Exploring the Elements of Visionary Leadership: A Case Study of Faculty Members in Macro Universities of Medical Sciences in Region 1 in Iran

The purpose of this study is to investigate the components that make up visionary leadership among faculty members in medical science universities across Iran’s Region 1. In this study, a descriptive survey was conducted to gather information on faculty members from universities of medical sciences in Region 1. A total of 320 participants completed a questionnaire containing 91 questions. The collected data were analyzed using exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis tests. The findings indicated that Visionary Leadership consisted of two dimensions - individual and organizational - each with three components. The individual dimension pertained to the characteristics, skills, and behaviors of visionary leaders, while the organizational dimension included the thematic role, schematic role, and matric role of visionary leadership within the organization. The highest standard coefficient was related to the component of characteristics of visionary leaders for the individual dimension and the schematic role of visionary leaders in the organization for the organizational dimension. These findings can help managers and authorities of medical education institutions to train high-powered executives who are committed and motivated to implement the Strategic Declaration of the Supreme Leader. It is necessary to establish a national resolve in this field to improve the quality of medical education in Iran

Patients\u27 Information Needs in Affiliated Hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Introduction Information seeking theories often refer to the concept of information needs, a presumed cognitive state wherein an individual\u27s need state triggers the search behavior characteristic of information seeking in a given context. With the growth of electronic information and the increasing availability of health information, the idea of the \u27informed patient\u27 has become prominent. On the one hand, this has resulted in concerns about associated changes in the doctor-patient relationship and health outcomes [1]; on the other, it has given rise to visions of timely, high quality, accessible, understandable, reliable, and relevant information for patients and care-providers [2] Certainly, a kind of shift is occurring in access to knowledge and, with it, access to power [3]. Over recent years, communication and information have been considered increasingly important in helping people cope with cancer [48]. Understanding what cancer patients need to know and from whom they receive information during the course of care is essential to ensuring quality care [9, 10]. However, it is also recognised that patients vary in how much information they want and that this may change during their illness. These attitudes are reflected in the efforts that patients make to obtain further information or to resist information that is offered to them [11]. It is essential to identify the information topics that are important to patients to provide information that will increase their knowledge, promote independence and persuade them to self-manage their illness. An integral part of quality health care provision is that patients are given information that addresses their needs [12]. Salient issues include information and education, coordination of care, respect for preferences, emotional support, physical comfort, involvement of family and friends, and continuity and transitions in care [13]. Many studies of people diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses reveal that the way in which they are told information and involved in decision-making are important determinants of satisfaction with care. A large American cohort study of seriously ill patients recently confirmed that these factors were also important for families [14]. Patient information is an important part of health care. It is important to evaluate fulfillment of expectations in order to achieve this [15]. The advent of Internet-based information systems has provided an opportunity for the widespread access to medical information [16]. An integral part of quality health care provision is that patients are given information that addresses their needs [17]. Changing roles in health care call for patients to share responsibility for managing their health. Patients may need additional health-related information to participate in healthcare decisions. Providers who understand and address these needs will be in a better position to engage patients\u27 active participation in their healthcare [18]. Patient-centered information is oriented to their needs. The main objective of such information is coping with everyday life and learning to live with the chronic disease [19]. Truth-telling in medicine is a broad area and often encompasses several ethical issues. These issues include the right of patients or their families to receive information about their diagnosis and illness [20]. Any conversation between a health professional and a patient will involve the exchange of information. No longer is the clinician the sole decider of a treatment management plan [21]. Good information provision needs to be accessible, timely, reliable and accurate. Information can help patients and care givers with a variety of different needs, from information to support decision-making (clinical information), to information to help with living with cancer (supportive information) [22]. The experiences and knowledge of patients can complement those of clinicians, health professionals, and researchers [23]. With the increased availability of health information, the idea of the informed patient has become more prominent. Concerns about the associated changes in the doctor-patient relationship and health outcomes [24], contrast with visions of timely, high quality, accessible, understandable, reliable and relevant information for patients and caregivers [25]. Certainly, a shift is occurring in access to knowledge, and with it access to power [26]. There is a considerable interest amongst gastroenterology patients concerning their diagnosis and the management of their disease. The provision of simplified letters about their outpatient management does not seem to have any advantage over simply providing copies of all relevant correspondence sent to GPs[27]. Previous research has highlighted the importance of understanding users\u27 changing information needs [28]. No sooner have users\u27 needs been identified and supported than they change. This paper evaluates the changing information requirements of users through their information journey in two different domains (health and academia). In-depth analysis of findings from interviews, focus groups and observations of 150 users have identified three stages to this journey: information initiation, facilitation (or gathering), and interpretation. The study shows that, although digital libraries are supporting aspects of users\u27 information facilitation, there are still requirements for them to better support users\u27 overall information work in context. Users are poorly supported in the initiation phase, as they recognize their information needs, especially with regard to resource awareness; in this context, interactive press-alerts are discussed. Some users (especially clinicians and patients) also require support in the interpretation of information, both satisfying themselves that the information is trustworthy and understanding what it means for a particular individual [29]. Patients with low literacy are less likely to use the Internet to acquire additional medical knowledge, whether they have access or not. Unfortunately, because these individuals are more likely to have worse health, their needs for health education are greater, especially for those with chronic illnesses [30]. This issue affects their relationship with physicians; studies have shown that patients\u27 acceptance of diagnoses and treatment plans depends on education [31]. Hence, additional efforts are required to assist persons with lower literacy skills. With adaptive technologies supplying touchscreen input and audio output, kiosks can be made available for patients motivated to learn, independent of their literacy or education level [32, 33]. Physician offices with health information kiosks may be an alternative method for browsing health-related information, being temporally linked to clinician interactions. However, additional issues, such as cost, complexity of use, and potentiality for misinformation, then arise [34]. Still, additional research is necessary to determine the possible benefits and effects on the patient-physician relationship. Statement of the Problem Information is important in any activity. It is necessary for the implementation of any plan or project. The first agent of information processing is the recognition of the exact needs of information users. A survey of the information needs of patients is one of the most important tasks of information specialists and librarians. Significance of the Study Innovative studies identify and measure the information needs of patients and highlight priorities and preferences with regard to what information they need [35]. It is essential to identify topics that are important to patients to provide information that will improve their knowledge, promote independence, and encourage them to self-manage their illness [36]. When patients assume a greater role in acquiring knowledge, there must be a corresponding change in the physician\u27s role as decision-maker. Surveys and observational studies are needed to elicit physicians\u27 attitudes toward Internet health information and their corresponding patient-physician relationships. In addition, research is needed to evaluate the barriers to physicians\u27 implementation of information technology. In Canada, researchers have administered a new survey instrument to stratify primary care physicians into different levels of information technology usage. This research tested a new instrument on 101 family physicians, and placed physicians in high, intermediate, and low information technology (IT) usage groups [37]

