CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING STRATEGIC PURCHASING OF HEALTH SERVICES IN IRAN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Introduction: To understand the challenges of implementing strategic purchasing of health services in Iran from the viewpoints of experts, policy makers, and decision makers. Methods: In a qualitative study in 2014-15, one focus group discussion -FGD- and 21 interviewees carried out with policy makers, decision makers and experts. Experts were selected from purchaser organizations of health services in Iran health system. The content analysis method was used to analyze the data. Results: five important themes emerged after the data were analyzed, i. e., infrastructures of strategic purchasing, stakeholders of purchasing health services, payment system, package of health services, and stewardship of health system. Conclusion: along-term, well-defined plan, developed with the participation of all stakeholders, is needed for proper implementation of strategic purchasing.