Persian medicine information needs of general practitioners in Isfahan city

Introduction: To improve the capabilities of general practitioners (GPs), who constitute an essential segment of the healthcare system in Iran, it is necessary to identify their information needs about Persian medicine. This survey-based study aimed primarily to determine the information needs of GPs in Isfahan city about Persian medicine, and secondarily to evaluate the assocaition between their workshop attendance and information needs. Methods: This applied study employed a descriptive survey research method. The research population consisted of all GPs in Isfahan city, out of which a sample of 204 participants was selected using stratified random sampling. The data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire, containing seven different domains related to Persian medicine. The questionnaire was distributed among the participants after its validity, content, and reliability were confirmed. All descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 21. Results: A total of 177 GPs completed the questionnaire. The mean information need score was found to be highest for the domain of nutritional substances (72.2) and lowest for the domain of treatment measures (61.7). There was no significant relationship between the participants’ information needs and their age, work experience, gender, and employment status. However, variables such as previous participation in Persian medicine workshops and the desire to participate in future workshops exhibited a significant relationship with information needs. Conclusion: Responsible officials at the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education (such as the deputies for public health and curative affairs) and traditional medicine specialized groups should periodically hold training workshops to meet GPs’ information needs. It is also necessary to repeat retraining courses for GPs at regular intervals.