Mahmood Nekoei Moghadam1, Mohammadreza Amiresmaili2, Vahideh Sadeghi3, Ali-Hossein Zeinalzadeh4, Mahmud Tupchi5, Sahar Parva2. 1. Health Services Management, Research Center for Health Services Management, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 2. Department of Health Management, Economics and Policy, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. 3. Health Services Management, Department of Health Services Management, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 4. Preventive and Community Medicine Specialist, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran. 5. Management of System and Productivity, Alghadir Institute of Higher Education, Tabriz, Iran.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: According to World Bank Group report, while Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Iran were appropriate to the needs of the population in the late 1970s and 1980s, the changing burden of diseases and shifting demand patterns have rendered the existing PHC system no longer suitable to meet current and emergent needs. Based on previous studies, one of the main PHC challenges in Iran relates to human resources issues. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2012 at 3 scales of local (Tabriz city), provincial (East Azerbaijan), and national levels. Two qualitative methods were used in the study: free-focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Framework analysis was used to analyze collected data. Categories of analysis were developed using framework analysis approach, and main themes were emerged. RESULTS: Four themes were developed and finalized out of focus group discussions and interviews: availability of health workers in PHC, competency, PHC health workers' motivation, and PHC managerial issues. CONCLUSION: Based on findings and issues discovered in this study, several suggestions can be made, including development, implementation, and evaluation of needs assessment strategies for various vocational posts, promotion of educational courses and PHC-based training, strengthening of relationships and coordination between practical and scientific bodies, application of incentive programs in PHC, and strengthening of system management capacity through use of qualified managers.
BACKGROUND: According to World Bank Group report, while Primary Health Care (PHC) services in Iran were appropriate to the needs of the population in the late 1970s and 1980s, the changing burden of diseases and shifting demand patterns have rendered the existing PHC system no longer suitable to meet current and emergent needs. Based on previous studies, one of the main PHC challenges in Iran relates to human resources issues. METHODS: This study was conducted in 2012 at 3 scales of local (Tabriz city), provincial (East Azerbaijan), and national levels. Two qualitative methods were used in the study: free-focus group discussions and in-depth interviews. Framework analysis was used to analyze collected data. Categories of analysis were developed using framework analysis approach, and main themes were emerged. RESULTS: Four themes were developed and finalized out of focus group discussions and interviews: availability of health workers in PHC, competency, PHC health workers' motivation, and PHC managerial issues. CONCLUSION: Based on findings and issues discovered in this study, several suggestions can be made, including development, implementation, and evaluation of needs assessment strategies for various vocational posts, promotion of educational courses and PHC-based training, strengthening of relationships and coordination between practical and scientific bodies, application of incentive programs in PHC, and strengthening of system management capacity through use of qualified managers.
Authors: Ehsan Zarei; Fariba Ahmadi; Muhammad Safdar Sial; Jinsoo Hwang; Phung Anh Thu; Sardar Muhammad Usman Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-06-25 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Mostafa Farahbakhsh; Homayoun Sadeghi Bazargani; Mohammad Saadati; Jafar Sadegh Tabrizi; Mina Golestani; Akram Zakery Journal: Fam Med Community Health Date: 2019-01-24