Is tele-education a proper substitute for regular method to train anesthesiology residents?

Background: Communication technology development has provided easier and quicker services in various medical fields. One of the main applications of tele-communication is tele-education, which helps in remote education of students. This study was designed to compare impact of tele-education and regular education methods on anesthesiology residents.Methods and Materials: Anesthesiology residents participated in both tele-education and regular courses during a one-year period. Various related subjects were taught in tele conference and regular sessions. In each course, residents were assessed by pretest and posttest exams. Finally, satisfaction was evaluated regarding quality of sessions using questionnaires especially prepared for the purpose.Results: Mann-Whitney U test showed no statistically significant difference in pretest (p=0.15) and posttest (p=0.07) results of both courses, although this difference was notably in favor of tele- posttest results. The highest rate of satisfaction among residents was dedicated to "saving time" to get to tele conference classes. Moreover, 92.59% of residents preferred to take part in tele conference classes.Conclusion: The study showed that tele-education and regular methods could be equally effective in the education of residents. Some advantages of tele-education for anesthesiology residents were high satisfaction of residents, time saving, and overcoming long distance. Tele-education could be regarded as an effective substitute for regular education of anesthesiology residents.s

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Asthma and Allergic Diseases in Primary Schoolchildren Living in Bushehr, Iran: Phase I, III ISAAC Protocol

Asthma and allergic diseases present a major health burden. Information on the prevalence of these diseases indicates that these diseases are increasing in various parts of the world. It was hoped that this study would be helpful to health system policy-makers in planning allergy prevention programs in the region. The prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases and relation between the various risk factors involved were assessed among schoolchildren in the city of Bushehr, Iran. The ISAAC Phase I and III questionnaires were completed by parents of 1280 children aged 6-7 years and self-completed by 1115 students aged 13-14 years. The prevalence of atopic eczema, allergic rhinitis and asthma among 6-7 year-old students were 12.1%, 11.8% and 6.7%, respectively. While, the prevalence of these diseases among 13-14 year-old students were found to be 19%, 30% and 7.6%, respectively. There was an association between asthma and allergic rhinitis as well as eczema (p<0.05). Consumption of fast food as a risk factor was significantly associated with asthma (p=0.03). The prevalence of asthma and allergic diseases was high among schoolchildren in the city of Bushehr, Iran. Also an association was observed between the fast food consumption and asthma. Keywords: Allergic rhinitis; Asthma, Atopic eczema; Children; ISAAC; Prevalenc

Mobile health: A comparative study of medical and health applications in Iran

Background: The use of mobile phones in the field of medicine is rapidly increasing in developed and developing countries. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of the top mobile applications based on superiority from the user's point of view and medical content. Methods: Information of each app was recorded in a Google Forms, especially designed for this purpose. The Bazaar App Store, which has two main categories for health: medicine and health and fitness, was used as a source for Persian-language Android applications. The apps of these two domains were installed, and our experts reviewed and rated them in terms of content and technical performance. Results: From a total of 3500 applications available in the App Store, 112 apps were selected. Of these, 76.8% were in the field of medicine and 23.2% in the field of health and fitness. The developers of the app consisted of four main groups: (1) nonhealth-care organization, (2) individual app developers, (3) health-care organization, and (4) university or academic research group. The top five major areas of services were: (1) general medical services, (2) addressing medical centers and online appointments, (3) drug information, (4) physical activity and (5) patient follow-up. Conclusion: The review of users' scores and comparing it with the scores of specialists showed that although people tend to use telemedicine services, since there is still no formally approved framework for design and scientific content of these applications, most apps operate in the field of general information and services

Comparison of tobacco control programs worldwide: A quantitative analysis of the 2015 World Health Organization MPOWER report

Background: A report of the activities of countries worldwide for six main policies to control tobacco use is published once every 2 years by the World Health Organization (WHO). Our objective was to perform a quantitative analysis for it in countries and regions to make a simple view of its programs. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study by filling out a validated checklist from the 2015 WHO Report (MPOWER). All ten MPOWER measures got scores and were entered independently by two individuals and a third party compared the values. Results: Fifteen countries, which acquired the highest scores (85% of total 37), included Panama and Turkey with 35, Brazil and Uruguay with 34, Ireland, United Kingdom, Iran, Brunei, Argentina, and Costa Rica with 33, and Australia, Nepal, Thailand, Canada, and Mauritius with 32 points. Conclusions: Comparison of scores of different countries in this respect can be beneficial since it creates a challenge for the health policymakers to find weakness of the tobacco control programs to work on it

Electronic cigarette, effective or harmful for quitting smoking and respiratory health: A quantitative review papers

Background: In recent years, electronic cigarettes (ECs) have been heavily advertised as an alternative smoking device as well as a possible cessation method. We aimed to review all published scientific literature pertaining to ECs and to present a simple conclusion about their effects for quitting smoking and respiratory health. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a search of PubMed, limited to English publications upto September 2014. The total number of papers which had ECs in its title and their conclusions positive or negative regarding ECs effects were computed. The number of negative papers was subtracted from the number of positive ones to make a score. Results: Of the 149 articles, 137 (91.9%) were accessible, of which 68 did not have inclusion criteria. In the 69 remaining articles, 24 studies supported ECs and 45 considered these to be harmful. Finally, based on this evidence, the score of ECs (computed result with positive minus negative) was −21. Conclusion: Evidence to suggest that ECs may be effective and advisable for quitting smoking or a safe alternative for smoking is lacking and may instead harm the respiratory system. However, further studies are needed

