CHALLENGES OF IMPLEMENTING ACCREDITATION PROGRAM IN IRAN: A QUALITATIVE STUDY

Accreditation is one of the methods of evaluation in healthcare organizations, especially hospitals that in Iran is one of the complicated priorities of the Ministry of Health. This study aimed to analyze the internal and external accreditation status of implementation of the accreditation program in educational hospitals in Ahvaz. This qualitative study which was performed through thematic analysis aimed to assess the views of managers, head nurses and officials of the accreditation department of educational hospitals and experts of treatment affair affiliated with Ahvaz University of Medical Sciences about accreditation challenges. Data were collected by using semi-structured interviews in 2016. Purposive sampling method was used for sampling. Data was analyzed using content analysis and through SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats). According to internal analysis, the strengths of the implementation of accreditation programs categorized in three main themes: structural-cultural, systemic-management and human resource, weaknesses had three themes too: program by nature of the accreditation program, cultural, structural and human resources was determined. Looking for external analysis of opportunities in the form of five main themes were the resources, education and culture, the private sector, other government programs and initiatives and evaluate programs, opportunities in five themes including financial resources, competitive advantage, standards international, communications and other government projects and programs was classified and analyzed. Identifying serious challenges affecting implementation of accreditation program in this study will help to achieve noble objectives accreditation model in hospitals by reducing the weaknesses and considering threats and also by relying on strengths and appropriate use of opportunities. Keywords: Accreditation, Hospital, Qualitative Study.