Purpose To identify the predictors of nurses’ presence at hospitals at the time of three types of disasters. Design This cross‐sectional study was performed using a researcher‐generated questionnaire. Methods This study was performed on 350 nurses of five public hospitals. Data was collected using a questionnaire in which the respondents were asked about their decisions on reporting for work in the event of three scenarios: epidemic of an unknown contagious respiratory disease, earthquake, and flood. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the data. Findings The four predictors of nurses reporting for work include receiving trainings on disasters, and concerns on the non‐compensation for providing services following the disaster, concerns about family safety and workplace safety. Conclusion Although slightly different factors affect the willingness of participants to report for work in each scenario, they can be put in two main categories; namely as personal and impersonal. Devising a family disaster plan and providing educational programs on self‐care are two main strategies to increase the chances of presence at work following disasters. Clinical relevance The presence of more nurses in the hospital at the time of disasters can significantly improve the quality of care, and clinical outcomes of patients and disaster victims.

Background: Self-medication is a common phenomenon around the world which brings advantages and disadvantages to ones’ health and the health system. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and causes of self-medication among the students of a medical university in Iran. Methods: The present study was designed as a descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study that examined the knowledge, attitude and practice. The population of the study was the students of health sciences program who all entered the study. The data collection tool included a checklist and a questionnaire that was designed online and made available to students. Results: The prevalence of self-medication among students was 20-25%. The most common reason for self-medication was that in their opinion their medicines were safe (66.67%). The most common form of medication used was the tablet (35.67%), the most commonly used drug was acetaminophen (69.01%) and the most common disease to self-medicate for was headache (67.36%). Estimation of the odds ratio of self-medication with medication and its relationship with demographic variables showed no relationship between gender and marital status with self-medication. Among those surveyed, 17.17% had no insurance; 47.9% of students stated that lack of insurance was the reason for their self-medication. Conclusion: Although self-medication may be helpful, it is often without proper guidance and logic and can carry various risks that can be controlled. Considering that health students will be influential in society in future, it is necessary to pay more attention to correct their culture of drug use, and provide access to health services for everyone. Appropriate prescriptions of medicines as well as controlling the sale of drugs in pharmacies and highlighting the role of pharmacists in safe self-medication and controlling the prevalence of self-medication are necessary.

BACKGROUND: Crises are often unavoidable events that occur around the world. Hospitals play an important role in treating patients and preventing extensive injuries in times of crisis, requiring adequate preparedness. In order to design a proper planning system, it is essential to be aware of the challenges of hospitals during a crisis. The purpose of this study was to explain the challenges of hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients in the city of Mashhad, Iran, from the perspective of their managers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study employed a qualitative approach, using the method of conventional content analysis and was conducted from May to July 2020. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit the senior managers of hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients in Mashhad. The interviews were conducted face to face, with open-ended questions following an interview guide based on semi-structured questions, and continued until data saturation was reached. Data were analyzed using Atlas Ti software. RESULTS: After the implementation of the interviews, first 665 initial codes were extracted from the data, and after removing the overlapping sequences, a total of 115 codes were obtained. Three categories (organizational challenges, extra organizational challenges, and challenges related to information domain), 13 sub-categories, and 33 codes were extracted from the content analysis of the interviews. The main themes propounded in the field of challenges of COVID-19 referral hospitals in Mashhad were organizational challenges, extra organizational challenges, and information domain challenges. DISCUSSION: The results of this study showed that the hospitals admitting COVID-19 patients in Mashhad faced many challenges. To improve the quality of services in postcrisis phase, replacing hospitals' equipment, revising curriculums at medical universities, staff retraining, recruiting skilled human resources, and creating a supportive community context are necessary. CONCLUSION: For sure, the COVID-19 crisis will not be the last one, we have to be prepared for the bigger health crisis.