Contributions of University of Toronto Dentistry Alumni to China's Early Dental Education.

University of Toronto Dentistry alumni have made valuable contributions to the evolution of dentistry and the dental profession not only in Canada but also internationally. The founder and some of the early faculty members of West China College of Stomatology at Sichuan University (formerly the Dental School of West China Union University), known as the birthplace of China's modern dental science education, were alumni from the University of Toronto. With their excellent dental background, skills, and dedication, those pioneers laid a firm foundation for modern dental education in China and their contributions to this effort will be addressed in this paper.

Learner satisfaction with synchronous and asynchronous virtual learning systems during the COVID-19 pandemic in Tehran university of medical sciences: a comparative analysis.

BACKGROUND: The need for electronic learning and its systems, especially during specific circumstances and crises, is crucial and fundamental for users in universities. However, what is even more important is the awareness and familiarity of learners with different systems and their appropriate use in e-learning. Therefore, the present study was conducted to determine the satisfaction of learners with synchronous and asynchronous electronic learning systems during the COVID-19 period at Tehran University of Medical Sciences. METHODS: The present study was a descriptive-analytical study conducted cross-sectionally from the first semester of 2019-2020 academic year until the end of the second semester of 2021-2022 academic year, coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic. The sample size was determined to be 370 students and 650 staff members using the Krejcie and Morgan table. The face validity and reliability of the research tool, which was a researcher-made questionnaire, was confirmed. Considering a response rate of 75%, 280 completed questionnaires were received from students, and 500 completed questionnaires were collected from employees. For data analysis, absolute and relative frequencies, as well as independent t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Post Hoc tests in the SPSS software were utilized. RESULTS: During the COVID-19 pandemic, both students and staff members at Tehran University of Medical Sciences showed a relatively decreasing level of satisfaction with electronic learning. There was a significant difference in satisfaction between these two groups of learners regarding electronic learning (P = 0/031). Learners were relatively more satisfied with the offline system called "Navid" compared to online learning systems. Among the online systems, the highest level of satisfaction was observed with the Skype platform. CONCLUSION: Although learners expressed relative satisfaction with electronic learning during the COVID-19 period, it is necessary to strengthen infrastructure and provide support services, technical assistance, and continuous updates for electronic learning platforms. This can contribute to more effective and efficient utilization of electronic learning, especially during particular circumstances and crises, or in hybrid models combining online and face to face education and training.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices Toward Tuberculosis Among Health Faculty and Non-Health Faculty Students of Kabul University and Kabul University of Medical Sciences, Kabul, Afghanistan.

Introduction: Afghanistan ranks 24th among the countries with a high TB death rate. The number of TB patients has unfortunately increased by 3% during 2022 compared to 2021. University students are among the high-risk groups for TB. The frequent and high level of person-to-person contact in universities increases the transmission of infectious diseases including TB. This study aimed to evaluate the level of knowledge, attitude, and practices of university students regarding tuberculosis to better understand the situation. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among 415 health and non-health faculty students between October and December 2022. Multi-stage stratified sampling technique was used to collect the data and data were analyzed using SPSSv25. Cross-tabulation and a Chi-Square test were used to identify differences between groups. Results: The results of this study showed that 18.1% of health and 2.4% of non-health faculty students had good knowledge about TB. There was a significant difference in the knowledge of health and non-health faculty students (P value<0.01). The level of good attitude of health and non-health faculty students about TB was 26.7% and 14.9%, respectively. Regarding practices, 41.9% of health faculty students and 29.8% of non-health faculty students had good practices about TB. There was a significant difference in the attitude (P value = 0.03) and practices (P value = 0.024) of health and non-health faculty students (health faculty students had better knowledge, attitude, and practices.). Conclusion: The knowledge, attitude, and practices of health and non-health faculty students were insufficient about TB. The practice level of health faculty students was poorer than what was expected based on their field. Television and the Internet played a good role in informing students about TB. So, both can be used for transferring good knowledge, positive attitudes, and correct practices about TB to society.

Knowledge, Beliefs, and Practices Related to Menstruation Among Female Students in Afghanistan.

