A Study of the Challenges of Family Physician Implementation in Iran Health System

Shiyani M¹ (PhD), Rashidian A² (PhD), Mohammadi A¹* (MA)

¹ Department of Social Welfare Planning, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran

² Department of Health Management and Economics. Tehran University of Medical Science. Research Center of Regional Office of World Health Organization

Original Article

Received: 15 Aug 2015, Accepted: 8 Dec 2015

Abstract

Introduction: Family physician project is one of the most significant policies in health system during the recent decade which was already supposed to be applied nationally legally, however its implementation has been limited rural areas and two provinces of Fars and Mazandaran, as pilot locations. This study was conducted to achieve a better understanding of the challenges of family physician projects implementation using the conflict theory.

Methods: The qualitative study was conducted using convenience sampling method. Data was collected using interviews and documents analysis techniques, and was analyzed using content analysis. Total number of 26 interviews were conducted with national politicians and high level executives, and key informants in family physician project.

Results: Family physician implementation challenges are identified in five main categories: challenge caused by the governing structure which affects health system, challenging nature of family physician, medicalization of management, conflict of interests, relationships among related ministries and organizations involved in family physician project.

Conclusion: A better understanding of different aspects of the family physician implementation challenges would be achieved under magnificent conflicts, tension and inconsistency among health system components. The family physician project challenges would be explained better using conflicts theory compared to the other significant medical sociology theories; however some data was beyond the conflicts theory.

Key words: Family Physician Project, Referral system, Health system, Conflict

Please cite this article as follows:

Shiyani M, Rashidian A, Mohammadi A. A Study of the Challenges of Family Physician Implementation in Iran Health System. Hakim Health Sys Res 2016; 18(4): 264- 274.