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Mozhgan Ebrahimnejad1 
, Elaheh HaghGoshayie1 , Zahra Mohebbiyan1 , Yalda Lotfian bonab1 , Arman Saedi1 , Samira Raoofi *2
, Elaheh HaghGoshayie1 , Zahra Mohebbiyan1 , Yalda Lotfian bonab1 , Arman Saedi1 , Samira Raoofi *2
1- Student Research Committee, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran.
2- Student Research Committee, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran. ,samira.raoofi@gmail.com
2- Student Research Committee, Maragheh University of Medical Sciences, Maragheh, Iran. ,
Abstract: (110 Views)
Background and Objective: Elderly individuals, due to physiological changes, chronic diseases, and greater dependence on healthcare services, require comprehensive, accessible, and high-quality services. However, various challenges have created limitations in providing appropriate services to this group. This study aimed to identify and analyze the challenges in delivering services to the elderly in healthcare centers.
Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in 2024 at healthcare centers affiliated with Maragheh University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 35 key informants, selected via purposive sampling. The participants included elderly individuals, health caregivers, and key stakeholders in this field. The collected data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA10 software.
Findings: The findings were categorized into four main themes and 11 subthemes: challenges related to health and aging policy-making (weak decision-making in the health system, behavioral and cognitive barriers), structural and administrative challenges in elderly care (financial and budgetary barriers, technological barriers, infrastructural and facility limitations, issues with medication and equipment, and service delivery obstacles), human resource challenges in elderly care (allocation and empowerment of human resources, staff characteristics), and environmental barriers in elderly care (social factors, individual factors).
Conclusion: Focusing on healthy aging and equity in access to health services is an undeniable necessity in the health system, therefore, it is suggested that policymakers take an effective step in improving services to this vulnerable group by strengthening evidence-based decision-making, improving the infrastructure of health centers, improving the skills of staff, and creating comprehensive approaches to remove environmental barriers.
Methods: This qualitative phenomenological study was conducted in 2024 at healthcare centers affiliated with Maragheh University of Medical Sciences. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews with 35 key informants, selected via purposive sampling. The participants included elderly individuals, health caregivers, and key stakeholders in this field. The collected data were analyzed using conventional content analysis with MAXQDA10 software.
Findings: The findings were categorized into four main themes and 11 subthemes: challenges related to health and aging policy-making (weak decision-making in the health system, behavioral and cognitive barriers), structural and administrative challenges in elderly care (financial and budgetary barriers, technological barriers, infrastructural and facility limitations, issues with medication and equipment, and service delivery obstacles), human resource challenges in elderly care (allocation and empowerment of human resources, staff characteristics), and environmental barriers in elderly care (social factors, individual factors).
Conclusion: Focusing on healthy aging and equity in access to health services is an undeniable necessity in the health system, therefore, it is suggested that policymakers take an effective step in improving services to this vulnerable group by strengthening evidence-based decision-making, improving the infrastructure of health centers, improving the skills of staff, and creating comprehensive approaches to remove environmental barriers.
Keywords: Elderly, Healthcare Services, Challenges, Healthcare Centers, Quality of Healthcare Services, Qualitative Study
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