Designing a Model for Veterans' Health Services Referral System in Iran

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Department of Health Services Management, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Health Services Management, Faculty of Medical Sciences and Technologies, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

3 Department of Health Services Management, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Health Economics Policy Research Center, Tehran Medical Sciences, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

4 Department of Management, Economics and Health Policy, School of Medical Education and Management, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Background and Aim: The provision of services and referrals within the health system is an approach designed to enhance community access to health services. Veterans require specialized health and medical care due to their exposure to combat conditions and military environments. Therefore, this research aimed to study providing health services to veterans in the referral system and designing a model for the referral system of veterans' health services in Iran.
Methods: This research was conducted qualitatively using the Delphi technique in three stages. The participants consisted of fifteen experts in the features of referral systems for veterans' health services, selected through a targeted approach based on the snowball method.
Results: The results indicate that several factors influence the referral system for veterans' health services. These include information technology and electronic infrastructure, legal and policy considerations, geographic and demographic factors, effective management and resource allocation, performance monitoring of the referral system, as well as cultural development and education.
Conclusion: Effective planning and cultural development should be implemented in the veterans' health referral system. Policymakers involved in urban family programs should focus on health system policymaking and the structure of the insurance system. Additionally, there must be proper coordination between primary care and specialized care within the veterans' health referral system.

Keywords

Journal of Military Medicine
Volume 27, Issue 1 - Serial Number 131
May and June 2025
Pages 2668-2676

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