Challenges of Outsourcing in Hospitals Affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Suggested Solutions
 
Ahmadizadeh Elahe¹, Tajvar Maryam², Ahmadi Akbar³, Ahmadi Batoul^4*
 

1. MSc, Department of Management Sciences and Health Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
2. Assistant Professor, Department of Management Sciences and Health Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3. BSc, Outsourcing Expert and Assistant Administrator and Financial Officer, Faculty of New Technologies, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
4. Associate Professor, Department of Management Sciences and Health Economics, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*Correspondence: School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Poursina St., Qods St., Tehran, Iran
Tel: 00982142933170                                               Email: ahmadiba@tums.ac.ir

Abstract:
Background & Objectives: The available reports indicate that outsourcing strategy was not successful in hospitals affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. The present study aimed to identify the reasons behind the failure of this strategy and also to provide solution to overcome the challenges. 
Methods: The present study was a phenomenological qualitative study conducted in 10 hospitals with outsourcing units affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through 32 semi-structured interviews with key informants and were analyzed using content analysis approach and through MAXQDA11 software.
Results: In this study, 4 main codes (reasons related to hospital, private sector, finance& expenses and human resource) and 18 sub-codes were identified for challenges of outsourcing in hospitals. Also, 3 main cods (preparation, implementation, control and monitoring) and 11 sub-codes were identified for the improvement of the outsourcing strategy.
Conclusion: The Ministry of Health, as the main custodian of public health, should improve its capacities to increase the efficiency of private sector and consider a specific place for private-public partnership strategies, in its future policies. This requires clarifying concepts, revising job descriptions, and clarifying the roles of different individuals in the process of outsourcing.
 
Key­words: Outsourcing, Challenges, Solution, Hospitals, Tehran University of Medical Sciences
 
Citation: Ahmadizadeh E, Tajvar M, Ahmadi A, Ahmadi B. Challenges of Outsourcing in Hospitals Affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences and Suggested Solutions. Journal of Health Based Research 2018; 4(1): 77-93.