Application of goal programming to improve human resource allocation for urban family physician plan in Iran

Family physician plan in Iran was conducted to establish service referral system. Its urban step began in 2012 and it was supposed that the effectiveness is enhanced and the costs are reduced. The implementation of this program has faced some challenges, especially in human resources management. The aim of this study was to optimally allocate human resources for urban family physician plan in Jahrom town, using goal programming model.
This cross-sectional, case study was carried out in 2014 in Jahrom, Iran. Jahrom was studied as a case. Data were collected using a group discussion sessions, five structured interviews, reviewing documents, and field study. The participants were selected using purposive sampling method. After the emergence of goal programming components, the model was designed and problems were solved using software DS.
The optimal number of urban family physicians was 37 with two working shifts and 15 with one working shift. Moreover, the optimal number of physicians was 25 in public health centers and 19 in private centers. In addition, the optimum number of family physician assistants was 52. On the basis of these results, the real number of urban family physicians was 33, 26, 25, 34 and, 57, respectively.
The results of this model showed that allocation of human resources in family physician program was not optimal and satisfactory based on the decision-makers’ viewpoints. Thus, goal programming would provide a more favorable allocation when combined with mentality of the managers and logical optimal numbers.