Designing a tool for assessing of the Status of Urban Family Practice Program in the Cities Implementing the Program in the Tabriz University of Medical Science

Abstract

Introduction: Family practice is defined as the health care services provided by family physicians, often led by a multidisciplinary team. Assessing health programs paves the way for improvements in structures and processes for better and more accurate implementation, which yields better results.. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the status of urban family practice program in the cities implementing the program in the East Azarbaijan health deputy from the perspective of experts. Aim:This study aimed at designing a tool for assessing of the Status of Urban Family Practice Program in the Cities Implementing. Methods and Materials: This study is a multi-method study (narrative and qualitative study). To determine Indicators for evaluating the urban family medical program, which was first a literature review and then a qualitative study (interview with experts). The texts were reviewed by review. Then the indicators obtained from the review of texts and qualitative study were merged, duplicates were removed and similar cases were named with the titles most often cited in the evidence obtained. Delphi questionnaire was designed by integrating text review indicators and qualitative sessions the items of the tool were sent to about 30 experts with inclusion criteria based on the two criteria of importance and applicability and the results were collected. The indicators that had a score of 7 and above in the criteria of importance and applicability were selected The performance of two Delphi stages was finalized. Finding: In the literature review section, 20 studies were included in this study. The indicators obtained from reviewing the texts could be divided into three areas: structural, process and outcome, which was a strong focus on process indicators. nineteen experts were interviewed focusing on infrastructure, especially financing. Finally, the indicators obtained from the interview were summarized in 70 indicators after passing two Delphi rounds, and the evaluation tool was designed. Conclusion: Despite the various challenges, implementing a family medicine program can facilitate access to services, especially in the suburbs. In this regard, it is necessary for governments to have appropriate programs in providing infrastructure.