Pains and Gains from Iran’s Experience with the Management of Covid_19 Pandemic

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

2 Department of Emergency Medicine, School of Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 Department of Health Management and Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran

LBL_COMMENTED_AT/ijhr.2022.330135.1516

Abstract

Background and Objectives: COVID-19, a rapidly spreading virus, has severely challenged all countries worldwide. Various clinical and public health interventions have been in action since its first report in December 2019. This study thus aims to share the lessons learnt and identify the strengths and weaknesses upon the crisis management of Covid_19 in Iran.

Method: This was a qualitative exploratory research including 22 semi-structured, face-to-face, virtual interviews with key informants and decision makers in the management of current epidemic in Tehran University of Medical Sciences since April to December 2020. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis.
Results: There emerged nine themes representing the key pains and gains experienced by the affected health care organizations. They ranged mainly from the multiplicity in the decisions and policies, unfair distribution of resources across the country, resistance to unexpected changes to imbalance in the provision of medical services. As such, the gains mainly included the provision of quarantine facilities outside of hospitals and creating strong advisory team.
Conclusion: The current unprecedented crisis has affected various aspects of human life. Policy makers and managers, especially in health care, worldwide are struggling to abate the consequences of this nasty virus, though facing tough challenges. Some hands-on and real-time experiences from the fight of a developing and highly affected country against this virus is provided which might be of a high value. Whatever approach adopted, it is key to be multifaceted and support all physical, mental and social aspects of health in crises.

Keywords