Development of the Process Flowchart in Preventive and Health Promotion Clinics: The Need for Coherent, Up to Date and Community-Based Services

Abstract

Background: This investigation was initiated to critically appraise and enhance the process flowchart of preventive clinics, acknowledging the urgent necessity for services that are cohesive, contemporary, and community-centric. Objectives: The present study aimed to ensure the alignment of healthcare delivery systems with optimal protocols and dynamic societal requirements. Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, four preventive and health promotion clinics in Tehran were visited, and data were collected using a researcher-developed checklist comprising three sections with 14 criteria (from August to October 2019). Subsequently, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis was conducted to evaluate preventive services. Visio software was employed to plot the main process flowcharts. Results: The approaches of the preventive and health promotion clinics varied. In 25% of cases, health education was provided to all clients without screening seemingly healthy individuals. Half of the clinics visited had active websites, with one providing extensive educational content to the public. Only one clinic utilized specialized screening software. Ultimately, several main process flowcharts of preventive and health promotion clinics, along with tables of specific interventions for each disease by age and sex, were developed. Conclusions: The implementation of a screening approach, the use of standard protocols, and up-to-date process flowcharts in accordance with community priorities are essential for the development of prevention services.