Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40890651›Full record

ArticleBMC emergency medicine2025

Challenges faced by the Iranian health system in response process to terrorist explosive attacks: a descriptive phenomenology qualitative study of live experiences.

Asghar Tavan, Ahmad Mashkoori, Asiye Aminafshar, Afshin Khazaei, Sahar Salahi, Hojjat Farahmandnia

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Article in BMC emergency medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Asghar TavanHealth in Disasters and Emergencies Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Ahmad MashkooriMedical Ethics School of Health and Religion Spiritual Health Research Center, Qom University of Medical Sciences, Qom, Iran.
Asiye AminafsharStudent Research Committee, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
Afshin KhazaeiDepartment of Prehospital Emergency Medicine, Asadabad School of Medical Sciences, Asadabad, Iran.
Sahar SalahiDepartment of Nursing, Yas.C., Islamic Azad University, Yasuj, Iran. S.salahi95@iau.ac.ir.
Hojjat FarahmandniaHealth Services Management Research Center, Institute for Futures Studies in Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran. hojjat.farahmandnia@gmail.com.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionMass casualty incidents present significant challenges not only for healthcare providers and emergency service responders at the incident scene, but also for the hospitals that receive those affected. Terrorism related mass casualty incidents can lead to a diverse array of circumstances, necessitating those hospitals and their personnel be adequately prepared to manage more complex and demanding requirements. This study aimed to explore the health system challenges related to the response process to terrorist explosive bombing attacks from the perspective of Iranian health system managers and experts.

methodsThe present qualitative study employs a descriptive phenomenology approach conducted in Iran. Data were gathered through in-depth individual interviews with 16 health managers and experts, using purposive sampling. The Data analysis was conducted utilizing Colaizzi's 7-step method. To ensure the trustworthiness of the findings, the study adhered to the recommendations set forth by Lincoln and Guba.

resultsAfter multiple rounds of analyzing and summarizing the data and taking into consideration similarities and differences, 230 initial codes, 18 sub-categories, 5 categories and 2 main themes were created based on the results of data analysis. Theme 1: Intra-organizational challenges including categories of (prehospital and hospital challenges). Theme 2: Inter-organizational challenges including categories of (chain of command, insufficient security and ineffective communication and information).

conclusionThis study explored healthcare workers and managers experiences with internal and external organizational challenges in responding to terrorist explosive bombing attacks. Findings reveal that such incidents pose unique demands distinct from other emergencies, requiring tailored preparedness strategies, especially in prehospital, hospital, and logistical sectors, despite existing general disaster plans. An effective response needs multisectoral collaboration with security forces and aid organizations. The presentation of real-world insights can inform targeted preparedness programs for high-risk, chaotic terrorist scenarios. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

Disaster PlanningEmergency Service, HospitalExplosionsHospital AdministrationMass Casualty IncidentsTerrorismBombsEmergency Medical ServicesHumansInterviews as TopicIranQualitative ResearchExplosiveHealth systemPhenomenologyResponseTerrorist attacks

Identifiers

PMID40890651
PMCPMC12403913

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.