Factors Affecting Health Policies for Older People in Iran.

Globally, the number and proportion of people aged 60 years and older is growing fast. As people age, health needs become more complex, and the health system's responsiveness to older people's needs requires evidence-informed policies. Hence, this study explores the factors affecting the health policy development process for older people in Iran.

Payment system of urban family physician programme in the Islamic Republic of Iran: is it appropriate?

Background: The payment system is pivotal in implementing policies in the health sector. Equitable access to healthcare is the main principle of the payment system.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate aspects of the payment system in the urban family physician programme (FPP) in the Islamic Republic of Iran.

The effectiveness of theory- and model-based lifestyle interventions on HbA1c among patients with type 2 diabetes: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is rising rapidly around the world. A number of systematic reviews have provided evidence for the effectiveness of lifestyle interventions on diabetic patients. The effectiveness of theory- and model-based education-lifestyle interventions for diabetic patients are unclear.

Infrastructures Required for the Expansion of Family Physician Program to Urban Settings in Iran.

Introduction: Following the implementation of Family Physician (FP) Program in rural areas and cities with populations under 20000 in 2005, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education in 2012 decided to implement urban FP in large cities with populations more than 20000. Along with the development and implementation of urban FP in Iran, local websites and newspapers reflected the viewpoints of experts in various levels of health system regarding the various stages of Family Medicine (FM) development (from agenda setting to initial stages of implementation). This study aimed to explore the major infrastructures perceived to be required to achieve desirable implementation of urban FP through analyzing experts' viewpoints reflected in the media and interviews.

Effects of Targeted Subsidies Policy on Health Behavior in Iranian Households: A Qualitative Study.

Background: This study aimed to explore the effects of national targeted subsidies policy on health behavior of Iranian households.

Methods: In this qualitative study, data were collected between January 2012 and December 2013 through face-to-face interviews (23 experts in national and provincial levels of health system and 18 household heads) and through a comprehensive and purposive document analysis. The data was analyzed using a thematic analysis method (inductive-deductive) and assisted by Atlas-ti software.