Background: Menstruation is a universal, natural, unique, and physiological phenomenon. Despite the fact that menstruation is a natural fact of life, it is still considered taboo in Afghanistan and other developing countries. Objective: To assess knowledge, beliefs, and practices related to menstruation among female students of Kabul University of Medical Sciences (KUMS). Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study design was conducted at KUMS in 2022, and a quota sampling technique was used. Results: In this study, 339 students participated out of the 346-sample size. The majority of participants (70.02%), were over 20 years of age. About (59.60%) of participants were aware of menstruation before menarche. The main source of their information was their mothers (37.50%). The average age of menarche was 13.5 years old. Above 70% of respondents had normal patterns of menstruation. More than half of them (51.90%) had dysmenorrhea. Frequent menstrual disorders were abdominal pain (58.1%), and backache (56.1%). The majority of respondents had good and acceptable knowledge of menstruation (33.6%), and (63.1%) respectively. A statistically significant relationship between knowledge and academic year was observed (P value = 0.005). The majority of respondents (92.6%) had poor menstrual beliefs. A statistically significant relationship between respondents' age and beliefs was observed (P value = 0.004). Mother education did not affect respondents' level of beliefs (P value = 0.4). In addition, respondents had good practice of menstruation (75%). Conclusion: In general participants had a good and acceptable level of knowledge with good practice related to menstruation. Despite the good knowledge and practice, the respondents' beliefs related to menstruation were poorer than what was expected from medical disciplines students. Their frequent source of information was their mothers, which highlights the provision of information and education for mothers and all females.

Assessment of virtual education during the covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of faculty members and students: a cross-sectional descriptive study in northwest Iran.

BACKGROUND: Since the coronavirus outbreak, many countries have replaced traditional education with virtual education in order to prevent the disease spread, and also avoid stopping education. The aim of the present study was to assess the virtual education status at Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences during the covid-19 pandemic from the perspective of students and faculty members. METHODS: This is a descriptive-cross-sectional study that was conducted between December 2021and February 2022. The study population included faculty members and students who were selected by consensus. Data collection instruments included demographic information form and a virtual education assessment questionnaire. Data analysis was carried out using independent T-test, one sample T-test, Pearson Correlation, and ANOVA test in SPSS software. RESULTS: A total of 231 students and 22 faculty members of Khalkhal University of Medical Sciences participated in the present study. The response rate was 66.57%. The mean and standard deviation of assessment scores of students (3.3 ± 0.72) were lower than those of faculty members (3.94 ± 0.64), which showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.01). User access to the virtual education system (3.8 ± 0.85) and lesson presentation (4.28 ± 0.71) obtained the highest scores from the perspective of students and faculty members, respectively. There was a statistically significant association between employment status and the assessment score of faculty members (p = 0.01), and the field of study (p < 0.01), the year of university entrance (p = 0.01), and the assessment score of students. CONCLUSION: The results showed a higher than mean assessment score in both groups of faculty members and students. There was a difference between faculty members and students in terms of virtual education scores in the parts that require the creation of better processes and more complete capabilities in the systems, which seems that more detailed planning and reforms will improve the process of virtual education.

Prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among children and adolescents of Kabul: a descriptive cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D is one of the most important fat-soluble vitamins necessary for normal growth and development of the human body. According to a study done in Kabul shows that economic, racial, and social concerns are thought to be the main impediments to receiving appropriate amounts of this vitamin through dietary sources in countries like Afghanistan. Hypovitaminosis D, on the other hand, is now recognized as a pandemic in both industrialized and developing countries. METHODS: To find out how common hypovitaminosis D is in children aged one month to eighteen years in afghan children Kabul, Afghanistan. Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency are defined as serum levels of less than 20 ng/mL and 20 to 30 ng/mL, respectively. Children aged between 1 month to 18 years attending our hospital, AMC (Ariana Medical Complex) for health examination were checked for their 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Age, gender and address were recorded. 25(OH)D were determined using immunoassay auto analyzers. According to their serum 25(OH)D, the 25(OH)D were categorized into five categories: sufficiency: ≥ 30-100 ng/mL; insufficiency: ≥ 20-29 ng/mL; deficiency: < 20 ng/mL; severe deficiency: < 10 ng/mL; and intoxication: > 150 ng/mL. Participants who were intoxicated with vitamin D were excluded from the study. RESULTS: A total of 4008 children aged 1 month to 18 years participated in this cross-sectional study. Hypovitaminosis D was found to be prevalent in 62.5 percent of the population. When compared to boys, female children were 1.2 times more likely to be vitamin D deficient. When compared to children of illiterate women, the odds of hypovitaminosis D were 1.4, 1.9, and 5.8 times lower in children with mothers educated up to primary school, graduation, and post-graduate. The average vitamin D level was 23 ng/mL, with a median of 15 ng/mL and maximum and minimum values of 135 ng/mL and 3 ng/mL, respectively. In all, 2500 (62.5%) of the children had low levels of vitamin D in their serum. Only 400 (16%) of the patients were sufficient, whereas 917 (36.7%) were severely deficient, 733 (29.3%) were deficient, and 450 (18%) were insufficient. With a female to male ratio of 1.2:1, the majority of those, 1335 (53.4%), were females and 1165 (46.6%) were males. Patients were 8.14 years old on average, with a median age of 7 years. The majority of the patients, 2152 (86.1%), were urban, while 348 (13.9%) were rural. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was very high in Afghan children. Female sex, higher socio economic status, higher educational status of the mother and living at urban areas were the factors with strong positive association with hypovitaminosis D.

Our experience using synthesized mammography vs full field digital mammography in population-based screening.

Background: Synthesized Mammogram (SM) from Digital Breast Tomosynthesis (DBT) images is introduced to replace the routine Full Field Digital Mammography (FFDM) to reduce radiation dose. Purpose: to compare the conspicuity of cancer related findings between SM and FFDM and combination of these methods with DBT. Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary breast imaging center, where 200 women referred for screening were enrolled in the study sequentially. Patients underwent FFDM and DBT simultaneously and a two-year follow-up was done. Data was evaluated for Breast Imaging Reporting and Data System (BI-RADS) score, breast density, mass lesions, calcification, and focal asymmetry by two expert breast radiologists. Comparison between different methods was made by Cohen Kappa test. Results: 22 patients with likely malignant findings went under biopsy. Taking histopathologic findings and two-year follow up as reference, the overall sensitivity and specificity for FFDM+DBT (86.1 and 88.9 respectively) and SM+DBT (86.1 and 88.2) didn't show a meaningful difference. Comparing SM and FFDM, calcification in 20 subjects were overlooked on SM, but later detected when combined with DBT. Considering breast composition and BI-RADS categorization, an excellent agreement existed between the readers. Conclusion: Screening with SM+DBT shows comparable results with FFDM+DBT considering BI-RADS categorization of the patients. Although SM showed slightly inferior sensitivity compared to FFDM, after combining DBT with SM no malignant appearing calcification or mass lesion was missed.

The Trends of Attitude Change and Interprofessional Collaboration Competencies among Medical and Nursing Students of Iran University of Medical Sciences.

Background: Nurses' and physicians' collaboration is a precedent for patient care. This study examined attitude change and interprofessional collaboration competencies among medical and nursing students of Iran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This study was quantitative cross-sectional. The study tools were two questionnaires, Attitudes Toward Interprofessional Education and IPEC Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies, which were completed by 211 medical and nursing students in online or in-person forms. The collected quantitative data were analyzed by SPSS 19 software. Results: The results showed that nurses and physicians constituted 35.5% and 64.5% of the sample. The results of the independent T-test displayed no statistically significant difference in the mean age of both groups (P = 0.054). There was a statistically significant difference in the participants' attitudes toward interprofessional learning, and the medical group (46.68) obtained a higher mean score than the nurse group (34.92) (P = 0.001). The two groups with varying mean scores (179.34 for medical students and 131.72 for nursing students) were significantly different in their interpersonal collaboration competencies (P = 0.001). Considering Mauchly's test, there were statistically significant differences among medical students of varying academic years in their attitudes toward interprofessional education (P < 0.001). Nursing students were also different in their attitudes toward interprofessional education based on their academic years. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the attitude of nursing students towards interprofessional education and interpersonal collaboration competencies should be increased in line with medical students in order to improve the quality of medical and health services.

