Necessary Requirements for Implementation of Financial Reform in the Iranian Health Sector

Abstract

Background: A four-step map of financial reform in Iranian health sector has been proposed with the aim of increasing efficiency and resource allocation. Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the necessary requirements to establish the three last phases of this reform in Iran, during year 2015. Methods: A qualitative study in the form of framework analysis approach was conducted. An interview guide was used for interviewing 22 purposefully selected experts individually in a semi-structured format and data were saturated at this level. Data were analyzed using five-stage method of framework analysis (familiarization, identifying a thematic framework, indexing, charting and mapping, and interpretation) using the Atlas Ti software, by two experts with no conflicts of interest. Results: Six main themes and 18 sub-themes were extracted that introduced six groups of requirements including economic, functional, legal, organizational, informational, and educational, as the most vital needs for conducting financial reform in the Iranian health system. Conclusions: Findings showed that there are numerous problems with conducting financial reform despite spending a decade after its implementation in the Iranian health system. Therefore, the current results as well as planning to recognize and promote the modifiable parts in this field might be beneficial for policy-makers of the country to make a definite plan for revising this process with drafting a long-term perspective and a tailored context for complete and successful executing.