Volume 37, Issue 1 (2-2023)                   Med J Islam Repub Iran 2023 | Back to browse issues page


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Heidarzadeh A, Hedayati B, Alvandi M, Rezaei M, Farrokhi B, Dadgaran I, et al . Referral System Challenges of the Family Physician Program in Iran: A Systematic Review. Med J Islam Repub Iran 2023; 37 (1) :428-438
URL: http://mjiri.iums.ac.ir/article-1-8413-en.html
Research Department, Farzanegan Nik Andish Institute for the Development of Knowledge and Technology, Tehran, Iran , r.mirkazemi@fna-research.com
Abstract:   (516 Views)
Background: Iran has implemented the Family Physician Program (FPP) in 2005 in 4 provinces. This program was supposed to be expanded across the country; however, it faced various challenges. Considering the impact of the referral system on the quality of the FPP implementation, different studies were conducted to evaluate the performance of this system. Therefore, this systematic review of the literature was conducted to investigate the challenges of the referral system of the FPP in Iran.
   Methods: All published original articles, reviews, or case studies published in English or Persian related to the challenges in the referral system FPP in Iran from 2011 to September 2022 were included in this study. International credible scholarly databases were searched. The search strategy was defined based on keywords and the search syntax.
   Results: Out of 3910 articles identified by the search strategy, considering the inclusion and exclusion criteria and relevance of the study, and accreditation of the studies, 20 studies were included. The referral system suffers from different challenges in the areas associated with policy and planning, management, referral process, and health service recipients.
   Conclusion: The inefficient gatekeeping role of family physicians was one of the most important challenges of the referral system. The referral system should be improved by having evidence-based guidelines and policy documents, unified stewardship, integrated insurance schemes, and effective communication between different levels of care.

 
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Type of Study: Systematic Review | Subject: Health System

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