Health-promoting behaviors in staff and students of Ardabil University of Medical Sciences.

BACKGROUND: The staff of health and dentistry schools can play an important role in encouraging students and their clients to adopt health and preventive behaviors. The aim of this study was to compare health-promoting behaviors in staff and students of health and dental schools in Ardabil University of Medical Sciences (ARUMS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was conducted in 2021. The research population was staff and students of health and dental schools. Staff sampling was by census and students were sampled by simple random sampling. The data collection tool was a questionnaire whose validity and reliability had been confirmed in previous studies. Data analysis was performed using descriptive and analytical statistics tests using SPSS version 20 software. Linear regression was performed using stepwise method. RESULTS: The results showed that the mean score of the individuals was 99.2 ± 20.24. In the leveling, the behaviors of 33 people (17.55%) were appropriate, desirable and good, and the health-promoting behaviors, 154 people (82.45%), were moderate and low. The correlation between age, gender, marital status, and workplace of the individuals with health-promoting behaviors was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The output of stepwise regression analysis showed that the variables were significant and could predict the scores of health-promoting behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: Health-promoting behaviors in <20% of students and staff are desirable, and in more than 80% of them are moderate and poor. Therefore, educational administrators should use these results in curriculum planning to increase health-promoting behaviors of students and staff. The score of health-promoting behaviors is related to the above-mentioned areas, but the relationship may not be linear.

Apuntes históricos sobre la Federación Estudiantil Universitaria en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas (parte II)

RESUMEN Profundizar en la historia es necesario para reforzar los valores identitarios que nos distinguen. Se describen los aspectos más relevantes de la Federación Estudiantil Universitaria en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Matanzas, desde 1989 hasta principios de 2021. Los apuntes recopilados evocan la labor de sus líderes y otros estudiantes de diferentes generaciones, quienes se destacaron en actividades políticas, docentes, científicas, culturales, deportivo-recreativas y de extensión universitaria.

ABSTRACT To delve in history is necessary to reinforce the identity values identifying people. The most relevant aspects of the University Students Federation in the Matanzas University of Medical Sciences, from 1989 to early 2021 are described. The collected notes evoke the work of the leaders and other students of different generations who excelled in political, teaching, scientific, cultural, sport-recreational, and university extension activities.

Elaboration of indices of the Third Generation of the universities of medical sciences: Status quo assessment of Iran University of Medical Sciences.

BACKGROUND: Universities are changing from government organizations into third generation. The aims of this study were to identify the dimensions and components of a third-generation university and assessment of the status quo of Iran University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was mixed method. In the qualitative phase, participants consisted of experts of academic management and scholars in third-generation universities. The dimensions and components of a third-generation university were identified by content analysis. A questionnaire was prepared according to dimensions and components with Cronbach's alpha of 0.86. In the quantitative phase, participants consisted of managers and experts of Iran University of Medical Sciences; they completed the questionnaire to assess the status quo of Iran University. Data analysis was performed by Colaizzi's and SPSS software. RESULTS: Third generation of universities of medical sciences has 2 dimensions and 17 components. Software dimension consists of course content, attitude, vision and mission of the university, organizational culture, instructors, students, employees, academic management and leadership, international approach, and social accountability components. Hardware dimension consists of organizational structure, academic infrastructures, knowledge commercialization, and communication with the government, education system, university environment, and university independence components. Status in Iran University of Medical Sciences in hardware dimension was 2.53, and in software dimension, it was 2.96. CONCLUSION: Universities are required to respond to the changes in community. Therefore, universities need to change their structures, goals, approaches, perspectives, and intra-organizational and extra-organizational communications to be able to move toward a university which is entrepreneur, skill teaching, wealth generating.

Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba: una mirada a su producción científica / University of Medical Sciences in Santiago de Cuba: a look to its scientific production

Las universidades son uno de los ejes principales del desarrollo científico de un país y su misión ha variado a lo largo del tiempo. Estas instituciones nacieron con una primera misión que es la docencia, pero actualmente sus actividades son mucho más amplias. Al respecto, se realizó el presente estudio con el objetivo de reflexionar en torno a la producción científica en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas en Santiago de Cuba; asimismo, se indagó acerca de la colaboración e impacto alcanzados en la última edición del Ranking Iberoamericano de Instituciones de Educación Superior, 2020. Se evidenció que el uso de indicadores bibliométricos es una alternativa para medir y evaluar la producción científica de los profesionales de la salud, así como ampliar la productividad y la visibilidad a través de estrategias y políticas trazadas, a partir de la toma de decisiones oportunas.

The universities are one of the main focal points in the scientific development of a country and its mission has varied as time goes by. These institutions were born with a first mission that is teaching, but at the moment their activities are much wider. In this respect, the present study was carried out aimed at meditating around the scientific production in the University of Medical Sciences in Santiago de Cuba; also, there was an investigation about the collaboration and impact reached in the last edition of the Ibero-American Ranking of Higher Education Institutions, 2020. It was evidenced that the use of bibliometric indicatives is an alternative to measure and evaluate the scientific production of the health professionals, as well as to enlarge the productivity and visibility through strategies and politics drawn up, taking the opportune decisions making as a starting point.

Establishment of biobank facility at Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute of Iran: experiences, challenges, and future outlook.

Biobanking as an emerging procedure referring to the development of sample storage technologies which provide essential structures for conducting research. This paper presents the experiences and challenges faced while establishing the non-communicable diseases (NCDs)-dedicated biobank at Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Institute (EMRI) in Iran, such as infrastructure, Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), ethical and legal aspects, sample collection, preservation, and quality control (QC). NCDs are a major health problem around the world and in Iran, which is access to biological samples are required to understanding and planning to these diseases. The main objectives of the EMRI biobank is currently the collection and storage of biological samples such as blood, serum, plasma, urine and DNA from patients with NCDs including diabetes mellitus osteoporosis and elderly population based on cohort and cross-sectional studies. The biobank of EMRI aims to have a major impact on the NCDs by supplying biological samples for national and international research projects.

How Iran responded to expanding need for laboratory services for COVID-19?

After the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 in early 2020 in Iran, the rapid response team of Pasteur Institute of Iran was the first lab starting detection and report of suspected human samples. This article is a short summery of all actions from the preparedness for detecting the first cases of COVID-19, expanding the nationwide laboratory service, choosing the suitable laboratory tests and other challenges in laboratory detection during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in Iran.

Nivel de dificultad y poder de discriminación del examen final de la asignatura Ontogenia Humana y SOMA / Difficulty level and discernment power on Human Ontogeny and SOMA final test subject

RESUMEN Fundamento: La calidad de los instrumentos evaluativos resulta esencial en el proceso de evaluación del aprendizaje. Objetivo: Determinar los índices de dificultad y discriminación del examen final ordinario de la asignatura Ontogenia Humana y Soma. Metodología: Se realizó un estudio retrospectivo transversal en la asignatura Ontogenia y SOMA, del curso 2017-2018 en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Sancti Spíritus, en el que se procesaron 163 exámenes ordinarios finales, el 30 % de los examinados seleccionados mediante un muestreo aleatorio estratificado por grupos, se calcularon el índice de dificultad e índice de discriminación por preguntas, temas y ciencias. Resultados: El número de incisos esperados y reales, de acuerdo con las horas clases para cada ciencia estuvo ajustado, no así en las temáticas Ontogenia de 17 incisos esperados se dedicaron 12 (70.5 %), en SOMA de 34 incisos esperados se dedicaron 29 (85.2 %); el índice de dificultad por temáticas, ciencias y temarios fue medianamente fácil (0.74-0.86) al igual que para el examen en su conjunto. El índice de discriminación del tema Ontogenia fue superior en el temario 1 (T1: 0.37 vs. T2: 0.24) y similar en SOMA (T1: 0.40 vs. T2: 0.39) y a nivel de las ciencias [Embriología (T1: 0.39 vs. T2: 0.31), Anatomía (T1: 0.39 vs. T2: 0.37)]. A nivel de preguntas, el índice de discriminación más bajo lo tuvo la pregunta 1 del primer temario (0.22), el resto tuvo índices de discriminación superiores a 0.30. Conclusiones: Ambos temarios tienen un índice de discriminación similar. El índice de dificultad fue medianamente fácil.

