Educational Needs Assessment of Family (General) Physicians Working in Rural Health Centers of Esfahan Districts in Five Domains

Background:The duty of physicians in new world is to promote health, prevent diseases and deliver primary health care. Hence there is need for physicians who are able and skilled according to the needs of society. The goal of this study is to determine the needs of general physicians working in rural health centers of Esfahan province in five health domains. Methods: In this descriptive-survey study viewpoints of 183 general physicians working in rural health centers of Esfahan province were studied. A questioner composed of two sections, demographics and 91 topics in five domains, including health education, psychological health, oral and dental health, family health, health providers training courses (Behvarzi) and also health network development was prepared. The topics were determined based on viewpoints, literature review, national and international studies and rural insurance guidelines. The determined needs were prioritized. Results: The most important educational needs of physicians in different domains are: psychological health, family health& population, health education, dental& oral health, health providers training courses and also health network development . The first priority in each domain was as follows: psychological health: drug therapy in psychiatry, family health& population: drug resistant infections in women, health education: consultation principles, oral& dental health: diet control for oral& dental health, in health network development& health providers training courses: crisis management and duties of health providers (Behvarz). Conclusion: The physicians felt that psychological health is the first educational need and health providers training courses the last one. Considering the results of physicians needs assessment, it is suggested these five domains be included into continuing educational courses for physicians to enhance the efficiency of family physician programs.