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Challenges of Health System Responsiveness in Iran: A Qualitative Study
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Amjad Mohamadi-Bolbanabad    , Bakhtiar Piroozi1 , Azad Shokri , Hossein Safari , Farhad Moradpour , Hassan Mahmoodi |
| 1- , bpiroozi@gmail.com |
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Abstract: (431 Views) |
Background and Aim: The World Health Organization considers responsiveness as one of the inherent goals of health systems. Responsiveness is essential for enhancing the performance of health systems in delivering fair and accountable services while protecting citizens' rights. There is an urgent need to improve the responsiveness of these systems; however, our understanding of what responsiveness entails is limited. Therefore, we aimed to identify the challenges of responsiveness within Iran's health system.
Materials and Methods: This national qualitative study was conducted through 75 semi-structured interviews with health managers, policymakers, experts, health service providers, and recipients in 2022. Participants were selected using purposive sampling to ensure maximum diversity. The content of the interviews was analyzed through qualitative content analysis with the assistance of MAXQDA10 software.
Results: The challenges were categorized into eight themes: transparent communication, respect for patient dignity, prompt attention to patients, privacy protection, patient autonomy, choice of service provider, quality of amenities, and access to social supports.
Conclusion: Responsiveness in Iran's health system faces numerous challenges that require multifaceted interventions for resolution. Interventions, such as training health system staff, strengthening referral systems, reforming payment mechanisms, enhancing the supervisory role of the Ministry of Health and health insurance organizations, involving patients in clinical decision-making, standardizing health worker ratios relative to the population, and establishing special lines for individuals with special needs, could help address these challenges. |
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| Keywords: Responsiveness, Patient autonomy, Patient satisfaction, Iran |
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Type of Study: Original Research |
Subject:
Health Management Services
Received: 2024/05/10 | Accepted: 2024/12/22
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