School of Para medicine
School of Para medicine, Shahroud University of Medical Sciences
Introduction
The School of Para medicine at Shahroud University of Medical Sciences (SHUMS) is dedicated to training specialized and competent professionals across various essential ancillary healthcare fields. Our commitment extends beyond basic technical proficiency; we strive to cultivate critical thinkers and problem-solvers who can seamlessly integrate into the complex dynamics of modern healthcare delivery. Our programs are meticulously designed to equip students with the comprehensive technical expertise, rigorous scientific foundation, and critical thinking skills necessary to function effectively as vital members of the multidisciplinary healthcare team. By focusing on evidence-based practice and advanced technological integration, our graduates are prepared to contribute significantly to advanced diagnostic and therapeutic services, ultimately enhancing patient outcomes across the region and beyond.
The establishment of the School reflects SHUMS's strategic dedication to strengthening the supportive infrastructure of medical services, recognizing that advanced paramedical services are indispensable cornerstones of high-quality, safe, and efficient patient care in contemporary medical settings, from the emergency room to specialized surgical theaters.
Mission
Our overarching mission is to advance the fields of paramedicine through the synergy of high-quality education, intensive practical training, and focused, relevant research. We pursue this mission through several key pillars:
Educate Specialized Professionals: We are committed to offering diverse and rigorous academic programs across disciplines that form the backbone of ancillary medical support. These programs currently include, but are not limited to:
Anesthesiology Technology
Radiology (Medical Imaging) Technology
Laboratory Sciences (Clinical Laboratory Technology)
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and related disciplines. We ensure curriculum alignment with national and international standards of practice.
Ensure Clinical Competency: A cornerstone of our pedagogy is the practical application of theoretical knowledge. We provide extensive, structured hands-on training utilizing state-of-the-art modern equipment, sophisticated clinical simulation tools (including high-fidelity mannequins and virtual reality modules), and structured clinical rotations in affiliated hospitals. This ensures that graduates achieve immediate effectiveness and professional autonomy upon entering the workforce, capable of managing complex technical scenarios.
Promote Research and Innovation: We actively foster an environment where faculty and students are encouraged to conduct applied, translational research that directly addresses clinical challenges. Key areas of focus include optimizing diagnostic protocols through technological refinement, enhancing patient safety through procedural standardization, and improving the overall technical efficiency of support services within the healthcare ecosystem. Research output is expected to contribute meaningfully to the knowledge base of paramedical sciences.
Vision
We aspire to evolve into a preeminent national center for paramedical education, skill development, and impactful research within Iran. We aim to be universally recognized for producing highly sought-after technical experts whose contributions drive continuous innovation in medical support services. Our graduates will be known for their professionalism, adaptability, and significant contribution to elevating the overall standard and quality of patient care delivery across all clinical environments they serve. We envision a future where SUMS-trained paramedical professionals are leaders in adopting and implementing new diagnostic and therapeutic technologies.
Academic Programs:
The School of Para medicine meticulously curates a range of undergraduate (B.Sc.) and postgraduate (M.Sc.) degrees. These programs are specifically tailored to address the critical support areas required by modern, technologically advanced medicine. The curriculum emphasizes a balance between core scientific principles and specialized technical proficiencies.
Undergraduate Programs (B.Sc.)
The foundational undergraduate degrees provide intensive technical training coupled with a deep understanding of human physiology, pathology, and physics as relevant to the specialization:
B.Sc. in Anesthesiology Technology: This program focuses intensely on the technical, pharmacological, and physiological support required during complex surgical procedures, pain management, and in critical care settings (ICU). Students master the operation of anesthesia delivery systems, patient monitoring equipment, and emergency resuscitation techniques. A key mathematical component involves calculating drug dosages based on patient weight and physiological parameters, often involving concentration formulas like:
[ C_1 V_1 = C_2 V_2 ] where (C) is concentration and (V) is volume, crucial for titration protocols.
B.Sc. in Radiology Technology (Medical Imaging): This program trains students in the technical operation, quality control, and safety protocols associated with advanced medical imaging modalities. Training covers X-ray physics, Computed Tomography (CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), and potentially Nuclear Medicine basics. Emphasis is placed on radiation safety, adhering to the ALARA (As Low As Reasonably Achievable) principle, and understanding image processing algorithms. Image contrast can sometimes be modeled using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvements based on exposure time (T):
[ \text{SNR} \propto \sqrt{T} ]
B.Sc. in Laboratory Sciences (Clinical Laboratory Technology): This stream prepares highly skilled experts capable of executing, validating, and interpreting a vast array of clinical and diagnostic tests across major laboratory disciplines: hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, and histopathology. Competency includes quality assurance (QA/QC) procedures and understanding the chemical and biological principles underlying assays. For chemical analyses, calibration curves often rely on Beer-Lambert Law principles relating absorbance ((A)) to concentration ((c)):
[ A = \epsilon lc ] where (\epsilon) is the molar absorptivity, (l) is the path length, and (c) is the concentration.
Postgraduate Programs (M.Sc.)
Advanced studies at the Master's level are structured to deepen theoretical knowledge, develop independent research capabilities, and foster specialized clinical mastery.
