Designing a model for critical thinking development in AJA University of Medical Sciences

Introduction: In the new concept of medical education, creativity development is an important goal. The aim of this research was toidentify a model for developing critical thinking among students with the special focus on learning environment and learning style. Methods: This applied and cross-sectional study was conducted among all students studying in undergraduate and professional doctorate programs in Fall Semester 2013-2014 in AJA University of Medical Sciences (N=777). The sample consisted of 257 students selected based on the proportional stratified random sampling method. To collect data, three questionnaires including Critical Thinking, Perception of Learning Environment and Learning Style were employed. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation statistical test, and one-sample t-test. The Structural Equation Model (SEM) was used to test the research model. SPSS software, version 14 and the LISREL software were used for data analysis. Results: The results showed that students had significantly assessed the teaching-learning environment and two components of “perception of teachers” and “perception of emotionalpsychological climate” at the desirable level (p<0.05). Also learning style and two components of “the study method” and “motivation for studying” were considered significantly desirable (p<0.05). The level of critical thinking among students in terms of components of “commitment”, “creativity” and “cognitive maturity” was at the relatively desirable level (p<0.05). In addition, perception of the learning environment can impact the critical thinking through learning style. Conclusion: One of the factors which can significantly impact the quality improvement of the teaching and learning process in AJA University of Medical Sciences is to develop critical thinking among learners. This issue requires providing the proper situation for teaching and learning critical thinking in the educational environment

Cost-benefit analysis of Intensive Care Unit with Activity-Based Costing approach in the era COVID-19 pandemic: A case study from Iran.

BackgroundProviding intensive care to acute patients is a vital part of health systems. However, the high cost of Intensive Care Units (ICU) has limited their development, especially in low-income countries. Due to the increasing need for intensive care and limited resources, ICU cost management is important. This study aimed to analyze the cost-benefit of ICU during COVID-19 in Tehran, Iran.MethodsThis cross-sectional study is an economic evaluation of health interventions. The study was conducted in the COVID-19 dedicated ICU, from the provider's point of view and within one-year horizon. Costs were calculated using a top-down approach and the Activity-Based Costing technique. Benefits were extracted from the hospital's HIS system. Benefit Cost ratio (BCR) and Net Present Value (NPV) indexes were used for cost-benefit analysis (CBA). A sensitivity analysis was performed to evaluate the dependence of the CBA results on the uncertainties in the cost data. Analysis was performed with Excel and STATA software.ResultsThe studied ICU had 43 personnel, 14 active beds, a 77% bed occupancy rate, and 3959 occupied bed days. The total costs were $2,372,125.46 USD, of which 70.3$1,213,314.13 USD. NPV and BCR were obtained as $-1,158,811.32 USD and 0.511 respectively.ConclusionDespite operating with a relatively high capacity, ICU has had high losses during the COVID-19. Proper management and re-planning in the structure of human resources is recommended due to its importance in the hospital economy, provision of resources based on needs assessment, improvement of drugs management, reduction of insurance deductions in order to reduce costs and improve ICU productivity

Equity in Distribution of Health Care Resources; Assessment of Need and Access, Using Three Practical Indicators

Background: Equitable distribution of health system resources has been a serious challenge for long ago among the health policy makers. Conducted studies have mostly ever had emphasis on equality rather than equity. In this paper we have attempted to examine both equality and equity in resources distribution. Method: This is an applied and descriptive study in which we plotted Lorenz and concentration curves to describe graphically the distribution of hemodialysis beds and nephrologists as two complementary resources in health care in relation to hemodialysis patients. To end this, inequality and inequity were measured by calculating Gini- coefficient, concentration and Robin Hood indices. We used STATA and EXCEL software to calculate indicators. Results: The results showed that inequality was not seen in hemodialysis beds in population level. However, distribu-tion of nephrologists without considering population needs was accompanied with some sort of inequality. Gini- coefficient for beds and nephrologists distribution in population level was respectively 0.02 and 0.38. Hence, calcu-lation of concentration index for distribution of hemodialysis beds and nephrologists with regard to population needs indicated that unlike beds distribution, equity gap between nephrologists distribution against patients distri-bution among the provinces was considerably significant again. Conclusion: Our results imply that although hemodialysis beds in Iran have been distributed in connection with the population need, nephrologists’ distribution is not the same as hemodialysis beds one and this imbalance in comple-mentary resources, can affect both efficiency and equitable access to services for population

Structure of Pre-Hospital Rapid Response Teams to Chemical, Biological, Radiation and Nuclear Accidents in Iran, A Qualitative Study

Background and Aim: The field of pre-hospital rapid response teams is facing major challenges in the field of chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear accidents. Considering that the country of Iran is exposed to the occurrence of these incidents, the possibility of the danger of these incidents and threats cannot be ignored. This study was conducted with the aim of determining effective factors in the formation of pre-hospital rapid response teams in the field of health in response to CBRN accidents. Materials and Methods: the current study is qualitative research with a content analysis approach; which was conducted using semi-structured in-depth interviews with 18 specialists and experts through purposive and snowball sampling. Sampling was done until data saturation. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze the data. The study aimed to extract effective factors in the formation of pre-hospital rapid response teams in the field of health in response to chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear accidents in Iran in 2022. Results: The factors affecting the formation of the team were divided into 5 main classes and 5 subgroups including capacity building (Education, training), operational requirements (information and communication, command and control, emergency response operational plan, internal and external coordination), required resources (equipment, financing), team formation requirements (decontamination requirements, structural requirements) and team formation structure (general team composition, specialized team composition). The highest number of codes with 39% was related to the emergency response operational plan subcategory and the lowest number of codes with 8% was related to the equipment subcategory. Conclusion: This study presented the design of the local pre-hospital rapid response team in the field of health in chemical, biological, radiation and nuclear accidents in Iran. This plan is for quick pre-hospital response to attend and intervene in the acute phase of these incidents. In order to increase the response capacity and capability of these teams, in addition to the general composition of the team, in order to improve the specialized preparation to deal with the health effects of these incidents, a specialized composition has also been provided. It is suggested; A separate team should be formed for each CBRN area based on the risk assessment of the offending areas of the country