The Inquiry of International Standards for Medical Tourism: A Case Study into Hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Medical tourism is a rapidly growing industry that has provided special opportunities to gain competitive advantage over international health organizations. This study aimed to investigate the quality requirements based on Joint Commission International (JCI) for medical tourism in selected hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study that was conducted at three educational hospitals operated by Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2013. The data were collected through the last updated checklists (translation of the standards of JCI, comprising 13 axial) completed by the researcher. Data analysis was done using descriptive and analytical tests including frequency, standard deviation and T- Test by means of SPSS 19.0. Results: Studied hospitals met 76.8% of organization-oriented standards plus 75.4% of patient-oriented standards. There were two patient-oriented standards, namely access to care and its continuity 87.2% alongside anesthesia and surgery care 86.6% which were met at the highest level. On the other side, organization-oriented standard of leadership and guidance 69.2% was the item met at the least. Conclusion: It seems that studied hospitals are ready to attract medical tourists by the advantage of service quality. Moreover, it is necessary to give attention to the strengths and improve the weaknesses concerning quality of services. Criteria on service charges, waited time and etc, should be scientifically analyzed and reviewed as well

Prediction of suicidal thoughts based on cognitive emotion regulation strategies, perceived social support, self-efficacy, perfectionism, and spiritual health in students at Ilam universities

Introduction: Suicide is a tragic and complex public health problem that affects individuals, families, and communities. The current study aimed to predict suicidal ideation based on cognitive emotion regulation strategies, perceived social support, self-efficacy, perfectionism, and spiritual health in students at Ilam universities, Ilam, Iran. Material & Methods: The current study was a cross-sectional study conducted in 2021. A total of 463 working students studying in Ilam universities were selected and included in the study through the available sampling method. A questionnaire was used for data collection. To determine the relationship between the variables and suicidal thoughts, the Pearson correlation test was used, and to investigate the predictors associated with suicidal thoughts, stepwise regression analysis was performed. Findings: The research results showed a significant negative relationship between the variables of perceived social support, self-efficacy, spiritual health, and positive emotion regulation strategies (i.e., acceptance, positive reorientation, planning, positive appraisal, and underestimation) and a significant positive relationship between perfectionism variables and negative emotion regulation strategies (i.e., self-blame, rumination, catastrophizing, and blaming others) with suicidal thoughts. The highest correlation coefficient was related to perceived social support, which was the most important predictive variable in this study (r=-0.71). Perceived social support, existential health, rumination, perfectionism, self-efficacy, self-blame, and acceptance variables were able to become significant as predictive variables in the regression equation. In total, these factors explained 66% of the variance of suicidal thoughts. Discussion & Conclusion: Based on the research findings, the variables of cognitive emotion regulation strategies, perceived social support, self-efficacy, perfectionism, and spiritual health may be important components and predictors of suicidal thoughts. Therefore, it is important to pay attention to these components in suicide prevention programs and treatment and counseling method

A model to predict low birth weight infants and affecting factors using data mining techniques

Introduction: Birth weight is a reliable indication of intrauterine growth and determines the child's future physical and intellectual development. The purpose of this study was to use data mining technique in identifying accurate predictors of (low birth weight) LBW. Materials and methods: This study used secondary data from 450 medical records of newborns in the educational Hospitals affiliated to Ilam University of Medical Sciences. The birth records were reviewed from April 2015 to April 2016.  The checklist used to collect data comprised of two parts: demographic and effective factors (13 factors of medical and neonatal, 4 factors of mother's lifestyle and 8 about mother factors). Data were analyzed by SPSS version 21 and WEKA software. Results: Our findings showed that mean weight of infants was 2289 ± 864 gr. The mean gestational age was 35.2 ± 4.63 weeks. 14.9% of mothers suffer from placenta previa and 14.4% suffer from preeclampsia. The results of ANOVA showed that neonatal weight was significantly higher among mothers with weight range of 84-110 Kg. The random forest algorithm showed that gestational age less than 36 weeks is main predictor and number of fetuses, preeclampsia, and premature rupture of membrane, placenta previa, the number of pregnancies and the degree of mother education were other predictors of low birth weight. Conclusion: This study confirmed that low birth weight is a multifactorial condition requiring a systematic and accurate program to reduce LBW. Individual and group education through mass media, repeated monitoring of pregnant mothers, activation of the referral system and pursuit of a family health care technician may reduce prevalence of LBW