ABSTRACT Background: The quality of the assessment instruments is essential in the learning assessment process. Objective: To determine the difficulty and discernment indexes of the Human Ontogeny and SOMA ordinary final test subject. Methodology: A cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted on the Ontogeny and SOMA subject, from 2017 to 2018 academic year at the Sancti Spíritus Faculty of Medical Sciences, 163 final ordinary tests were processed, 30 % of the examinees selected by stratified random cluster sampling, the difficulty and discernment index were calculated by questions, topics and sciences. Results: The number of expected and real items, according to the class hours for each science, was adjusted, but not in the subjects (Ontogeny of 17 expected items were dedicated 12 (70.5 %), in SOMA of 34 expected items 29 were dedicated (85.2 %), the difficulty index by subjects, sciences and syllabus was moderately easy (0.74-0.86) as for the exam as a whole. The discernment index of the topic Ontogeny was higher in the syllabus 1 (T1: 0.37 vs. T2: 0.24) and similar in SOMA (T1: 0.40 vs. T2: 0.39) and [Embryology (T1: 0.39 vs. T2: 0.31), Anatomy (T1: 0.39 vs. T2: 0.37)]. At the science level questions, the lowest discernment index was found in question 1 from the first syllabus (0.22), the rest had discernment indexes higher than 0.30. Conclusions: Both topics have a similar discernment index. The difficulty index was moderately easy.

Factors related to the international research collaboration in the health area: A qualitative study.

BACKGROUND: International research collaboration (IRC) is known as one of the important indicators of productivity, efficiency, and validity of universities in the world. In other words, IRC is necessary for the scientific trade-off between researchers in international scientific societies. The study aimed to address the experiences of an academic researcher about factors related to IRC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present study was conducted using a qualitative approach and conventional content analysis method. The participants consisted of 19 experienced faculty members and researchers from Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, who were selected based on the purposive and snowball sampling techniques. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and were analyzed using the content analysis technique. Guba and Lincoln's evaluative criteria, including credibility, confirmability, dependability, and transferability, were applied to evaluate the trustworthiness of the study. RESULTS: According to the research findings, factors of "personal skills," "personality," "professional position," and "scientific activities" under the category of personal factors; "rules and regulations" and "equipment and facilities" under the organizational factors; and "domestic policies" and "foreign policies" were identified under the government factors category. CONCLUSION: Research collaborations are influenced by individual, intra-academic, and extra-academic factors; thus, research policymakers can help further to enhance the quantity and quality of scientific output and promote the university's placing in international rankings through providing conditions that enable international interactions.

Labor preventiva e implementación de estrategias docentes durante la COVID-19 en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba / Preventive work and implementation of teaching strategies during Covid-19 in the University of Medical Sciences from Santiago de Cuba

Ante la inminente situación mundial a partir del brote de la COVID-19, las organizaciones Mundial y Panamericana de la Salud, han trabajado en el control del virus. El sistema de salud cubano, a través del actuar comunitario con estudiantes y profesores, unido a la labor preventiva, permitió mitigar el riesgo que constituye esta enfermedad para la salud. A tales efectos, se comenta brevemente sobre la organización docente en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba, donde, de forma virtual y bajo condiciones diferentes, se diseñó un nuevo escenario docente para garantizar la culminación de las asignaturas que no forman parte del currículo base del plan de estudio vigente, según las carreras y los diferentes años académicos.

