Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran

Abstract Background During health crises, the demand for government healthcare services rises sharply due to increased patient admissions, resource shortages, and systemic pressure. The resilience of public hospitals in critical conditions is essential for maintaining healthcare services, reducing m...

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Main Authors: Omid Sadeghkhani, Peyman Mehdi Alamdarloo, Maryam Alsadat Mahmoodi Mehr, Elahe Shokri Kazem Abadi, Sedighe sadat Tabatabaei Far, Sajad Delavari
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:BMC Public Health
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22474-0
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author Omid Sadeghkhani
Peyman Mehdi Alamdarloo
Maryam Alsadat Mahmoodi Mehr
Elahe Shokri Kazem Abadi
Sedighe sadat Tabatabaei Far
Sajad Delavari
author_facet Omid Sadeghkhani
Peyman Mehdi Alamdarloo
Maryam Alsadat Mahmoodi Mehr
Elahe Shokri Kazem Abadi
Sedighe sadat Tabatabaei Far
Sajad Delavari
author_sort Omid Sadeghkhani
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background During health crises, the demand for government healthcare services rises sharply due to increased patient admissions, resource shortages, and systemic pressure. The resilience of public hospitals in critical conditions is essential for maintaining healthcare services, reducing mortality, and ensuring system sustainability. This study aims to develop a resilience model for the public healthcare sector in response to unknown pandemics, with a focus on COVID-19. Methods This qualitative study employed a grounded theory approach. Participants included 25 senior and mid-level managers and medical personnel from hospitals affiliated with the COVID-19 response center in Shiraz. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, field notes, and memoing. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA-2010 software and Corbin and Strauss’s constant comparison method. Results Findings indicate that resilience in the public health sector during the pandemic was influenced by four key factors: infrastructure and supply chain management, financial management, human resource management, and crisis management. Among these factors, the preparedness of the health system played a central role in determining resilience. Conclusion To enhance resilience in future pandemics, Policymakers should prioritize sustainable financing, strengthen supply chain mechanisms, and improve human resource management to ensure effective crises response.
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spelling doaj-art-5ede6856fd8b44c7aae1b2d754a4b2172025-08-20T02:25:41ZengBMCBMC Public Health1471-24582025-04-0125111610.1186/s12889-025-22474-0Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in IranOmid Sadeghkhani0Peyman Mehdi Alamdarloo1Maryam Alsadat Mahmoodi Mehr2Elahe Shokri Kazem Abadi3Sedighe sadat Tabatabaei Far4Sajad Delavari5Health Human Resources Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Management and Medical Information, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Management and Medical Information, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Management and Medical Information, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesStudent Research Committee, School of Management and Medical Information, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesHealth Human Resources Research Center, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical SciencesAbstract Background During health crises, the demand for government healthcare services rises sharply due to increased patient admissions, resource shortages, and systemic pressure. The resilience of public hospitals in critical conditions is essential for maintaining healthcare services, reducing mortality, and ensuring system sustainability. This study aims to develop a resilience model for the public healthcare sector in response to unknown pandemics, with a focus on COVID-19. Methods This qualitative study employed a grounded theory approach. Participants included 25 senior and mid-level managers and medical personnel from hospitals affiliated with the COVID-19 response center in Shiraz. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, observations, field notes, and memoing. Data analysis was conducted using MAXQDA-2010 software and Corbin and Strauss’s constant comparison method. Results Findings indicate that resilience in the public health sector during the pandemic was influenced by four key factors: infrastructure and supply chain management, financial management, human resource management, and crisis management. Among these factors, the preparedness of the health system played a central role in determining resilience. Conclusion To enhance resilience in future pandemics, Policymakers should prioritize sustainable financing, strengthen supply chain mechanisms, and improve human resource management to ensure effective crises response.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22474-0Health system resiliencePublic health resilienceHealth system preparednessPandemic preparednessHospital resilienceGrounded theory
spellingShingle Omid Sadeghkhani
Peyman Mehdi Alamdarloo
Maryam Alsadat Mahmoodi Mehr
Elahe Shokri Kazem Abadi
Sedighe sadat Tabatabaei Far
Sajad Delavari
Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran
BMC Public Health
Health system resilience
Public health resilience
Health system preparedness
Pandemic preparedness
Hospital resilience
Grounded theory
title Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran
title_full Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran
title_fullStr Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran
title_full_unstemmed Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran
title_short Resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics: a grounded theory approach for COVID-19 in Iran
title_sort resilience model of public health sector during unknown pandemics a grounded theory approach for covid 19 in iran
topic Health system resilience
Public health resilience
Health system preparedness
Pandemic preparedness
Hospital resilience
Grounded theory
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-025-22474-0
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