Multi-Level Impact of Iranian Medical Research Centers: From Scholar to Society
Katayoun Falahat, Monir B. Eftekhari, Elham GhalenoeeAbstract
Background:
This study highlights the research impact of Iranian medical research centers, emphasizing projects that produced measurable effect across diverse scientific domains, and multiple levels of the health system in 2024.
Methods:
All systematically peerreviewed research projects with significant impact from Iranian medical research centers were thematically evaluated through a qualitative study and analyzed across four predefined domains and levels of impact: urban, provincial, national, and international within the specified scope.
Results:
A total of 496 research proposals were submitted by medical research centers. Following screening and peer review, 355 proposals were identified as projects with significant impact across various domains. These projects were classified to clinical sciences, biomedical sciences, and health promotion, with the largest share belonging to clinical projects. Within this domain, research on infectious diseases, cancer, and cardiovascular conditions emerged as the most prominent areas. Biomedical projects focused mainly on emerging health technologies, while health promotion emphasized medical education, health system management, and environmental health.
Conclusions:
Enhancing the impact pathways of research projects at academic, provincial, and national levels can accelerate the responsiveness of the health system in improving population health, strengthening evidencebased decisionmaking, and optimizing the delivery of health services.