The Scientific Output of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Web of Science

Background & Objective: Publishing in journals indexed in well-known indexes is the best way to present an article internationally. It also illustrates the contribution of scholars to the advancement of knowledge in the world. This study aimed to investigate the scientific output of Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Iran, in Web of Science (WOS) during 2004 to 2013. Methods: This applied research uses scientometrics and citation methods to investigate the scientific publications of Kerman University of Medical Sciences during 2004-2013. The data were gathered from Web of Science. Results: During this time period, researchers at Kerman University of Medical Sciences had published 1053 documents in WOS. Most of the documents were in article format. The growth rate of scientific contribution was 70% and the university’s H-index was 30. The papers’ distribution followed the Lotka’s law. In total, the papers had received 4619 citations. Only 2.47% of papers were written by one author. The studied researchers had the most collaboration with Tehran University of Medical Sciences among Iranian universities and the University of Amsterdam among foreign universities. The fields pharmacy and pharmacology had produced the most papers. Conclusion: The results indicated a growing trend in publications and high rates of scientific collaboration by Kerman University of Medical Sciences. It is suggested that different departments follow the experience of departments with the most productivity in order to increase their output. In this way all departments will contribute to the university’s scientific output. Moroever, new policies should be considered to increase the citation rate. Key Words: Science production, Web of Science (WOS), Citation, Document, Scientometrics, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, H-inde

Health risk communication and infodemic management in Iran: development and validation of a conceptual framework

Objective The COVID-19 pandemic exposed significant gaps in Iran’s and other health systems’ risk communication. The accompanying infodemic undermined policy responses, amplified distrust in government and reduced adherence to public health recommendations among the Iranian population. This study aimed to develop a conceptual framework for health risk communication and infodemic management (RCIM) during epidemics and health emergencies in Iran that could have potential applications in other contexts.Design This study was designed in two phases. Phase 1 involved semistructured qualitative interviews with key informants to explore effective RCIM strategies across public health settings in Iran and to develop a conceptual framework. Phase 2 involved revising the framework based on feedback from an online expert panel regarding its comprehensiveness and validity.Setting Provincial/national public health settings in Iran.Participants Twenty key informants from provincial and national public health authorities who contributed to COVID-19 response programmes participated in interviews. Nine experts from diverse academic disciplines, provincial and national settings, and geographical locations participated in an online expert panel.Results The conceptual model was created based on qualitative interviews and expert panel discussions and was structured according to six pillars of the WHO health system framework: leadership and governance, information, health workforce and financial resources, along with media and community. Leadership and governance, including trustworthy leaders, were recommended as the foundation for developing RCIM in Iran. Developing an official strategy with information infrastructures, including high-quality surveillance systems, identified personnel and training for specialists among the health workforce, financial resources, communication channels and community engagement were recognised as other dimensions for developing health risk communication in Iran.Conclusion The proposed framework represents a step toward establishing a national RCIM strategy in Iran. Further validation of the conceptual framework and experiments on how it could potentially influence policy and practice is recommended. This model has the potential to be applied in other contexts in its current form or as the foundation for customised local versions