Hospital Practices and Research

Abstract Background: Evaluating preparedness in the health sector, particularly within hospitals, is crucial for mitigating the impact of uncontrollable disasters like chemical incidents.
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the readiness of a military hospital in Tehran to respond effectively to such emergencies.
Methods: In this study, data were collected using a standardized and validated questionnaire, specifically the Hospital Preparedness Tool for Chemical Crises, developed to assess the readiness of the selected military hospital in Tehran.
Results: According to the study's results, the overall level of preparedness at the hospital was assessed as "very good," with a total score of 119. Among the six areas examined in the selected hospital, the highest score was for the planning and guidelines area, with points (73.94%), and in the "very good" category. In contrast, the lowest score was for the risk assessment and early warning area with 7 points (70%), and in the "good" category.
Conclusion: Based on the study findings, the performance of the selected hospital in various dimensions of preparedness and response is assessed at a very favorable level. Also, the hospital has significant capabilities in improving preparedness for various events, including chemical incidents.

Abstract Background: Given the high prevalence and chronic nature of psychosomatic disorders, there is a significant need for effective and sustainable psychotherapeutic interventions.
Objectives: This research aimed to investigate the efficacy of Schema Therapy Based on Mindset (STBM) in enhancing distress tolerance among patients presenting with psychosomatic symptoms in Rasht, Ira.
Methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial followed a pre-test, post-test, and 3-month follow-up design included 30 female patients selected via convenience sampling and randomly allocated to the experimental (n = 15) or control (n = 15) group. The experimental group received eight 2-hour sessions of the STBM protocol. Data were collected using the Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) and analyzed via Repeated Measures Analysis of Variance (RMANOVA) in SPSS-27.
Results: The findings confirmed a statistically significant effect of STBM on improving overall distress tolerance (P < 0.01), with therapeutic gains successfully maintained at 3-month follow-up. The intervention specifically yielded significant improvements in the tolerance, absorption, and appraisal subscales. However, the effect on the regulation subscale was not statistically significant.
Conclusion: STBM appears to be a promising intervention for modifying maladaptive cognitive-emotional patterns. This protocol is recommended as a valuable therapeutic tool for managing psychological distress and enhancing coping mechanisms in patients with psychosomatic symptoms.

Abstract Background: Menopause represents a significant physiological and psychological transition, often accompanied by negative attitudes and considerable challenges in health adjustment.
Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of mindfulness training in improving attitudes toward menopause and health adjustment among menopausal women.
Methods: This quasi-experimental study employed a pre-test, post-test design with a control group. The statistical population included menopausal women referred to a health center in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2024. A sample of 30 eligible women aged 51-65 years was selected using convenience sampling and randomly allocated into two equal groups (experimental, n = 15; control, n = 15). The experimental group received eight 70-minute sessions of mindfulness training, while the control group was placed on a waitlist. Data were collected using the Attitudes Toward Menopause Questionnaire and the Health Adjustment subscale of the Bell Adjustment Inventory. Data were analyzed using Chi-square and Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) via SPSS 25.
Results: Initial analysis indicated no significant differences in age and educational level between the two groups (P > 0.05). The MANCOVA results showed that the mindfulness intervention significantly improved both attitudes toward menopause (η²p = 0.60) and health adjustment (η²p = 0.57) in the experimental group compared to the control group (P < 0.001), with large effect sizes.
Conclusion: The findings suggest that mindfulness training is an effective, non-pharmacological intervention for enhancing psychological resilience and improving women's adaptation during the menopausal transition. Specialists and therapists are encouraged to incorporate mindfulness protocols into women's health promotion and counseling programs.