Exploring the Relationship between Academic Engagement and Achievement among Nursing Students of Ilam University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: Academic engagement is one of the key factors related to the academic achievement of students, which is considered as a significant research issue in higher education. Academic engagement focuses on the internal commitment and active involvement of students in access to learning. This study endeavored to explore the relationship between academic engagement and achievement among nursing students of Ilam University of Medical Sciences. Methods: This cross-sectional descriptive was conducted in school of nursing in Ilam University of Medical Sciences. The population was all nursing students in 2018 (140 students) who completed and returned 116 questionnaires. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire taken from an external questionnaire including 14 questions in three dimensions of Vigor, Dedication, and Absorption. Besides, a researcher-made questionnaire was developed to measure students' academic achievement. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and correlation tests of Spearman, Manwitney and Kroskalwalis. Results: Among the dimensions of academic engagement, the dimension of Dedication (2.32±0.88) and Vigor (2.22±0.87) had the highest and lowest mean and standard deviation, respectively. There was no significant correlation between academic engagement and students' academic achievement (r=0.096). There was a significant relationship between gender with academic achievement and engagement and the years spent studying with students' academic involvement P <0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant correlation between the dimensions of academic engagement and Grad Point Average and the rate of academic engagement in female students was higher and decreased with age and increased the length (years) of study. It is suggested that interesting and varied methods need to be used for teaching and learning students. Similarly, holding training courses for professors to gain more skills in motivational management of students and learning attractive and effective teaching methods seems to be needed to promote students' academic engagement

Content Analysis of the Lesson Plans Developed by Faculty of Ilam University of Medical Sciences in 2009

Introduction: Lesson plan is one of the key factors in the education process. The main purpose of lesson plan is to facilitate teaching and learning by establishing a good communication platform. This study performed a content analysis of the lesson plans developed by faculty members of Ilam University of Medical Sciences. Methods: In this cross – sectional study, all 108 lesson plans developed by the faculty of Ilam University of Medical Sciences in the first and second semesters in 2009 were analyzed. The data was collected by a checklist covering 13 dimensions. Data analysis was done using t-test, and ANOVA. Results: Maximum and minimum ratios of the lesson plans belonged to schools of health (43.5%) and medicine (12%), respectively. The total average score of evaluation of the lesson plans developed was 67.94±16.57 (out of 100). The most common mistakes were related to objectives (45.4%), and evaluation methods (25.9%). The greatest shortcomings were related to dimensions of general and class regulations and policies (58.3%), preparation of learners before class sessions (55.6%), and assignments (40.7%). The dimensions of objectives in the lesson plans (89.9%), teaching methods (82.4%), and references recommended (82.4%) gained the highest scores. There was a significant relationship between faculty members’ academic ranks and evaluation scores of their lesson plans (p=0.03, CI95% =0.6-16.0). Conclusion: Based on the findings of the study, holding lesson plan workshops and using a standardized lesson plan templates could provide an appropriate basis for developing better lesson plans by the faculty

Relationship Between the Occupational Accidents and Absence from Work Employees in Shiraz Namazi Hospital

Background and Aim: An Adapting work condition with physical and mental conditions of employees is an essential factor to do the job effectively. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between employees occupational accidents and absence from work in Shiraz Namazi Hospital.Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical and cross-sectional study was done in Shiraz Namazi Hospital at 2010. One Hundred and sixty employees in different departments of the hospital with a random stratified sampling were enrolled in this study. Data were collected using the checklist consisting of three parts: demographic information, types of occupational accidents and three open questions to enumerate other occupational accidents, diseases resulting from occupational accidents and possible causes of exposure to this accidents. Data were analyzed using the SPSS software and using descriptive statistics and chi square & t tests.Results: Out of 160, 159 participants responded and returned the questionnaire, out of which 68.9% were females. Cuts with sharp objects (22%) and toxicity resulting from working with solvents (82%) were the lowest and highest non-exposure in sample's studies, respectively. A statistically significant relationship between gender, work shift, organizational status and duration of employment with the occurrence of a number of occupational accidents was observed.Conclusion: According to the results, there was no clear relationship between absences from work and frequency of each occupational accident. We recommend the hospitals to consider notebooks for recording occupational accidents and their way of occurrence. Also , training courses for employees shoud be in priority

