Identifying Priorities of Policymaking for E-Health Development in Iran

E-health planning in Iran suffers from some shortcomings which could be overcome by identifying the priorities of policymaking. The purpose of this study is to identify, categorize, and prioritize the indices of e-health policymaking in Iran. Through reviewing the related research, the indices were identified and categorized. The list of the indices was revised by 38 e-health experts. The data, collected by means of questionnaires, were analyzed through Freedman Test in SPSS. Having reviewed the related studies, three categories of indices were identified: infrastructures, policies, and strategies. The survey of infrastructures of e-health development showed that the legal and legislative provision had the highest priority. In the area of policies, it was found that the highest priority was related to the integration of e-health activists and providers. Finally, in the area of strategies of e-health development, public and affordable access based on people’s needs showed the highest priorities. Enactment of laws of privacy and laws facilitating private sector activities, coordination between e-health activists and provision of access to quality and public services should be among the priorities of policymakers.