Damari B * 1 (MD), Vosoogh Moghaddam A² (MD-FFPH), Monazzam K³ (MD), Salarianzadeh H⁴ (MD-MPH)

  1 Department of Social Determinant of Health , National Institute of Health Research, Tehran University of Medical Science and Health Services, Tehran, Iran

  2 Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

  3 Office for health standards, tariff and technology assessment,   Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

    4 Undersecretary for Management Development and Resources, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran

  Received: 17 Jul 2010, Accepted: 22 Dec 2010

  Abstract :

  Introduction: Complexity of Health System along with importance of evidence based policy making implies the health policy system to be based on reasonable characteristics and measures. The goal of the current study was to respond to the question of where and how to make wise policies for health.

  Method : This is a qualitative study based on in-depth structured interviews and purposeful sampling. The interviewees were 12 persons including: 2 ex-health ministers, 2 parliamentarians (members of Commission for Health), 2 ex-deputy health ministers and 6 national health experts. Data were collected, stratified and analyzed in 3 main themes, namely "policymaking problems", "functions of the health policy making system" and the "requirements for policy support unit", to shape the conceptual frame work.

  Results : Regarding the content analysis of the interviews, characteristics of a reasonable health policy making system were summarized in having seven principles, namely: “stakeholders' participation”, “social accountability”, “securing of implementation”, “meritocracy”, “sustainability in positions”, “being evidence based” and “ability for coordination and collaboration”. The interviewees have proposed several customized solutions to cope with each of the seven principles as well.

  Conclusion: All seven items mentioned by the interviewees are quite consistent with the health policy making cycle. In spite of all controversies on the location of the health policy support unit within the health sector, one can conclude that taking all the aforementioned principles into full consideration while designing and implementing the policy making system for health would assist the health system to attain the country’s 20-year vision in the health sector.

  Key words: Health Policy Health Policy Making System Qualitative research

  Hakim Research Journal 2011 13(4): 210- 218.

  * Corresponding Author: National Institute of Health Research, No 78, Italia Ave, Tehran, Iran. Telefax: +98- 21- 88991107 , Email: bdamari@gmail.com