A professor at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences emphasized that the successful implementation of the Family Physician Program in Iran depends on the active participation of the private healthcare sector, noting that the majority of outpatient services in the country are delivered by private providers.
According to the Public Relations Office of the Iranian Society of Pediatricians, citing Mehr News Agency, Dr. Nasser Kalantari made these remarks during a meeting of the Iranian Society of Pediatricians attended by the presidents of the country’s pediatric scientific associations. He highlighted the challenges facing the implementation of the Family Physician Program and stressed the need to revise its implementation strategy while making full use of the capacities of the private sector.
Dr. Kalantari stated that one of the major challenges of the Family Physician Program is the failure to adequately recognize the role of the private healthcare sector. “Considering that a substantial proportion of outpatient healthcare services in Iran are provided by private practitioners and institutions, it is not feasible to design an effective referral system and Family Physician Program without incorporating this important capacity,” he said.
He further noted that successful Family Physician models implemented in other countries should be adapted to the specific characteristics of Iran’s healthcare system. “Implementing these models without considering the existing healthcare infrastructure and available national capacities may lead to operational challenges and reduced program effectiveness,” he added.
Referring to previous proposals for the Family Physician Program, Dr. Kalantari explained that one proposed model allowed general practitioners, internists, and pediatricians to serve as family physicians responsible for defined populations. However, this proposal was never implemented.
The pediatric specialist also emphasized the importance of involving scientific associations in healthcare policymaking, stating that improving and refining the Family Physician Program requires the active participation of scientific societies, medical universities, and experts in the field. He stressed that policy decisions should be based on scientific evidence, field research, and the country’s practical experience.
Dr. Kalantari also referred to Iran’s experience with the rural health insurance program, noting that some studies found many rural residents bypassed the official referral system and preferred to seek medical care directly. According to him, these findings demonstrate that the referral system should be designed based on the actual healthcare needs, behaviors, and realities of the population.
He concluded that any reform of the healthcare system must take into account the existing infrastructure, the capacities of the private sector, and evidence generated through applied research. “The success of the Family Physician Program in Iran depends on strengthening healthcare infrastructure, conducting applied research, engaging the private sector, and designing models that are tailored to the specific characteristics of the Iranian healthcare system,” he said.
