Owlia P¹ * (PhD) , Ghanei M² (MD)

  ¹ Molecular Microbiology Research Center (MMRC), Shahed University, and

  National Research Institute for Science policy (NRISP), Tehran, Iran

  ² Research Center of Chemical Injuries, Baqyiatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

  Received: 1 Jul 2013, Accepted: 23 Jan 2014

  Abstract

  Introduction: In recent years, Iran's scientific production growth pattern indicates a constant increase. Currently, Iran possesses the fastest growing trends in all fields of science including medical sciences in the world. This study aimed to present main achievements of Iran in the field of medical sciences, and based upon information obtained, compare the situation with high-ranked countries in the Middle Eastern and global patterns and determine appropriate strategies to promote it.

  Methods: This study was conducted in three phases: data collection, data analysis based on selected indicators, and presentation of appropriate strategies to promote science and technology production in the field of medical sciences. To collect necessary information, we used science and technology databases including Scopus, the World Bank annual report and World Health Organization (WHO). To calculate evaluation indexes of science and technology, we used the standard formulas provided by other sources. In order to provide practical solutions to improve the science and technology production in the country, we devoted special attention to strategic document's goals and plans.

  Results: At the beginning of 2013, medicine allocated the largest share of the total science production of Iran with 7015 articles (nearly 23.6%). It was approximately 22.66 percent of Middle East and 1.06 percent of world's articles published in medicine field. Studies showed that Iran's international rank at the beginning of 2012 compared to the previous year, had growth in more than 81 percent of medicine-related sub-majors and nearly 22.15% of country's science production related directly to major health problems and burden of disease in the community. Based on the foresight studies, we can predict that in case of maintaining current growth rate, Iran will achieve first place of medical sciences and health publications in the Middle East.

  Conclusion: Iran's remarkable growth in scientific productions, particularly in the applicable areas such as medicine, has created an appropriate ground in order to improve the quality of scientific productions and convert them to technology. Increasing research and educational budget and facilities, organizing research projects in line with the priorities and improving scientific productions indexing resources, are the most notable strategies for doing so.

  Key words: i ndexing, Iran, medicine, scientific production, scientometry

  Please cite this article as follows:

 Owlia P, Ghanei M. Situation of Science and Technology Production in the Field of Medical Sciences in Islamic Republic of Iran. Hakim Health Sys Res 2014 17(1): 34- 43.

  * Corresponding Author: Molecular Microbiology Research Center (MMRC), Shahed University , Tel: +98- 21- 88964792, Fax +98- 21- 88966310. E-mail: owlia@yahoo.com