Challenges in Implementation of Health Care Reform in the Area of Treatment Qom City

The health system reform was implemented with 3 approaches of financial protection of people, creating equity in accessing health services, and improving quality in May 2014. The health care reform, similar to any other plans was faced with some challenges. This study aimed to explain the challenges of health care reform in the area of treatment in Qom city, Iran. In this qualitative study, purposive sampling was applied to collect the participants. In this regard, 23 service providers (health managers and workers) working in the educational-treatment centers affiliated to Qom University of Medical Sciences and 5 service recipients were selected in 2017-2018. The semi-structured interviews were conducted to collect the required data. Data analyses were performed using conventional content analysis method by MaxQDA 10 software. A total of 5 main themes, including: “economic challenges", “induced demand”, “human resources”, “reform negative outcomes”, and “improper infra-structure” were derived from data analysis. Findings of this study explained the main challenges of health care reform in the area of treatment. Lack of appropriate planning for these challenges will face the implementation of reform with serious problems. Therefore, implementation and continuation of this project require comprehensive support as well as appropriate planning and policy making from the authorities.