Strategic Planning For Research Information Management System In Health: Lessons Learned From IRAN

Abstract: Great amounts of data are lost due mainly to the improper information management. Developing a research information management system leads to more efficient information management, which in turn encourages more effective collaboration of researchers even in long ranges. The present study, therefore, aimed at developing a strategic plan for improvement of the research information management system in Iran. The present work is a qualitative study conducted according to the group discussion method in six months. This study was conducted in the research department of the Iranian Ministry of Health by collaboration of eight experts from the department and a number of the specialties from all of the medical universities in Iran. The amount of work done by these experts was 600 person-hr. According to the results of the present study, some influential factors were detected: infirmity of private organizations (national) (10.25), ownership (intraorganizational) (8.75), education (intraorganizational) (8.25), lack of common language (national) (6), culture (intraorganizational) (6), collaboration between different sections (national) (5), resistance (intraorganizational) (2.4), and improper reporting (national) (1.8). Then, strategies of the national system were determined in each section. The most critical strategies are as follows: proper use of the national scientific network, improving the tools for private network, process development, localization of consumption patterns, effective publication and distribution of the results, conduct of advanced search based on MESH, and applying a registration system. It was concluded, according to the results of the study, that since financial issues have a high priority in health systems, integrated collaboration of policymakers and managers in the health system is necessary for strategic planning for research information management systems in Iran

Comparison of Open Source Learning Management Softwares and Presenting a Native Evaluation Tool

Introduction: Nowadays all educational institutes are trying to use technology in their structure. This effort has been faced with different barriers, including cost, time, and support. Therefore, using open source softwares can partially help us in using technology. In this article, we review main features of several open source learning management softwares, while presenting a tool which includes all the necessary features of a Learning Management System(LMS). Methods: An evaluation tool with 118 operational features for LMS softwares was developed. Five famous open source softwares of learning management system were compared based on its variables. These sofwares were: Moodle, Olat, Dokeos, ILIAS, and Docebo. Results: Most of the open source LMS softwares have operational characteristics such as mass media, curriculum and student management, personalization, and financial management. However, they are different in details. Conclusion: There are quite a number of similarities and some differences between open source LMS softwares. Generally, choosing an open source LMS would be based on the demands of any educational organization. In this article, necessary characteristics of a suitable open source learning management computer program are presente

Research Information System in Health Domain: Comparative Approach

Objective: In recent decades, in low-income developing countries, management has faced serious challenges due to deficient information. An increasing number of dispersed data, concepts, observation of poor outputs, and separate software applications aggravated the situation, too. In order to promote and balance the research environment in the field of health, developing a platform for appropriate interactions is essential. Thus, the basic question is what requirements must be considered for suitable health research information system in Iran? Materials and Methods: The present study is a descriptive-comparative approach conducted in Iran in the years 2010-2011. System requirements of research information in Iran, United States, Australia, Japan and Netherland were reviewed and compared. Checklist was used for data collection. Data was collected from conference and journals papers and relevant manuals/guidelines from websites on their systems. Finally, data collected in the comparative tables were compared and described. Results: The requirement for national health research information system were determined based on the following central axis: structure, content, methods of gathering information, services and capabilities and methods of disseminating information which were assigned base on common and diverse components in countries’ systems. Conclusion: In order to achieve this national system, it is important that there should be a common serious determination for its development, change in attitude and culture of the researcher’s society in the domain of health and also improvement in the country’s information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure

Developing Research Information System in Health Sector: a Delphi Study

Abstract: In recent decades, in low-income developing countries, management has been faced with serious challenges due to deficient information. An increasing number of dispersed data, concepts, observation of poor outputs, separate and egocentric software applications aggravated the situation too. In order to promote and balance the research environment in the field of health, developing a platform for appropriate interactions in the field of health research is essential. Thus, the basic question is what kind of model is suitable for research information system in the field of health in Iran? The present study is a descriptive -comparative qualitative approach conducted in Iran in the years 2010-2011. Based on collected data, the preliminary model was designed and it was assessed through questionnaire and Delphi Technique. In case the questionnaire gets the approval of less than 50% from the respondents, items in the proposed model will be excluded whereas if the questionnaire gets the approval of more than 75% from the respondents, items will be implemented on the model. If the questionnaire gets the approval between 50-74% from the respondents, the model will be re-evaluated and modified. The modified questionnaire will be given to the respondents again and, in case that it will get the approval of more than 75% or more, the items will be implemented and the model will be finalized. The proposed model for the country is based on the following central axes: structure, content, methods of gathering information, services and capabilities and methods of disseminating information and as well as two minor axes namely; search services and portal which were approved by the respondents. The major strength of this model includes: presentation of effective and useful services, provide an environment for research marketing, maintenance of ownership rights for the researchers. The most important weakness of this model is that it does not address to protocols, standards and technical issues. In order to achieve this national system, it is important that there should be a common serious determination for its development, change in attitude and culture of the researcher's society in the domain of health and also improvement in the country's ICT infrastructure. In this regard, perhaps the most important role of policymakers in formulating policies and programs relevant to research in a medium term period, is the implementation of the proposed model

Assessment on the Dissemination and Knowledge Translation of Medical Students and PhD Students’ Theses in the Year 2006-2013

Objective: The importance of research and its fundamental role in the country’s growth and development is vital. Connecting research to knowledge translation is an essential component of research process and its production, management, and the maintenance of this process is the reason behind the survival of the national health research system. Knowledge translation is the process of disseminating knowledge into actual use, or simply application of knowledge. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted on 418 university students enrolled in medical universities throughout the country during the period from September 2006 to 2013. Results: About 42.5% of respondents have expressed that results of dissertations will benefit the health care providers while 2.2% of respondents have expressed that research results can benefit the industrial sector, they further expressed that 11.4% of researchers and 32.2% of the general population can benefit from these researches. Furthermore, in order that results of students’ dissertations will become useful to others 71.7% of the students have expressed that research results be published as an article in international indexed journals. Conclusion: The results of this study showed that majority of students have selected the title of their research project based on their personal interest and then decided based on the opinion of their thesis mentor. The principles of accurate and relevant data management must be implemented in order that researches will be directed toward being more practical rather than theoretical. Hence, by performing more extensive researches, barriers as well as factors that promote researches will be identified and by emphasizing on knowledge translation a cultural environment aiming at presenting research results to users will be achieved and researches and dissertations that resulted to the solution of the problems of the community will be promoted

Prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Iranian hemodialysis patients: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a major cause of liver disease and a potential cause of substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aims to provide a comprehensive evidence on HCV Infection in Iranian hemodialysis (HD) patients we conducted a systematic review. Materials and Methods: In this systematic review and meta-analysis, through a comprehensive search of literature until January of 2016, we estimated the pooled prevalence of hepatitis C infection in Iranian HD patients. Using Medical Subject Headings terms, Emtree, and related equal Persian key words for Iranian databases and also international databases of PubMed and NLM Gateway (for MEDLINE), and SCOPUS. Interest outcome of HCV infection prevalence was confirmed based on positive hepatitis B surface antigen of blood samples. Random effect meta-analysis was used to estimate pooled prevalence of HCV infection in Iranian HD patients, date and language, HD patients, in adult HD patients, Institute of Scientific Information, Iran-doc, irrespective of age, living in Iran. Searches run through main domestic databanks of Iran-Medex, renal transplantation, Scientific Information Database, the relevant literature-searched concentrating on HCV infection. Results: Through searching steps, 305 publications were found from them following the excluding duplicates and overlapping studies 54 studies relevant to HCV prevalence in Iranian HD zcxw patients, with number of 23921 participants, remained in our analyses. The overall results of test of heterogeneity demonstrate sever heterogeneity between reported prevalence (I2 = 96.62%, Chi-square = 1566, P < 0.001). Due to sever heterogeneity results of random effect meta-analysis showed that the estimated pooled prevalence was 11% (95% confidence interval [CI] =10%–13%). The pooled prevalence base on polymerase-chain reaction, recombinant immunoblot assay, and enzyme-Linked Immunosorbant Antibody method were 11% (95% CI = 6%–15%), 9% (95% CI = 5–13) and 12% (95% CI = 10–14), respectively. In line with previous studies, the present finding shows the significant variation in the rate of HCV in dialysis units among the regions in Iran. Conclusion: Present paper is the comprehensive updated systematic review on HCV prevalence in the Iranian HD patients. Our findings provide the reliable evidence for promotion of policies and interventional programs