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Assessing the Quality of Hospital Outpatient Services in Iran: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Publisher Pubmed



Farrokhi P1 ; Bagherzadeh R2 ; Arabzozani M3 ; Zarei E4
Authors
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Authors Affiliations
  1. 1. Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  2. 2. English Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
  3. 3. Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
  4. 4. Department of Health Service Management, School of Management and Medical Education, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

Source: BMC Health Services Research Published:2023


Abstract

Background: Quality healthcare services are considered one of the most effective vehicles for healthcare managers to achieve organizational goals. Therefore, this study aimed to combine the findings of comparable studies to identify consistencies and contradictions in the quality of outpatient services in Iran. Methods: The current systematic review and meta-analysis study was conducted in 2022 according to PRISMA guideline. All relevant English and Persian studies were searched in databases, including Web of Sciences, PubMed, Scopus, Scientific Information Database, and Magiran. No year restriction was applied. The quality of the studies was assessed by the 22-item Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology checklist. The meta-analysis was conducted by using Open Meta Analyst, and between-study heterogeneity was investigated with I-squared statistic. Results: Of the 106 retrieved articles, seven studies with a total sample size of 2600 were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled estimate of mean for overall perception was 3.95 (95% CI: 3.34- 4.55, P< 0.001, I2= 99.97), while the pooled estimate of the mean for the overall expectation was 4.43 (95% CI: 4.11- 4.75, P< 0.001, I2= 99.93). The highest and lowest perception mean scores were related to tangibility (3.52, Gap= -0.86) and responsiveness (3.30, Gap= -1.04) dimensions. Conclusion: Responsiveness was identified as the weakest dimension. Therefore, managers are recommended to design suitable workforce-development programs which focus on the provision of timely and prompt services, polite and courteous interactions with patients, and prioritization of patients’ needs. Moreover, training public sector practitioners along with incentives can fill up the existing gaps. © 2023, The Author(s).
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