M Haji Aghajani , H Hashemi, Aa Haghdoost, S Noori Hekmat, Gh Janbabaee, A Maher, R Rahimisadegh, S Emadi, Mr Rajabalipour, H Haghighi, R Dehnavieh, F Dehnavieh Tijang ,
Volume 13, Issue 0 (Vol.13, (Special Issue) 2018)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Iran is a large country that is often an importer of major medical equipment. There is no comprehensive databank of the status of the equipment in the country. The present study provides a clear description of the dispersal status of major medical equipment in the country in 2016 and the estimated number of required devices in 2026.
Methods: This study was conducted in 2016 in Iran. The study included 8 MRI, CT scan, gamma camera, linear accelerator, PET scan, cardiac angiography, peripheral angiography, and CT angiography devices. The data of the number of equipment in each city were collected through a census of devices.
Results: At the beginning of the year 2016, 3.5 MRI devices, 6.93 CT scans, 2.18 gamma cameras, 1.23 linear accelerators, 0.04 PET scans, 2.3 cardiac angiography devices, 0.27 peripheral angiography devices, and 0.25 CT angiography devices per million population were active in Iran. CT scan and MRI devices were the most available equipment. It is estimated that the same pattern should be maintained in 2026, but the distribution of devices as well as the total number of devices in the country should improve.
Conclusion: In 2016, for most of the devices, the proportion of the device to the population in the whole country was close to the global average, but there was a large accumulation of devices in large cities. This problem has been identified and interventions have been planned to move towards reducing inequalities In Iran's Health Roadmap.
Sahar Najafizadeh, Seyed Vahid Ahmadi Tabatabaei, Fatemeh Dehnavieh Tijang, Somayeh Noori Hekmat,
Volume 19, Issue 1 (Vol.19, No.1, Spring 2023)
Abstract
Background and Objectives: Human resources play a crucial role in delivering optimal healthcare services to the population. Expanding primary healthcare coverage requires a heightened focus on the healthcare workforce due to their pivotal role in service delivery. This study aims to evaluate the current workload and staffing requirements for primary health workers and midwives in Kerman, Iran, employing the Workload Indicators of Staffing Need (WISN) methodology.
Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in four selected health centers in Kerman, Iran, to estimate staffing requirements across two categories. A total of 118 activities for primary health workers and 89 activities for midwives were identified through the collaboration of expert panels and a comprehensive review of the Iran’s integrated health system. Subsequently, all activities were meticulously timed in each of the four health centers using stopwatches, and WISN ratios and proportions were calculated using Microsoft Excel 2010.
Results: The WISN calculations revealed a surplus in the number of primary health workers in three of the centers: B, C, and D. However, in center A, the workforce in this category is deemed sufficient. Conversely, a deficiency of midwives was noted in two centers, A and B, with WISN ratios of 0.67 and 0.50, respectively, while center C demonstrated an excess of the workforce with a WISN ratio of 2.00. Notably, an average of 50% of the staff workload in both categories comprises supportive and additional activities.
Conclusion: Interestingly, despite 75% of the cases indicating an excess or sufficiency of employees, staff members continue to grapple with high work pressures. This anomaly appears to be linked to the substantial volume of support and additional activities. Furthermore, the intense workload during specific days and hours translates into a pervasive sense of pressure throughout the week. As a potential remedy, introducing a queuing system into the primary healthcare sector could alleviate this issue.
