analyzed. Strategic objectives in three domains, viz. education, research, and provision of health services were identified. Educational objectives included training personnel at different academic levels ranging from general practice and specialization to fellowship in dermatology in accordance with the needs of the general public. In the field of research, necessity for more national and international participation and scientific discourse was recognized. In the health services domain designing cost-effective techniques for optimal management of dermatological problems are needed. Results of this study underscore the necessity of support for decision makers in Iranian health system

[Strategic planning for ophthalmology education in Iran]

To develop strategic planning for ophthalmology education in Iran from 2008 to 2010. A qualitative investigation using focus group discussion was conducted during March, 2008 at the Ophthalmic Research Center of Shahid Beheshti University. Six to ten academic members of the ophthalmology department and other stakeholders participated in this study. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats related to ophthalmology education in Iran were analyzed. Strategic goals for education, research, and health service providing domains were evaluated. Educational goals were defined as the training of human resources in accordance with community needs at the level of general practitioner, specialist, and fellowships in ophthalmology. Research goals of the program were defined as scientific inter-departmental and international communications, in order to promote the level of education, research and treatment in the country. Also, in the field of health services and according to community needs, providing services by means of advanced and costeffective methods were defined as strategic objectives. Results of this study underscore the necessity for supporting of health decision makers in Iran

[Prevalence of asthma symptom in Iran: a meta-analysis]

Asthma is the most prevalent chronic disease in the world. To quantify the national prevalence of asthma symptom, we conducted a systematic review and random effects meta-analysis. After internet search for population-based estimates of Asthma prevalence in Iran, 19 papers were selected from 142 articles, dissertations and reports of research projects published between the years 1998-2003. All studies on children performed by ISAAC protocol were found. We entered the data from studies in children to NCSS software. We used funnel plot for publication bias. In the 19 accepted studies on children under the age of 18 years, 61067 children had been checked by the ISAAC protocol. The lowest prevalence of asthma is 2.7% from Kerman and the highest prevalence is 35.4% from Tehran. Overall prevalence of asthma symptoms in children is 13.14%, [95% confidence interval 9.97-16.30], at the national level. Based on this study the prevalence of asthma symptom in Iran is higher than international norms