Patent information system of iranian medical universities: A need assessment research

University patent information systems can help evaluate university performance, create patenting policies, and meet researcher information demands. Since information system development is time-consuming and expensive, it is important to ensure the need for the system and include users in the process. This study aims to assess the need for Patent Information System of Iranian Medical Universities (PISIMU). In this cross-sectional descriptive study, a need assessment was conducted among the potential users of PISIMU. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to collect the required data. Descriptive and analytical statistics and the SPSS software were used for data analysis. The findings showed that both Iran's Ministry of Health and Medical Education and Iranian medical universities continuously collect information to assess university and faculty performance. The respondents thought that PISIMU was necessary for managing and providing patent information (60.4 %), evaluating university/faculty performance (84.6 %), increasing industry collaboration and investment (90.1 %), and motivating inventors to innovate (80.8 %). It is necessary to consider the users' needs and specified objectives in developing PISIMU.