Factors affecting futures Studies in hospitals: A Qualitative Study

Organizational futures studies is to inform managers in organizations about the future. This shows that a manager plays a pivotal role in shaping the ideal future for an organization and the challenges they face in this regard. This study aimed to identify factors that affect the futures studies in hospitals affiliated to Kerman University of Medical Sciences. This qualitative study was undertaken using a content analysis method. Participants consisted of 10 managers and experts of futures studies and they were selected through purposive and snowball sampling. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed with framework analysis method for theme development. Data analysis led to the development of six main themes, namely, “leadership”, "management", "training", "Policymaking", "creativity and innovation" and "organizational competition". Given the uncertainty of the future and the necessity of sustaining the life of any organization, especially in the field of health, it seems essential that special attention be given to futures studies. On the way to promoting futures studies, required intellectual and cultural contexts in the form of designing appropriate training programs and actions based on knowledge are the essential elements in order to meet any sort of futures studies activities in the health sector.