Determining the topics and content of CME programs in five selected subjects: comparing the view points of experts and target group; a Tehran University of Medical Sciences experience

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

Serum antisperm antibodies in fertile and infertile individuals

Presence of antisperm antibodies [ASAs] in infertility and their adverse effects on fertility is a matter of controversy. The aims of this study were to determine the percentage of antibody positive sperms and rate of ASA positive sera in both fertile and infertile men and women, and to find the association between these antibodies and infertility. This study consisted of 29 fertile and 60 infertile men and women. The serum immu-noglobulin [Ig] M, G, and A antisperm antibodies were evaluated after incubation of the sera with normal and high-quality fresh sperm from healthy donors. The percentage of spermatozoa positive for IgM, IgG, and IgA antibodies and the rate of antisperm antibody positive sera in fertile and infertile groups were measured by flow cytometry. Mean percentage of antibody positive sperms in fertile and infertile groups showed no significant differences [all P > 0.05]. The rate of ASA positive sera in fertile and infertile individuals showed no significant differences [all P > 0.05]. There were no significant differences between the mean percentage of antibody positive sperms and the rate of ASA positive sera in fertile and infertile men and women [all P > 0.05]. Presence of ASAs in the serum may not be associated with infertility. Although antisperm antibodies may interfere with fertility, not all types of ASAs can associate with infertility. Current tests cannot differentiate the ASAs that interfere with infertility from those that do not, because the antigenic specificities of these ASAs are not known. The antigens of the infertility-related ASAs must be characterized to allow an accurate detection for individuals with ASAs