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Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of nonmedical use of methylphenidate and the attitude toward this use in residents of clinical specialties of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Methods: Two hundred and forty residents of clinical specialties (88 women) were selected using convenient sampling from Rasul Akram and Firouzgar Hospitals. The sample responded to a modified version of the Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST), as well as a questionnaire of attitude toward methylphenidate use. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and chi square test. Results: The lifetime, one year, and one month prevalence of methylphenidate use in the sample was 48%, 23%, and 6.6%, respectively. The prevalence was significantly higher in men than in women (2=13.16 p<0.01). The main reason for the use of methylphenidate was getting prepared for the residency exam. Twenty percent of the residents had a positive and 40% had a negative attitude toward methylphenidate use. Conclusion: Nonmedical use of methylphenidate is high among residents of different specialties and many of them did not have a negative attitude toward nonmedical use of methylphenidate.

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  Objectives : The aim of this study was to pilot implementation of the code of conduct for the children and adolescents in a child and adolescent psychiatric center. Method: The present quasi-experimental and prospective study was carried out in child psychiatric ward and clinic of Imam Hossien Hospital, Tehran, Iran, in two six-month phases. The first phase included the research executive-educational strategy and during the second phase the code of conduct for the children and adolescents was implemented in the psychiatric ward and clinic. The subjects were parents of children referred to child psychiatry clinic and ward. The used questionnaire was extracted from the code of conduct for the children/ adolescents and completed by the parents. Pretest questionnaires were filled out in the first phase and prior to any intervention, and posttest questionnaires after pilot implementation of the guideline. The number of pretest (and posttest) subjects in the ward and clinic were 33 (24) and 60 (56), respectively. The data was analyzed using Chi-square and dependent and independent t-tests. Results: There was significant difference between pretest and posttest scores of the subjects referred to psychiatric ward in receiving instructive and informative booklets (p<0.001), but there was no change in the level of satisfaction for the physical conditions and facilities of the ward. In the clinic, the level of satisfaction of clients with the staffs communication behavior (p<0.01), and with the clinic conditions and facilities (p<0.001) increased in the posttest compared to the pretest. Conclusion: Some simple changes such as improving the physical conditions and facilities, and information services could increase the clients’ satisfaction. Nonetheless, changes like modifying the staff behavior, and their interaction and communication with the clients require more time, training, practice, and rehearsal .

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  Objectives : The aim of this study was to assess the validity and reliability of the Persian version of the Conners’ Adult Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) Screening Scale (screening form-self reporting). Method: The Persian version of the scale was produced through translation to Persian, back-translation and confirming the accuracy of translation. The face and content validities of translated scale were checked by four child and adolescent psychiatrists. Afterwards, 100 parents of children with ADHD were chosen using convenience sampling method. Interview with these people was performed by a child and adolescent psychiatrist. The results of interviews for detecting affection with adult’s ADHD based on Utah criteria were compared with the results of Persian version of the Conners’ Adult ADHD Screening Scale, and criterion validity was calculated. For assessment of the test-retest reliability, 30 individuals from the participants completed the scale once more after three weeks. The data were analyzed using Pearson’s and Spearman’s correlation coefficients. Results: The mean age of the studied population was 36 (SD=5) of whom 67% were women. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) for all subscales was higher than 0.7. The Cronbach’s alpha coefficient for all subscales was also higher than 0.8. The Pearson’s correlation matrix of subscales was significant (p<0.01). Also, correlation matrix of items was suitable to each other. Based on the psychiatrists’ clinical interview, 27 parents were diagnosed as having adult ADHD. In assessment of criterion validity, sensitivity and specificity of cut-off point (t score=65) were 59% and 92%, respectively, and for cut-off point of 55, sensitivity and specificity were 89% and 68%, respectively. Conclusion: By changing cut-off point from 65 to 55, the validity and reliability of the Conners’ Adult ADHD Screening Scale (screening form-self reporting) become partially suitable for Iranian population, nonetheless, its specificity criterion is not suitable.