Conditions Affecting the Elderly Primary Health Care in Urban Health Care Centers of Iran



Darani FM^{1, 2} ; Abedi HA³ ; Riji HM¹
Source: Research Journal of Medical Sciences Published:2009

Abstract

Elderly primary health care in urban health care centers is influenced by many factors. The quality primary health care in urban health care centers is of great importance and complexity and pan dimensionality of the care in these centers requires multiple interpretations that necessitate exploring and describing the perspectives of whom involved in care giving to understand the factors affecting the quality of care. This study was carried out with the aim of exploring and describing the factors involved in quality elderly primary health care in urban health care centers of Isfahan, Iran. Qualitative research was conducted using unstructured interviews, focus group discussion and participant observations. Data revealed that structural factors including micro or inter organizational conditions and macro or ultra organizational conditions have influenced the quality of elderly primary health care. Micro conditions refer to the conditions relating to health care system and included five categories of problems and conditions related to health care planning, human resource related issues, fundamental problems in the health care system, factors related to possibilities and facilities and factors related to access to health care. Macro conditions included social problems and issues, economical problems and issues and cultural problems and issues. Interaction between micro and macro conditions resulted in indifference to health care of health care providers and elderly clients and poor quality of care. Findings were suggestive of correcting and modifying the micro and macro conditions and comprehensive ecological approach in promoting elderly primary health care. © Medwell Journals, 2009.