M.Sc. Programs: Specializations are typically offered in areas requiring advanced theoretical modeling and complex clinical judgment, such as:
Medical Physics: Focusing on the mathematical and physical principles underlying medical imaging and radiation therapy, including radiation dosimetry and image reconstruction algorithms.
Advanced Anesthesiology and Critical Care: Deep dive into advanced hemodynamic monitoring, complex pharmacology, and mechanical ventilation management.
Specialized Medical Imaging Techniques: Including advanced topics in MRI sequences, multi-detector CT applications, and quantitative imaging analysis. These programs often require proficiency in advanced statistics and signal processing techniques for thesis work.
Educational Facilities and Resources
The School is committed to providing a world-class learning environment, ensuring that all educational activities are supported by cutting-edge infrastructure that bridges the gap between academic knowledge and practical application.
Specialized Labs for Paramedical Sciences: Our infrastructure includes highly functional, purpose-built teaching laboratories replicating professional environments. This encompasses dedicated facilities for:
Hematology and Coagulation: Equipped with automated cell counters and coagulation analyzers for simulating high-throughput testing environments.
Biochemistry and Immunology: Featuring spectrophotometers, automated chemistry analyzers, and electrophoretic apparatus, ensuring practical experience with kinetic assays and separation techniques.
Microbiology and Pathology: Containing biosafety cabinets, high-resolution microscopes, and processing equipment for sterile culturing and tissue preparation exercises.
Simulation Centers for Anesthesia and Emergency Care: These centers are designed for immersive, high-stakes, low-consequence training. They feature:
High-Fidelity Patient Simulators: Capable of producing realistic physiological responses (e.g., heart rate variability, lung compliance changes) to interventions.
Advanced Airway Management Stations: For practicing intubation, laryngeal mask airway insertion, and mechanical ventilation initiation.
Crisis Resource Management (CRM) Training Modules: Focus is placed on effective team communication, leadership, and standardized crisis protocols, recognizing that human factors are central to patient safety in emergencies.
Radiology Training Suites: To ensure proficiency without patient risk, specialized, non-diagnostic facilities are maintained:
Imaging Simulators: Software-driven modules allowing students to practice patient positioning (centering, collimation), exposure factor selection, and viewing/archiving protocols (PACS familiarization).
Phantom Devices: Anthropomorphic phantoms are used to practice radiation delivery safety checks and measure dose distribution using TLDs (Thermo luminescent Dosimeters) to empirically calculate exposure factors based on attenuation coefficients ($\mu$).
Digital Learning and Research Hubs: Recognizing the digital nature of modern healthcare data, we provide robust technological support:
Dedicated Computer Labs: Pre-loaded with specialized analytical software for image processing (e.g., ImageJ, basic MATLAB toolboxes), laboratory data management systems (LIMS simulators), and advanced statistical packages (e.g., SPSS, R).
Access to Scholarly Resources: Comprehensive institutional subscriptions to major electronic databases (e.g., PubMed, ScienceDirect, specialized clinical guidelines repositories) ensure students and researchers remain current with the latest peer-reviewed literature and evidence-based protocols.
Research Focus
Research conducted at the School of Paramedicine is fundamentally translational, aiming to bridge the gap between fundamental scientific discovery and practical, immediate improvements in clinical and diagnostic performance. Faculty and student research activities are steered by the current operational needs of the healthcare system.
Optimization of Imaging Techniques: This research stream utilizes physics and engineering principles to refine diagnostic workflows. Specific projects may involve:
Developing novel algorithms for noise reduction in low-dose CT scans to minimize patient radiation burden while maintaining diagnostic accuracy.
Investigating the optimal pulse sequences and magnetic field homogeneity requirements for specific tissue characterization using advanced MRI sequences.
Analyzing the impact of various image acquisition parameters on quantitative measurements derived from medical images.
Development of Laboratory Standards and Automation: Research here focuses on enhancing the reliability, speed, and efficiency of clinical testing across various lab sections. This includes:
Implementing and validating new point-of-care testing (POCT) technologies against established central laboratory benchmarks.
Studying the stability and degradation kinetics of critical biological analyses under various storage conditions to refine local laboratory protocols.
Researching methods to reduce pre-analytical errors, which account for a significant portion of laboratory mistakes?
Anesthesia Safety and Postoperative Care: This area emphasizes human factors engineering, monitoring technology, and pharmacological efficacy in critical and operative environments. Research may explore:
Comparative studies on the efficacy and side effect profiles of different analgesic agents used in multimodal pain management protocols.
Evaluating the impact of advanced hemodynamic monitoring devices (e.g., advanced non-invasive cardiac output monitoring) on clinical decision-making during high-risk surgery.
Developing robust early warning scoring systems based on continuous physiological data streams to predict and prevent postoperative complications like respiratory depression or septic shock.
Contact Details
Dean : Dr. Reza Jafari
Email: jafari.r@shmu.ac.ir
Tel: 023-32395054
Address: School of Paramedicine, Shahrood University of Medical Sciences (SUMS) 7th-e-Tir Square, Shahrood, Iran