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BMC Health Services Research
Published in: BMC Health Services Research 1/2022

Open Access 01-12-2022 | Research

Challenges of the organizational structure of county health network in Iran: findings from a qualitative study

Authors: Ahmad Tahmasebi Ghorrabi, Edris Kakemam, Ehsan Moradi-Joo, Nayeb Fadaei Dehcheshmeh

Published in: BMC Health Services Research | Issue 1/2022

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Abstract

Background

Primary healthcare with the right structure is the base for any highly efficient healthcare system to achieve better health outcomes at the lowest cost. Challenges of this system, including structural weaknesses, are one of the factors of inefficiency. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to identify challenges of the organizational structure of county health network in Iran.

Methods

An exploratory qualitative face-to-face semi-structured interviews were carried out with 21 key informants including experts and managers in Ahvaz-Iran. Purposive sampling method with maximum diversity were used. Interviews were recorded digitally and transcribed verbatim. Interview transcripts were analyzed based on a thematic analysis approach via NVivo-11.

Results

In analysis of the interviews, after removing the duplicate codes and merging similar items, finally 6 main challenges and 56 sub-themes were obtained. The themes of structural challenges included formalization, complexity, centralization, culture, environment, and resources.

Conclusions

Based on the present situation, the challenges in the current organizational structure and a change in the goals and strategies of the healthcare system in Iran, the appropriate structure needs to be designed and implemented at different levels in accordance with the goals and strategies. The separation and independence of health centers management and hospitals (treatment) in the county can provide a basis for understanding the challenges to the provision of health services.
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Metadata
Title
Challenges of the organizational structure of county health network in Iran: findings from a qualitative study
Authors
Ahmad Tahmasebi Ghorrabi
Edris Kakemam
Ehsan Moradi-Joo
Nayeb Fadaei Dehcheshmeh
Publication date
01-12-2022
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
BMC Health Services Research / Issue 1/2022
Electronic ISSN: 1472-6963
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-022-08104-0

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