Identifying Effective Criteria for the Design of Health Service Packages for Older Adults: A Scoping Review; [ییاسانشیاهرایعمرثومردیحارطهتسبتامدختمالس:نادنملاسکیهعلاطمیرورمهطیحیا]



Saraee F ; Daroudi R ; Emamgholipour S ; Nasehi M M ; Arab M
Source: Journal of Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences Published:2026

Abstract

Background and purpose: The development of health service packages in many countries is challenged by the lack of clear criteria for prioritizing services. Given the growing trend of population aging, achieving universal health coverage requires particular attention to the healthcare needs of older adults. Therefore, this scoping review aimed to identify the key criteria used in the design of health service packages for the elderly. Materials and methods: This study was conducted as a scoping review following the Arksey and O'Malley framework. A literature search covering the period from 2000 to 2024 was performed using reputable national and international databases, together with Google Scholar, using predefined Persian and English keywords. After screening the retrieved records and applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, a total of 10 articles were included for analysis. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: The findings showed that 19 criteria have been identified as influencing the design of health service packages for the elderly and have been adopted in various countries. These criteria were categorized into five main groups: demographic criteria, financial criteria, service delivery and care structure criteria, care effectiveness and quality criteria, and social, political, and ethical criteria. Conclusion: The findings indicate that the development of health service packages for older adults worldwide is informed by multiple criteria that influence decisions regarding service coverage. Among the identified criteria, equity, type of intervention, need, and financial protection were the most commonly applied in designing elderly health service packages. Therefore, it is essential for policymakers to give particular consideration to these criteria during the development of health service packages. © 2026, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences. All rights reserved.