Document Type : Original Article
Authors
- Hafaseh Zaree 1
- Abolfazl Raeyat Mohtashami 2
- Fatemeh Asgari 3
- Ali Janati 4
- Mahtab Nikpour 1
- Masoumeh Gholizadeh 4
1 Student Research Committee, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
2 Student Research Committee, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran
3 Trauma Nursing Research Center, Kashan University of Medical Sciences, Kashan, Iran
4 Iranian Center of Excellence in Health Management (IceHM), Department of Health Service Management, School of Management and Medical Informatics, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran
Abstract
Background: Hospital-to-home transitional care can reduce readmissions and improve patient outcomes, but implementation barriers differ across health systems. Understanding system-level requirements in low- and middle-income countries contexts is essential to inform feasible policy and implementation strategies. This study explored key requirements for effective hospital-to-home transitional care from the perspectives of healthcare stakeholders in Iran a representative of this health system.
Methods: This qualitative study used a conventional content analysis approach based on Granheim and Lundman’s method. The purposeful selection of a diverse group of stakeholders, including healthcare managers, physicians, nurses, and health policy officials, was made. The data was collected via 15 semi-structured interviews and was subjected to a detailed analysis.
Results: Four key themes were determined in the analysis: process, infrastructure, motivational, and regulatory requirements, which included 14 subthemes. Key subthemes included the need for integrated care models, robust health information systems, broader insurance coverage, and effective regulatory mechanisms.
Conclusion: The findings show that a multidimensional approach is necessary to be applied in effective hospital-to-home transitional care in Iran, including holistic policymaking, development of infrastructure, specialized human resources, and intersectoral coordination. These insights can inform future health policy and implementation strategies in similar low- and middle-income countries settings.
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