Designing the Health Care Provision’s Structure for Children and Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder in Iran

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Different centers and organizations are involved in providing care to autistic children in Iran. There is no comprehensive structure that defines the relationships and duties of all organizations and stakeholders. Objective: The purpose of the present study was to design a structure for providing health services to children with autism spectrum disorder in Iran. Methods: This study was a multi-stage study that used scoping review and qualitative study with Grounded Theory approach. The Medline and Scopus databases were searched systematically alongside clinical guidelines and selected information sources to identify the structures of health care delivery system and care content for children with ASD in the period of 2000 to 2019. The opinions of experts and parents were reviewed in 7 focus group discussions and 7 semi-structured interviews with 59 participants. The proposed structure was developed by the research team and subsequently revised and finalized in the panel of experts. The validity of the structure was confirmed by Delphi method. Results: The results of the review of existing models were classified into models of care delivery, screening, diagnostic methods and tools, providers, services and interventions, and service delivery organizations. The results of the qualitative analyzes were categorized into 9 categories, 19 themes and 142 sub-themes. Proposed structure of providing health services to children with ASD has several components, including: Policy Council, Supervision and Evaluation, Resource Management (financial and physical), Service delivery (including centers, Care and Services process, Features And goals. Conclusion: Due to the multidisciplinary nature of health services for children with ASD in Iran, a coordinated and structured structure that sets goals and resources and monitors the process of services can be based on coordinated services. Effective on evidence.