Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives
Abstract Background Health Technology Assessment (HTA) plays a crucial role in informing healthcare policy and decision-making, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Iran. Despite its potential, the development of HTA in Iran faces significant barriers due to political, financial, tech...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Archives of Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01566-8 |
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| author | Meysam Behzadifar Saeed Shahabi Ahad Bakhtiari Samad Azari Mohammad Yarahmadi Aidin Aryankhesal Banafsheh Darvishi Teli Masoud Behzadifar |
| author_facet | Meysam Behzadifar Saeed Shahabi Ahad Bakhtiari Samad Azari Mohammad Yarahmadi Aidin Aryankhesal Banafsheh Darvishi Teli Masoud Behzadifar |
| author_sort | Meysam Behzadifar |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background Health Technology Assessment (HTA) plays a crucial role in informing healthcare policy and decision-making, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Iran. Despite its potential, the development of HTA in Iran faces significant barriers due to political, financial, technical, and social challenges. This study aims to explore stakeholder perspectives on the barriers hindering HTA development in Iran and to identify strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Methods This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews to collect data from 18 stakeholders involved in the healthcare sector in Iran, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and experts in health economics and policy. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key barriers and overarching themes related to HTA development. Results Seven overarching themes emerged: [1] lack of a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework [2], financial constraints and limited funding [3], shortage of trained professionals and organizational resistance [4], low public and professional awareness [5], weak technical infrastructure and data systems [6], poor inter-organizational collaboration, and [7] political interference in health decision-making. These barriers hinder the effective integration of HTA into Iran’s healthcare system. Despite these barriers, participants suggested actionable recommendations, including strengthening governance structures, increasing financial investment, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and improving technical capacity. Conclusion This study highlights the unique misalignment between HTA priorities and national health policies in Iran, barriers less frequently reported in other LMICs. Addressing these barriers through targeted policy reforms, investment in human resources, and enhanced collaboration could facilitate HTA development and improve healthcare decision-making in Iran. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2226a8e0ea244e00a47b2ac180300faf |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2049-3258 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Archives of Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-2226a8e0ea244e00a47b2ac180300faf2025-08-20T02:49:29ZengBMCArchives of Public Health2049-32582025-03-0183111010.1186/s13690-025-01566-8Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectivesMeysam Behzadifar0Saeed Shahabi1Ahad Bakhtiari2Samad Azari3Mohammad Yarahmadi4Aidin Aryankhesal5Banafsheh Darvishi Teli6Masoud Behzadifar7Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesHealth Policy Research Center, Institute of Health, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesHealth Equity Research Center (HERC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS)Hospital Management Research Center, Health Management Research Institute, Iran University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Medical Parasitology and Mycology, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesSchool of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of East AngliaHealth Management and Economics Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical SciencesSocial Determinants of Health Research Center, Lorestan University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background Health Technology Assessment (HTA) plays a crucial role in informing healthcare policy and decision-making, especially in low- and middle-income countries like Iran. Despite its potential, the development of HTA in Iran faces significant barriers due to political, financial, technical, and social challenges. This study aims to explore stakeholder perspectives on the barriers hindering HTA development in Iran and to identify strategies for overcoming these obstacles. Methods This qualitative study utilized semi-structured interviews to collect data from 18 stakeholders involved in the healthcare sector in Iran, including policymakers, healthcare professionals, and experts in health economics and policy. Thematic analysis was applied to identify key barriers and overarching themes related to HTA development. Results Seven overarching themes emerged: [1] lack of a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework [2], financial constraints and limited funding [3], shortage of trained professionals and organizational resistance [4], low public and professional awareness [5], weak technical infrastructure and data systems [6], poor inter-organizational collaboration, and [7] political interference in health decision-making. These barriers hinder the effective integration of HTA into Iran’s healthcare system. Despite these barriers, participants suggested actionable recommendations, including strengthening governance structures, increasing financial investment, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and improving technical capacity. Conclusion This study highlights the unique misalignment between HTA priorities and national health policies in Iran, barriers less frequently reported in other LMICs. Addressing these barriers through targeted policy reforms, investment in human resources, and enhanced collaboration could facilitate HTA development and improve healthcare decision-making in Iran.https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01566-8Health technology assessmentDevelopmentHealth policyHealthcare decision-makingIran |
| spellingShingle | Meysam Behzadifar Saeed Shahabi Ahad Bakhtiari Samad Azari Mohammad Yarahmadi Aidin Aryankhesal Banafsheh Darvishi Teli Masoud Behzadifar Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives Archives of Public Health Health technology assessment Development Health policy Healthcare decision-making Iran |
| title | Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives |
| title_full | Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives |
| title_fullStr | Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives |
| title_full_unstemmed | Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives |
| title_short | Navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in Iran: a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives |
| title_sort | navigating barriers to health technology assessment development in iran a qualitative exploration of stakeholder perspectives |
| topic | Health technology assessment Development Health policy Healthcare decision-making Iran |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13690-025-01566-8 |
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