Exploration of the Experiences and Viewpoints of Faculty Members on Continuing Education Webinars: A Qualitative Study

Continuing education is necessary to improve the professional knowledge and skills of graduates of medical sciences, which may be implemented via e-learning. This qualitative study aimed to explore the experiences and viewpoints of faculty members participating in continuing education webinars. The participants consisted of 15 faculty members selected purposefully and with maximal variation regarding their sex, age, the field of specialization, academic rank, and work experience. Data were collected through semi-structured individual face-to-face interviews. Data analysis of these transcripts using a qualitative content analysis approach revealed 3 themes and 9 sub-themes. The main themes included “Moving across the boundaries of knowledge,” Virtual education challenges,” and “Motivators and facilitators.” These data suggest that the main prerequisites for holding successful and effective continuing education webinars are the existence of the necessary software and hardware infrastructures, high-speed and accessible Internet, purposeful educational design, as well as empowering, motivating, and encouraging faculty members to participate in such educational programs. The technical infrastructures and human elements remain critical in effective implementation of continuing education webinars

Medication Adherence and its Related Factors in Patients Undergoing Coronary Artery Angioplasty

Introduction: Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI) has no effect on coronary artery atherosclerosis, thus the modification of physiological risk factors seems essential to prevent coronary artery disease (CAD). Then PCI patients have to receive multiple drug therapies in an attempt to prevent the recurrence of cardiac events. In spite of the evidence based on medication adherence to prevent post-PCI CAD development, medication adherence is the main concern for health care system. Accordingly, this study aims to determine the medication adherence and its related factors among these patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the statistical community was the patients undergoing PCI at medical educational hospital of Dr. Heshmat in Rasht, Iran. 269 patients were selected by convenient sampling method. The data were collected by a questionnaire consisting of 4 parts, namely the socio-individual factors, Morisky medication adherence scale, hospital anxiety and depression scale and cardiac patient’s self-efficacy scale. Data analysis was done by descriptive statistics and the significance variables in univariate analysis were examined in a multi logistic regression model through considering co-linearity. Results: The results showed that 75 patients (28%) didn’t adhere to the medication. In addition, the majority of them were reported to have clinical anxiety (44.2%) and mild depression (55.8%). Also, based on the results derived from multiple logistic regressions, only the spouse's educational level and family history of coronary artery disease were significant predictors of medication adherence. Conclusion: The current study findings display lack of complete post-PCI medication adherence, which underscores the importance of the existence of cardiac rehabilitation systems in the society. Therefore, it is recommended that cardiac rehabilitation centers be built in the society

Investigating the Relationship between Physical Activity Level and Related Cardiovascular and Risk Factors in Patients with Heart Stroke

Introduction and Objectives: Coronary artery disease is one of the major health problems worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, this disease is one of the leading causes of death in the world as well as in Iran. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the relationship between physical activity level and some risk factors for coronary heart disease in patients with heart attack. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional study of the analytical descriptive type in which the study population included patients with myocardial infarction referred to Dr. Heshmat Educational and Medical Center in 1994. The sampling method was available and 180 patients with myocardial infarction were studied according to the entry criteria. Data were collected using data collection tools. The collection tools were: 1) Demographic information: age, sex and marital status, family history of heart disease, 2) Clinical trials, including cholesterol, triglycerides, etc. Upon arrival at the hospital and 3) Questionnaire Back level of physical activity. Results: 66% of the studied units were men and the mean age of the patients was 62 years. The average score on the level of physical activity in the field of work and leisure time in Venice was significantly higher in men than in women (P ). Conclusion: It is recommended to include regular and correct physical activity in the treatment plan of these patients. Choosing an active lifestyle in addition to maintaining body mass index in the appropriate range and reducing excess fat, causes control and prevention of cardiovascular risk factors. By increasing the level of regular and correct physical activity for patients, it may be possible to prevent the risk of developing cardiovascular disease