Prioritizing the Factors Affecting Job Satisfaction among Hospitals Staff Affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences Based on Analytic Hierarchy Process

Introduction: Challenges of service provision systems necessitate the presence of staff with higher motivation to work more efficiently; therefore, paying close attention to job satisfaction of such staffs to enhance organizational efficiency sounds essential. This study aimed to prioritize factors affecting personnel satisfaction in hospitals of TUMS using AHP Model. &nbsp; Materials & Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted in 5 hospitals affiliated to Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2015. The data collection tool was a questionnaire containing demographic questions as well as nine questions on personnel satisfaction. The validity and reliability of the questionnaire were assessed, and the data was analyzed using analytic hierarchy process and Expert Choice V. 11 software. &nbsp; Findings: According to the AHP model, rewards and compensations were the most important factors (0.262), and monitoring and supervision were of the lowest importance (0.030). Factors of Job security (0.182), job improvement (0.177), job positions (0.091), working conditions (0.075), communications among colleagues (0.063), associated with personal life (0.060), and policy management (0.035) obtained next priority. Also, rank of items in unmarried female employees were higher than that of married male employees. &nbsp; Discussion & Conclusion: The conclusions for our investigation demonstrate that correction mechanisms in hospitals and use of leverage by offering incentives such as performance-based management can enhance motivation as well as the employees&rsquo; performances. In addition, efforts to strengthen social relationships among colleagues would lead to more satisfaction as a significant component

Health-Related Quality of Life among Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Post-Treatment Follow-Up Study in Iran

Objective. To examine the changes in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) in terms of age, gender, and treatment strategy in Iran. Methods and Materials. Forty-nine patients responded to the Iranian version of the 36-item short form (SF-36) questionnaire to evaluate the HRQoL at first and third year after treatment. The paired and independent Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were used for within and between comparisons, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis was used to analyze the predictors of changes at HRQoL. Results. In general, during followup, the mental component summary scale improved, and the physical component summary scale declined. The results of multiple regression showed that the score at the first year post-treatment was the main predictor of HRQoL at follow up. Moreover, after adjusting for other covariates, receiving PTCA and being at older age were related to lower scores at followup, but these were not statistically significant in most cases. Conclusion. The HRQoL significantly changed from one to three years after treatment in patients with CAD. While, the physical health deteriorated during two-year follow up, mental health improved at the same time period. Generally, there were no significant differences at changes of HRQoL in terms of treatment, age, and gender

The Effective Factors on Staffs` Satisfaction in Accordance with Smith-Kendall-Hullin model in Teaching Hospitals: A Case Study

Introduction: Challenges of service provision systems necessitate the presence of staff with higher motivation to work more efficiently, so paying close attention to job satisfaction of these staffs to enhance organizational efficiency sounds essential. The aim of this study was to investigate and among those staffs working in a Shohadaye Tajrish educational Hospital in Tehran. Method: This was a cross-sectional correlative study on a 200-staff sample in a teaching hospital in Tehran which was selected by a simple accidental sampling in 2013. The research instrument was a questionnaire with 25 questions that was considered suitable for face and construct validity and reliability. Data analysis was done by parametric statistics and Pearson correlation on statistical level of 0.05 applying SPSS version 18. Results: Results indicated that the highest average of the participants was related to satisfaction of coworker's dimension 4.05±­0.87, and the least average belonged to satisfaction of salary 1.54±0.74. Furthermore, there was positive and statisticant relation between the whole satisfaction and all other five dimensions of the model. Finally the analysis among two variables (sex and age) and whole job satisfaction had significant relationship. Conclusion: It seems that correcting reward mechanisms in hospitals and applying managerial tools like performance-based-management can improve the staffs` performance and motivation. In addition, reinforcing the social relationships among coworkers may lead to incremental changes in one of the most important dimensions of the model and finally affect the whole satisfaction. Key­words: Teaching Hospital, Model of Smithn and Kendall, Job Satisfaction Citation: Bastani P, Mostafaee D, Sadeghifar J, Karimi S, Hamidi H. The Effective Factors on Staffs` Satisfaction in Accordance with Smith-Kendall-Hullin Model in Teaching Hospitals: A Case Study. Journal of Health Based Research 2015 1(2):167-176