Medical education administration in Iran: competencies and defects.

Background: Medical education in Iran is integrated with health systems. To prevent the neglect of education in comparison with healthcare, the existence of competent educational administrators is necessary. However, the preparation of competent administrators has not been considered appropriately. Objective: This study aimed to determine the competencies considered to select educational administrators in the Iran medical sector. Methods: This descriptive study used a 20 statement questionnaire about administrative competencies in higher education. Validity was determined through expert revision and reliability through test and re-test. The present status of professional competencies considered to select or adopt educational administrators was determined by 336 present and previous educational administrators who participated in the study. Findings: Analysis of questionnaires indicated that of the 20 necessary competencies to select or employ educational administrators in medical universities, none of them were considered “very much”. Nevertheless, “Medical Ethics” was the highest scoring factor (mean= 2.73 of 5) and “Knowledge and information management” was the lowest (mean= 1.61 of 5). Conclusion: Expert opinions in Iran did not show an acceptable picture of the administration in universities of medical sciences. It seems that there is a far distance between the present and ideal status, so it needs a serious attention.

[Traditional beliefs and behaviors of mothers and teachers related to oral health of children in rural districts of Qazvin: a qualitative study]

Traditional Beliefs as part of people's culture can influence the general wellbeing of communities. In order to promote healthy behaviors, it is important to be aware of people's traditional background. This study was performed to identify beliefs, traditions and practices of mothers and teachers related to oral and dental health of children in the rural Qazvin areas. A qualitative study [ethnographic] was conducted in three villages of Qazvin province. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and focus group discussions. Data was coded and classified according to main study findings. Information was classified into 6 categories: tooth eruption and exfoliation, diet and oral health, oral hygiene, dental caries, oral and gum diseases as well as dental trauma. Beliefs such as consuming a great amount of milk can be useful while others like putting un-cooked meat on top of tooth for relief of toothache can be harmful. Beliefs like rubbing onion on the gum during tooth eruption may have unknown or less important outcomes. The identified beliefs, traditions and practices were classified as useful, harmful and unknown effects. It was suggested to organize appropriate training classes for mothers and teachers in order to update their knowledge and improve their behavior regarding the proper oral health care of children based on the findings of this study