A model of financial support for the poor to access health services in Iran: Delphi technique
International Journal of Health Governance
ISSN: 2059-4631
Article publication date: 28 March 2023
Issue publication date: 23 May 2023
Abstract
Purpose
Reducing inequity in health between the poor and the rich is one of the challenges of the Iranian health sector. Access to health services in Iran is lower in the lowest-income quarter, and the rich use health services more. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive framework for enabling financial access by the poor to health services in Iran.
Design/methodology/approach
Policy options were validated and approved by experts and specialists in two stages using the Delphi technique. The sample was consisted of 22 well-known experts on the subject who were selected based on purposive sampling. To evaluate the reliability of the questionnaire, a pilot study was conducted with five participants. Dimensional validity of the policy model, which was agreed upon by more than 75% of the participants was acceptable.
Findings
The main aspects of the model were divided into five categories: identifying the poor, policymaking to prevent the aggravation of health poverty, providing targeted funding, highlighting the importance of coherent regulation and ensuring financial accessibility to health services for the poor. This model could align the activities of all stakeholders in the form of a network and considers its prerequisites.
Originality/value
Prevention of dire financial consequences in the case of referral to follow up the treatment alongside exemption and financial protection policies through the networking activities of organizations involved in this field is a crucial step in securing financial support for the poor. Although the researchers included a wide range of policymakers in the Delphi study to gather all perspectives about options for financially support the poor, there may be some potential neglected policy advices.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank the participants of this study.
Citation
Etemadi, M., Ashtarian, K. and Ganji, N. (2023), "A model of financial support for the poor to access health services in Iran: Delphi technique", International Journal of Health Governance, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 165-178. https://doi.org/10.1108/IJHG-07-2022-0071
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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