Survey of characteristics of neonatal death in neonatal intensive care unit of Boo-Ali Sina educational & therapeutic center between 2003-2006

, , , (Received 24 June, 2009 ; Accepted 16 September, 2009)AbstractBackground and purpose: The neonatal mortality rate is an important index for evaluation of public health. It involves the death of infants under 28 days. Obviously, recognizing the characteristics of neonatal mortality in this center, may be useful for promoting the procedures in the NICU, as well as planning to impede the severe complications or death.Materials and methods: This is a descriptive study performed by analyzing the available data from the medical records of NICU patients at Boo-Ali Sina Educational & Therapeutic Center during 2003 and 2006. The number of deaths, names, and medical records number of the dead infants were collected. Among 1238 patients in the NICU, 363 deaths were reported. According to medical records, 222 deaths occurred in neonates aged 0 to 27 days. Data were collected using a checklist, the validity and reliability of which were approved by clinicians. The Descriptive methods were used in analyzing the data.Results: The findings include: 140 subjects were male (63.1%); 72 from single birth (77.5%); the age-group of mothers of 38 cases (37.7%) was 20-24 y; 132 cases (59.5%) resided in villages; 129 cases (58.1%) with prenatal care; 120 cased of Caesarian section (54%); 155 cases (76%) with birth weight lower than 2500 grams and 154 preterm (75.5%). Mortality during neonatal period was divided in two groups: early death (0-6 days) 142 cases (62%) and late death (7-27 days) 80 cases (36%).Conclusion: Correct and exact completion of NICU forms would help undertaking descriptive and analytic epidemiologic studies.Key words: Neonatal mortality, early neonatal mortality, late neonatal mortality, NICUJ Mazand Univ Med Sci 2009; 20(74): 79-83 (Persian

Stress and burnout in libraries & information centers

Stress has been variously defined by popular sources and researchers. A useful construct positions stress and burnout on continuum. In recent years, psychologists have become interested in the study on phenomenon known as, burnout. Burnout is an occupational stress. In organizations, different factors cause stress. One of the immediate outcomes of psychological stress is phenomenon of burn out. Some of the causing agents of burn out, of burn out are presence of severe and improper working condition at organization, improper leadership style practices in the organization and marital status. In this regard, due to development of new technology, information explosion, reduction of finance, lack of professional staff, immediate change at execute posts, specially chiefs of libraries and not using trained librarians caused which stress on the library staff which is followed by reduction of performance, job change, interferences (frustration), pre-term retirement, frequent lack of illness, burnout syndrome, consequently, in search of jobs and having official and executives roles. When there is no job stress for the librarians, they can do these most effort, stress free environment, would result in the acceleration of performance and efficacy. In this condition, proper management can no irradiate burnout. Material and Methods: This research designed and performed for the librarians employed in the libraries affiliated to Mazandaran and Babol Medical Sciences in Mazandaran Province in the North of Iran. Data were collected in the questionnaire designed for different questions. Results: 19 people were married and 11 people unmarried. Most of the participants had bachelor degree holder and 14 permanent (official elopement) employed. It is note worthy that 53.3 % of participants suffered stress (burnout). Since this study is going on, in case of acceptance the results will submit later, with detail and completed. Very little, however, has been done to measure the effectiveness of these remedies in preventing, improving, or eliminating the problem of burnout in these professionals. Conclusion: There is growing research supporting the existence of burnout among academic librarians. Many suggestions to prevent, or remedy, this condition in librarians, some of them addressed specifically to help the academic librarians, have been considered and appear promising. Proffered solutions are targeted at both the individual level, and at a level deemed more effective by most researchers, the organizational level, which includes the broadest level, that of society itself. Very little, however, has been done to measure the effectiveness of these remedies in preventing, improving, or eliminating the problem of burnout in these professionals