ArticleCost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E2024
Identifying and prioritizing inefficiency causes in Iran's health system.
Article in Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.
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Who cites it
7 citing papers in PubMed.
- A qualitative study of stakeholders' perceptions towards the implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Zambia: equity and financial sustainability in question.Health policy and planning · 2026Article
- The Burden of Urticaria in the Middle East and North Africa Region From 1990 to 2021: A Systematic Analysis Based on the GBD Study 2021.Health science reports · 2026Article
- A hybrid AHP and K-means model for biopsychosocial surgical prioritization: validation in a high-complexity ENT unit.Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil) · 2026Article
- Strategic health policy priorities for health technology assessment development in Iran.Journal of preventive medicine and hygiene · 2026Article
- Willingness to pay for a quality-adjusted life year in Iran: a systematic review.Cost effectiveness and resource allocation : C/E · 2026Review
- Understanding challenges of primary healthcare financial resource allocation in Iran.Health research policy and systems · 2025Article
- Social network analysis of key stakeholders in Brucellosis prevention in Western Iran.Tropical medicine and health · 2025Article
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Authors and funding
8 authors.
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Abstract
backgroundEnhancing efficiency is crucial in addressing the escalating scarcity of healthcare resources. It plays a pivotal role in achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC), with the ultimate goal of ensuring health equity for all. A fundamental strategy to bolster efficiency involves pinpointing the underlying causes of inefficiency within the healthcare system through empirical research. This study aimed to determine and prioritize the causes of inefficiency in Iran's health system.
methodsThis mixed-method study comprised three phases. The initial phase involved identifying the causes of inefficiency through a comprehensive literature review of relevant studies published between January 1, 2010, to January 1, 2021. The causes were then aligned and prioritized using criteria derived from the literature and expert opinion. Finally, the identified causes were ranked based on their significance using Multiple-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA).
resultsFrom an initial pool of 307 causes of inefficiency, they were reduced to 121 causes in the first round of screening which were categorized into 13 thematic topics. The second screening process further narrowed the list to 48 causes. Among these, the leading causes of inefficiency included the inadequate supply and unequal distribution of hospital beds, the overuse of health services, and the mismanagement of the health workforce. In contrast, the use of traditional treatment methods was determined to be the least significant factor contributing to inefficiency.
conclusionThis study identified key inefficiencies in Iran's health system, such as resource misallocation, overuse of services, and workforce mismanagement. Addressing these issues is essential for optimizing resource utilization, enhancing service delivery, and achieving UHC. The findings suggest that policymakers should prioritize reforms in hospital bed distribution, implement strategies to reduce unnecessary health service use, and strengthen human resource management. Additionally, targeted policies that focus on decentralizing healthcare decision-making and enhancing primary care could significantly improve system-wide efficiency. Future research should evaluate the effectiveness of these interventions and explore the role of digital health solutions in mitigating identified inefficiencies.
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