Inputs of Iranian health system reform plan from health sector managers and policy-makers' points of view

Abstract

CONTEXT: Health system reform plan refers to conducting some fundamental, systematic, and sustainable changes. AIMS: The aim of the present study was to evaluate different required inputs of Iran Health Transformation Plan from experts' viewpoints. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: The data of this qualitative study were collected using semi-structured interviews. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The purposive sampling method led to 18 participant selection and then they were interviewed. Interviewees were assured about confidentiality of information. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: The thematic analysis method and MAXQDA software were employed for analyzing the data. RESULTS: There were 4 main themes and 35 subthemes extracted including management requirements for health development plan, human resources, information resources, and financial resources. Each theme had subthemes such as "resource allocation," "development of required standards for human resources," "human resources' motivation," "failures in IT infrastructures," "hospital information management software," "guidelines and instructions," "costs controlling," and "financing the plan". CONCLUSIONS: Results of the present study put significant emphasis on the path of improving the effectiveness and efficacy of applying the discussed inputs, which can be a light for revising past policies and taking better future steps, it also can be a resource guide for policy-makers and managers of the health-care system.