Investigating the Effective Factors on the Acceptance of Teleorthodontic Technology Based on the Technology Acceptance Model 3 (TAM3).

Statement of the Problem: Health information technology is used in dentistry worldwide. Despite the limited specialized resources for providing orthodontic treatment in Iran, the need to examine the technology acceptance model (TAM) seems necessary and is a significant step in the successful acceptance of teleorthodontic technology. Purpose: The present study has identified and investigated the factors affecting the acceptance of teleorthodontic technology among orthodontists based on the TAM3 with the aim of successful implementation and deployment of this technology. Materials and Method: In this descriptive-analytical research, 300 Iranian orthodontists who were members of the Iranian Orthodontic Association were selected by census sampling. The data was gathered through a modified and accommodated questionnaire called the acceptance model 3. The validity was confirmed. Moreover, the reliability was calculated based on Cronbach's alpha, which was equal to 0.870. Multiple linear regression analysis was also utilized to investigate the relationships between dependent, independent, and mediator variables. Besides, the final model was designed by the Amos software. Results: The results of 251 orthodontic specialists proved that subjective norm, job relevance, output quality, results in demonstrability, and job relevance on output quality could significantly affect perceived usefulness. Similarly, the perception of external control was identified to have a significant influence on perceived ease of use. On the other hand, the perceived usefulness does not play a mediating role between perception and subjective norm. Furthermore, perceived usefulness was confirmed as a mediating factor in relationship to both perceived ease of use and behavioral intention. Conclusion: The findings of the present study revealed valuable scientific evidence to identify and apply the key factors affecting the acceptance and use of modern teleorthodontic technology in Iran. Besides, the structure of the TAM3 was recognized as fruitful and worthwhile for predicting the acceptance of this new technology and also in identifying key effective factors.

Implementation of regional COVID-19 registry in Hormozgan (RCovidRH), Iran: Rationale and study protocol.

Background: The rapid outbreak of COVID-19 has resulted in a global pandemic in 2020. Information sources such as disease registries through accessing quality, valid, accurate, and timely data empower researchers and health authorities to study and develop appropriate actions. Our study describes the protocol for implementation of regional COVID-19 registry in Hormozgan province (RCovidRH). Methods: We followed approved phases for the development of RCovidRH to cover the population in Hormozgan. Missioned to develop and implement the protocol, the registry's steering committee was made up of 10 members from subject fields of the registry at the core and 5 subgroups. The main purpose of the registry is to provide a comprehensive information profile of demographic, clinical, laboratory, imaging, and treatment data of confirmed and probable COVID-19 patients in Hormozgan. The data is retrospectively and prospectively collected. Case report form (CRF) was mainly based on International Severe Acute Respiratory and Emerging Infection Consortium (ISARIC) CRF. A web-based, 2-language software was also developed to facilitate data collection and storage. Data analysis is to be conducted with collaboration of clinical physicians, data-mining specialists, and epidemiologists after reaching appropriate sample size. Results: We included data related to demographic and identification, onset and admission, signs and symptoms at hospital admission, admission signs and symptoms, comorbidities, pathogen testing, assessment, laboratory, imaging, complications, treatment and medication, and outcomes. We found this registry was limited by incomplete clinical data for small fraction of outpatients, incomplete or inaccurate address by referred people due to fear of social rejection, delay in data entry at the facilities due to workload. Conclusion: This registry via organizing clinical and epidemiological COVID-19 data increases the potentiality of joint studies. Recognition and coordination of a registry is highly important to solve its limitations to collect data. Other universities and provinces can apply our model to develop COVID-19 registries or data sets for this disease.

Factors affecting length of stay in Children Hospital in Southern Iran.

BACKGROUND: One of the effective indicators for determining the efficiency and optimal use of hospital resources is the length of stay (LOS). This study aimed to determine the patients' length of stay and the factors affecting the LOS in the Children's hospital. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was performed on Children Hospital medical record database including 350 records (April 2015 to Dec 2015). Records were selected by stratified random sampling with proportional allocation. Then the predetermined demographic and hospital variables were extracted through the study of patients' medical records. All statistical analysis were performed using SPSS software. RESULTS: The overall median of the LOS in the studied hospital was 3 days (IQR =3). The results showed that in this hospital the LOS has a significant relationship with the variables of time of admission, the place of residence, type of admission, and the degree of attending physician. Also, with the increasing number of visits, ultrasonography, counseling and laboratory test, LOS was increased. CONCLUSION: Improving processes related to diagnostic procedures, providing adequate staffing for specialized services in all hours of the day, preventing unnecessary and non-emergency admissions in the evening and night, will be effective in optimizing patient LOS.

The design and implementation of the software tracking cervical and lumbar vertebrae in spinal fluoroscopy images.

AIM: Manual analysis of neck kinematics is usually associated with measurement errors and it requires the use of software capabilities. Considering laboratory usage, software has been developed to solve the associated problems. MATERIALS & METHODS: Fluoroscopic images taken from 78 women were used to design and evaluate the performance of the software. The software was implemented using C# language, according to the case-based reasoning technique. RESULTS: The viewpoints of experts suggest accuracy of the software in tracking and calculations, which meets their information requirements. CONCLUSION: Using the software could help physiotherapists to accomplish their work in decreased time and with improved accuracy.

Association between body mass index (BMI) and duration of pregnancy in women referred to Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas.

