Volume 8, Issue 1 (Spring 2025)
Iran J Health Insur 2025, 8(1): 17-34 |
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Tofighi S, Shojaei S. Identifying and Classifying Types of Health Service Delivery Centers: A Scoping Review. Iran J Health Insur 2025; 8 (1) :17-34
URL: http://journal.ihio.gov.ir/article-1-366-en.html
URL: http://journal.ihio.gov.ir/article-1-366-en.html
1- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran & Department of Future Studies and Theory Building, Iranian Academy of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2- Iranian Health Management Scientific Association, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran ,saharshojaei1403@gmail.com
2- Iranian Health Management Scientific Association, Ministry of Health and Medical Education, Tehran, Iran ,
Abstract: (1048 Views)
Introduction: Health care facilities – from primary care centers to tertiary hospitals and community-based units – enhance quality, access and equity. Many countries strategically use this diversity to control costs and strengthen preventive and post-hospital care. In Iran, the lack of use of primary/community and pre-hospital and post-hospital facilities has increased the financial burden on the health system and insurers and has caused inequalities in access. This study aims to identify the types of health care facilities and analyze their structural/functional characteristics and determine policy gaps in the Iranian service delivery model.
Methods: A domain review was conducted within the Arksey & O’Malley framework. Taxonomy of Health Care and Health Facilities entries from medical subject headings and non-MeSH terms was identified, based on which systematic searches of PubMed and international institution websites (2020-2025) were conducted. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The facilities were categorized based on the scope of services and target population. A conceptual diagram of the patient flow in the health system and a comparative table were prepared.
Results: At least 27 types of health facilities were placed into 6 categories. Naming conventions and functional roles varied across countries. Iran relies heavily on hospitals and has a limited pre- and post-hospital care infrastructure.
Conclusion: The structural categorization of health facilities enables policy reform and efficient allocation of resources. Rebuilding the Iranian model—by strengthening primary care, activating referral pathways, and promoting community-based and pre- and post-hospital services—is essential to reduce costs, improve equity, and increase system performance.
Methods: A domain review was conducted within the Arksey & O’Malley framework. Taxonomy of Health Care and Health Facilities entries from medical subject headings and non-MeSH terms was identified, based on which systematic searches of PubMed and international institution websites (2020-2025) were conducted. Two independent reviewers extracted the data. The facilities were categorized based on the scope of services and target population. A conceptual diagram of the patient flow in the health system and a comparative table were prepared.
Results: At least 27 types of health facilities were placed into 6 categories. Naming conventions and functional roles varied across countries. Iran relies heavily on hospitals and has a limited pre- and post-hospital care infrastructure.
Conclusion: The structural categorization of health facilities enables policy reform and efficient allocation of resources. Rebuilding the Iranian model—by strengthening primary care, activating referral pathways, and promoting community-based and pre- and post-hospital services—is essential to reduce costs, improve equity, and increase system performance.
Keywords: Health Facilities, Primary Health Care, Patient Flow, Patient Referral, Health Policy
Citation
Type of Study: Review Article |
Subject:
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Received: 2025/02/18 | Revised: 2025/08/10 | Accepted: 2025/04/28 | ePublished: 2025/06/18
Received: 2025/02/18 | Revised: 2025/08/10 | Accepted: 2025/04/28 | ePublished: 2025/06/18
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