Identification and Evaluation of Problems of Medical Community in Iran: The Research-Scientific Based Strategy of Journal of Mashhad Medical Council

Publication of articles about problems and setbacks against medical careers has been of less interest in Iran. The aim of this study was to present the viewpoints of medical experts about the journal format, contents and quality of the articles that will be published in the Journal of Mashhad Medical Council.

This descriptive qualitative study was conducted during a meeting in May 2013. A focus group comprised of academic staff of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences (MUMS) and members of the Medical Council of Mashhad (MMC) participated in this meeting. The participants presented their views with lectures and also wrote their views by answering to a pre-designed questionnaire.

In total, opinions of 45 medical experts were collected. 85% of participants were male with a mean (SD) age of 49 (7) years old. 76% of the participants were academic staff of MUMS. Participant's opinions were categorized in two areas: (a) the structure of the journal, (b) the scope of the journal. For improvement of the journal structure, using professional editorial team, reducing printing costs, establishment of the journal website (22%), obtaining feedback of the MMC members (22%), and publication of scientific articles (22%) were the most frequent recommendations. Most recommended topics for the articles were: teaching medico-legal laws (60%), providing practical and educational articles about medical professionalism (56%), and educating medical ethics (31%).

Medical careers are involved with high loads of work. Hence, they have less time to read and update themselves about their job related issues including medico-legal issues. They may also be less updated about new findings in medical science. Journal of Mashhad Medical Council should work as a scientific platform with collaboration of medical staffs and MMC members to disseminate necessary knowledge for medical community. Furthermore, it should address occupational problems of medical community with research-based perspective.