INTRODUCTION: Prolonged pregnancy is associated with increased risk of pregnancy complications. The role of body mass index (BMI) is not completely identified in the risk of occurrence of prolonged pregnancy. The aim of this study was to determine the association between BMI and duration of pregnancy in woman referred to the Shariati Maternity Hospital in Bandar Abbas (Hormozgan Province, Iran). METHODS: This cross-sectional study was carried out on 1100 pregnant women referred to the Shariati Hospital in Bandar Abbas in 2015. Gestational age determined by last menstrual period (LMP) or first-trimester ultra-sonography. The women were divided into two groups of less than 40 weeks of gestation and more than 40 weeks of gestation. The women were divided based on their BMI at the first trimester of pregnancy into four groups, including less than normal, normal, overweight, and excess weight. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Mann-Whitney test, and chi-square test by SPSS version 16.0. RESULTS: The average age of mothers studied was 23 ± 4.30 years. Average of gestational age was 39 ± 1.85 weeks. Among the study participants 1020 (92.7%) had term pregnancies, 53 (4.8%) had preterm pregnancies, and 27 (2.5%) had post-term pregnancies. Also among the study participants, 40% had a BMI less than 19.8 kg/m2, 45.9% had BMI between 19.8 and 26 kg/m2, and 9.8% had BMI between 26.1 and 29 kg/m2, and 4.3% had BMI less than 29 kg/m2. Mean BMI was 20.95 ± 4.02 for women with gestational age of equal to or less than 40 weeks and 23.34 ± 4.52 for women with gestational age of more than 40 weeks. Duration of pregnancy was significantly higher in women with higher BMI at the first trimester (p<0.00006). CONCLUSION: High BMI of a mother in the first trimester of pregnancy is associated with prolonged pregnancy and may increase the risk of post-term pregnancy. Women are recommended to reach an ideal weight before pregnancy to decrease the risk of the pregnancy complications.

Health Information Management System for Elderly Health Sector: A Qualitative Study in Iran.

BACKGROUND: There are increasing change and development of information in healthcare systems. Given the increase in aging population, managers are in need of true and timely information when making decision. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to investigate the current status of the health information management system for the elderly health sector in Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This qualitative study was conducted in two steps. In the first step, required documents for administrative managers were collected using the data gathering form and observed and reviewed by the researcher. In the second step, using an interview guide, the required information was gathered through interviewing experts and faculty members. The convenience, purposeful and snowball sampling methods were applied to select interviewees and the sampling continued until reaching the data saturation point. Finally, notes and interviews were transcribed and content analysis was used to analyze them. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that there was a health information management system for the elderly health sector in Iran. However, in all primary health care centers the documentation of data was done manually; the data flow was not automated; and the analysis and reporting of data are also manually. Eventually, decision makers are provided with delayed information. CONCLUSIONS: It is suggested that the steward of health in Iran, the ministry of health, develops an appropriate infrastructure and finally puts a high priority on the implementation of the health information management system for elderly health sector in Iran.

The Comparison of the Minimum Data Set for Elderly Health in Selected Countries.

INTRODUCTION: Ongoing increase in the elderly population in many developed countries has drawn attention to health of this age group. Recording adequate and relevant data for the elderly is considered as the basis for future planning for this segment of society. So this study was conducted to compare minimum data about elderly health in selected countries. METHODS: This review study was conducted through Internet and library studies. Key words were extracted from search engines and data bases including Google, Yahoo, Google Scholar, PubMed, ProQuest and Iranian National Medical Digital Library. Inclusion criteria included English language with no time limits. All articles, research projects, theses, guidelines and progress reports were retrieved from the United States, Sweden, Japan and Iran and reviewed. Also, websites of organizations responsible for elderly health in selected countries were visited and their documents were reviewed. Results from this search were provided narratively and finally were presented within comparison tables. FINDINGS: The findings of this study showed that elderly data in the selected countries are collected around four axis including minimum demographic data, medical histories, health assessment and financial data of elderly health. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Given the importance of the minimum data set of elderly health for future planning, the use of experiences of leading countries in elderly health seems necessary; however, localization of it according to the country's needs is inevitable.

The Effect of Educational Intervention on Medical Diagnosis Recording among Residents.

INTRODUCTION: Studies indicate that using interventions including education may improve medical record documentation and decrease incomplete files. Since physicians play a crucial role in medical record documentation, the researchers intend to examine the effect of educational intervention on physicians' performance and knowledge about principles of medical diagnosis recording among residents in Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences(HUMS). METHODS: This quasi-experimental study was conducted in 2010 on 40 specialty residents (from internal medicine, obstetrics and gynecology, pediatrics, anesthesiology and surgery specialties) in Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences. During a workshop, guidelines for recording diagnostic information related to given specialty were taught. Before and after the intervention, five medical records from each resident were selected to assess physician performance about chart documentation. Using a questionnaire, physicians' knowledge was investigated before and after intervention. Data were analyzed through one-way ANOVA test. RESULTS: Change in physicians' knowledge before and after education was not statistically significant (p = 0.15). Residents' behavior did not have statistically significant changes during three phases of the study. CONCLUSION: Diversity of related factors which contributes to the quality of documentation compels portfolio of strategies to enhance medical charting. Employing combination of best practice efforts including educating physicians from the beginning of internship and applying targeted strategy focus on problematic areas and existing gap may enhance physicians' behavior about chart documentation.