Research development units in teaching hospitals: performance and strategies for improvements

Objective (s): to evaluate research development units in teaching hospitals. This was a qualitative study that was conducted at national level in Iran. We used standardize open–ended interviews and focus group discussions for data collection. Experts were selected according to their experiences; activities and cooperation levels with ministry of health and research development units. In all four main themes emerged from analysis: i) necessity of establishing clinical research development units in teaching hospitals, ii) units’ limitations, iii) organizational structure and financing, iv) strategies for improving these units. The findings indicated areas that need improvements including providing appropriate resources for these units.