RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Due to the high incidence of deaths from breast cancer, high cost of treatment and limited resources, the need to formulate and implement effective programs in reducing the burden of disease is obvious. Care, control and creation of cancer information system having an infrastructure from collection of minimum data sets (MDS) are the top priorities of research in Iran's Ministry of Health. METHODS: This is an applied descriptive research with comparative approach implemented in 2010. MDS for breast cancer on selected countries were searched and reviewed and proposed model based on the country's need was designed. Research data were implemented in 2 stages; assessment of MDS on selected countries and the validation of the proposed model through several meetings that has been carried out by the Undersecretary for Research and Technology and several oncologists and pathologists. RESULTS: The MDS is composed of 11 parameters in the form of fields in closed structured arrangements with consideration to coding responses. These parameters include: hospital data, demography, referral, physical examination and investigation, diagnostic information, pathology, treatment, palliative care, completion of primary treatment, clinical trials and follow-up. This form is available for use in the cancer registry database. CONCLUSION: MDS provides an opportunity to strengthen communication between performed researches and research results for the improvement of programs, policies and strategies and provides positive effect on equality in the health system. Although the stages of creating the MDS for breast cancer has been successful, but many challenges has been met until its completion.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Medical journals are scientific resources where utilization of knowledge is availed and create an environment of competitiveness. To speed up the growth and increase scientific production and in order that the rank of Iranian journals be defined regionally and globally, journal standardization is necessary. This study was done to evaluate the country's medical journals from 2004-2006. METHODS: This is a descriptive/analytical study. Evaluation was based on the following; scientific credibility, registry and year of service, journal management, technical quality and accessibility. The number of journals evaluated during 2004-2006 were 86, 103 and 93, respectively and the process involved 3 phases 1) defining the journal's structural indicators and designing the evaluation form 2) collection, sharing and final confirmation of information with the publication staff 3) data entry, analysis and ranking RESULTS: Improvement and growth of publication depends largely on 5 parameters and its development were based on the following; publication management (61.62 points), scientific credibility (43.80 points), quality of accessing the journals (37.05 points), quality of publication (14.80 points) and registry and year of service (0.02 points). Based on the study, an upward developmental trend of the country's medical journals can be seen and the tools were sufficient in terms of validity and reliability. A revised and more comprehensive checklist that would evaluate all aspects of a publication basing on latest indicators is developed. CONCLUSION: Evaluations of the country's medical journals not only promote compliance to international standards but also led to more indexing of journals in accredited international indices.