In view of the imminent world situation taking the COVID-19 outbreak as a starting point, the Health World and Pan-American organizations, have worked in the control of virus. The Cuban health system, through community performance with students and professors, along with preventive work, allowed to mitigate the risk that this disease constitutes for the human health. To such effects, it is briefly commented on the teaching organization in the University of Medical Sciences from Santiago de Cuba, where, in a virtual way and under different conditions, a new teaching scenario was designed to guarantee the ending of the subjects that are not part of the basic curriculum in the existing plan of study, according to the careers and the different academic years.

Concepción integradora para la evaluación de impacto de los procesos sustantivos en la universidad médica de Santiago de Cuba / Integrative conception for the impact evaluation of the fundamental processes in the medical university of Santiago de Cuba

La Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba se ha apropiado de la práctica de gestión de la calidad como una cultura necesaria para elevar los estándares de sus procesos sustantivos. Todos los subsistemas que componen el Sistema de Evaluación y Acreditación de la educación superior evalúan variables relacionadas con el impacto. En este artículo se presenta una concepción integradora para dicha evaluación en la Universidad de Ciencias Médicas de Santiago de Cuba. La propuesta integra de manera coherente y con carácter sistémico categorías y conceptos de la evaluación de la calidad en la educación superior. Su implementación permite a la institución el establecimiento de acciones de mejora continua para la formación de recursos humanos de la salud, que protagonicen la transformación social y del estado de salud de la población.

The University of Medical Sciences in Santiago de Cuba has appropriated of the quality administration practice as a necessary culture to elevate the standards of its fundamental processes. All the subsystems that compose the evaluation and accreditation system of the higher education evaluate variables related to the impact. An integrative conception for this evaluation in the University of Medical Sciences of Santiago de Cuba is presented in this work. The proposal integrates in a coherent way and with systemic character categories and concepts of the quality evaluation in higher education. Its implementation allows the institution the establishment of continuous improvement actions for the training of health human resources that play leading role in the social transformation and the population health state.

A roadmap for implementing general policies of resistance economy in the Isfahan Universities of Medical Sciences.

CONTEXT AND AIMS: The country development can be promoted through applying policies of the resistance economy in the health system and universities. Therefore, this paper aimed to provide a scientific analysis of resistance economy policies and providing a roadmap for their implementation in the field of health care of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a qualitative study. The basis, general purposes, and strategies of the resistance economy were extracted from the review of the policy of the resistance economy with a political research approach. Then, effective programs and indicators to achieve the goals of the resistance economy were proposed by holding 10 sessions of a centralized group discussion. Finally, the implementation of the resistance economy in the deputies of the University of Medical Sciences was approved by these programs and indicators along with other components and Delphi questionnaire to 30 experts. Framework analysis and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data from the group discussion and the Delphi stage, respectively. RESULTS: Implementation of general policies of resistance economy in the field of health and treatment of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences with eight thematic bases, 39 goals, 54 strategies, and 98 programs and indicators were approved by experts. The eight areas of people-centered, economic growth, economic justice, support for internal services, economic flexibility, economic stability, economic influence, and economic health were identified as the thematic bases of communicative policies of the resistance economy in the field of health. CONCLUSION: The implementation of resistance economy policies entails planning in the long run, culture-building, appreciating the resistance economy in health issues, cooperation, and synergy among different institutions, restructuring the education system at different levels of the health system, and entrepreneurship training.

Disciplinary-based information literacy skills among medical students.

INTRODUCTION: Disciplinary-based information literacy (DIL) or professional-related information literacy has not been widely studied in the academic context, including medical sciences. This study aimed at investigating the status of DIL among medical students in an Iranian medical university. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional survey. A random sample consisting of 298 students majoring in general medicine at Tehran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran, in the academic year of 2018-2019 completed a valid and reliable 20-item questionnaire on DIL. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. RESULTS: Participants' DIL was less than expected, especially in the skills related to professional information access and evaluation. The majority of them had low DIL level. However, medical students in their last 2 years of study had significantly high scores in DIL than those in their first 2 years of study. CONCLUSION: Information literacy has not been seriously considered in health-related higher education in Iran. It is needed to consider DIL in the medical curriculum for training students to be proficient specialists in medical practice.