A Comparative Study on Tobacco Cessation Methods: A Quantitative Systematic Review

Background: During recent years, there have been many advances in different types of pharmacological and non-pharmacological tobacco control treatments. In this study, we aimed to identify the most effective smoking cessation methods used in quit based upon a review of the literature. Methods: We did a search of PubMed, limited to English publications from 2000 to 2012. Two trained reviewers independently assessed titles, abstracts and full texts of articles after a pilot inter-rater reliability assessment which was conducted by the author (GH). The total number of papers and their conclusions including recommendation of that method (positive) or not supporting (negative) was computed for each method. The number of negative papers was subtracted from the number of positive ones for each method. In cases of inconsistency between the two reviewers, these were adjudicated by author. Results: Of the 932 articles that were critically assessed, 780 studies supported quit smoking methods. In 90 studies, the methods were not supported or rejected and in 62 cases the methods were not supported. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), Champix and Zyban with 352, 117 and 71 studies respectively were the most supported methods and e-cigarettes and non-Nicotine medications with one case were the least supported methods. Finally, NRT with 39 and Champix and education with 36 scores were the most supported methods. Conclusions: Results of this review indicate that the scientific papers in the most recent decade recommend the use of NRT and Champix in combination with educational interventions. Additional research is needed to compare qualitative and quantitative studies for smoking cessation

Assessment of different quit smoking methods selected by patients in tobacco cessation centers in Iran

Background: Health systems play key roles in identifying tobacco users and providing evidence-based care to help them quit. This treatment includes different methods such as simple medical consultation, medication, and telephone counseling. To assess different quit smoking methods selected by patients in tobacco cessation centers in Iran in order to identify those that are most appropriate for the country health system. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, a random sample of all quit centers at the country level was used to obtain a representative sample. Patients completed the self-administered questionnaire which contained 10 questions regarding the quality, cost, effect, side effects and the results of quitting methods using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Percentages, frequencies, mean, T-test, and variance analyses were computed for all study variables. Results: A total of 1063 smokers returned completed survey questionnaires. The most frequently used methods were Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) and combination therapy (NRT and Counseling) with 228 and 163 individuals reporting these respectively. The least used methods were hypnotism (n = 8) and the quit and win (n = 17). The methods which gained the maximum scores were respectively the combined method, personal and Champix with means of 21.4, 20.4 and 18.4. The minimum scores were for e-cigarettes, hypnotism and education with means of 12.8, 11 and 10.8, respectively. There were significant differences in mean scores based on different cities and different methods. Conclusions: According to smokers′ selection the combined therapy, personal methods and Champix are the most effective methods for quit smoking and these methods could be much more considered in the country health system

Quit smoking experts′ opinions toward quality and results of quit smoking methods provided in tobacco cessation services centers in Iran

Background: One of the core responsibilities of health system is to treat tobacco dependence. This treatment includes different methods such as simple medical consultation, medication, and telephone counseling. To assess physicians′ opinions towards quality and result of different quit smoking methods provided in tobacco cessation services centers in Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional and descriptive study, random sampling of all quit centers at country level was used to obtain a representative sample size of 100 physicians. Physicians completed a self-administered questionnaire which contained 10 questions regarding the quality, cost, effect, side effects, and the results of quitting methods using a 5-point Likert-type scale. Percentages, frequencies, mean, T-test, and variance analyses were computed for all study variables. Results: Most experts preferred to use combination quit smoking methods and then Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) with 26 and 23, respectively. The least used methods were quit line and some methods without medication with 3 cases. The method which gained the maximum scores were telephone consultation, acupuncture, Willpower, Champix, combined method, and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) with the mean of 23.3, 23, 22.5, 22, 21.7 and 21.3, respectively. The minimum scores were related to e-cigarette, some methods without medication, and non-NRT medication with the mean of 12.3, 15.8 and 16.2, respectively. There were no significant differences in the mean of scores based on different cities (P = 0.256). Analysis of variance in mean scores showed significant differences in the means scores of different methods (P < 0.000). Conclusions: According to physicians acupuncture, personal methods and Champix are the most effective methods and these methods could be much more feasible and cost effective than other methods

Evaluation of mobile phone-based tele-monitoring of cystic fibrosis patients during the COVID-19 pandemic: A 3-year experience in Iran

Background: Telemedicine has been used for cystic fibrosis (CF) in a wide range of signs and symptoms even before the COVID 19 pandemic, however, little is known about the health consequences and use of specific health care for cystic CF. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of clinical trends and data related to mobile based monitoring activities in CF patients at home for 3 years. Methods: This is a semi experimental single group study. Forty five CF patients under 7 years' old who were referred to the Masih Daneshvari Hospital between 2018 and 2021 were selected. A mobile phone_based customized Short Message Service (SMS) application used to monitor patients. Remotely monitored variables included the amount and color of sputum, cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath at rest. SPSS using Chi square and Friedman tests. Results: The condition of patients based on the number and type of cough increased sputum, decreased appetite, fatty stool, fever and dyspnea, headache, noninvasive ventilation, and drug comfortably remained almost unchanged in the study of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd years, and the studied parameters did not show a significant difference (P > 0.05). Of course, the number of outpatient visits decreased significantly (P value: 0.02). The respiratory rate and arterial oxygen saturation variables were almost the same in three consecutive annual measurements (P values: 0.544 and 0.639, respectively). Conclusion: Telemedicine is a method that is useful in the follow up of chronic diseases such as CF and improves the quality of life and reduces the deterioration of lung function; therefore, there is less need for invasive treatments in the long run, and a fundamental change in referral motivation brings to the hospital