Hospitals, as social institutions that provide health services to the community under its coverage, are one of the pioneer institutions that encourage and use social participation in the management and implementation of public governance. The leading countries in hospital quality improvement and management have generally moved towards models of hospital administration under public guidance and supervision or so-called public governance. This research will be carried out to provide a public governance model for Iran's hospitals, focusing on the management of hospitals with the participation of the people.
This research followed a mixed-method design to develop a public governance model for hospitals in Iran. First, the components of public governance for hospitals in Iran are identified by reviewing the literature and experiences of other countries, and then, the viewpoints of experts regarding the components of public governance for hospitals in Iran are collected through qualitative methods such as focus group discussion and interviews. Based on the findings of the literature review and qualitative methods, the initial model of the public governance model for hospitals in Iran will be developed, validated and finalized using the Delphi technique. Finally, the evaluation indicators of the designed model will be extracted.
The results of this research will provide policymakers and senior managers of the health system with valuable information to improve the performance of the public governance system in the health system of the country. To achieve this goal, the comprehensive evaluation tools are required.
This study protocol may face limitations in its applicability to healthcare systems outside Iran due to differences in organizational, cultural and political contexts. The qualitative methods and Delphi technique, while ensuring depth and expert input, might lead to subjective interpretations and potential biases in the final model. Additionally, the reliance on expert consensus may not fully capture all stakeholder perspectives. Future research will need to validate the proposed model in diverse healthcare settings and incorporate a broader range of stakeholders to ensure its generalizability and impact on global healthcare governance practices.
This study will provide a comprehensive framework for implementing public governance in Iranian hospitals, emphasizing stakeholder participation and transparency in decision-making. The proposed model, once validated, can serve as a practical tool for policymakers and hospital administrators to enhance accountability, optimize resource allocation and improve service quality. By introducing clear evaluation indicators and implementation guidelines, the study aims to address existing management challenges and align hospital operations with public expectations. The findings will offer actionable insights that can be adapted to similar contexts, contributing to the development of more effective and equitable healthcare management practices.
The proposed study will have significant social implications by introducing a governance model that prioritizes inclusive and participatory decision-making in hospital management. By involving various stakeholders, including patients and community representatives, the model aims to foster greater public trust and accountability. Its implementation will likely lead to improved healthcare service quality, equitable access and enhanced satisfaction among users. This participatory approach is expected to contribute to more sustainable healthcare systems, promote social justice and address disparities in healthcare delivery, ultimately benefiting broader society by aligning governance practices with public welfare and shared responsibilities.
This study contributes to the advancement of healthcare governance by proposing a novel public governance model for hospital management, integrating the perspectives of multiple stakeholders. Unlike traditional models, this approach emphasizes stakeholder collaboration, transparency and accountability to enhance service quality and satisfaction. By employing systematic, qualitative and Delphi methodologies, the study identifies and prioritizes comprehensive evaluation indicators tailored to the healthcare context. The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers, hospital managers and researchers seeking innovative strategies to address governance challenges in the health sector, ultimately fostering sustainable and people-centered healthcare systems.
