The Problems of Health Information Management Departments and their Causes in Iran

Due to the importance of information in health care organizations, the problems of health information management departments can play an important role in managing these organizations. Therefore, we attempted to investigate health information management problems and their causes In Iran. This practical study was conducted in 2016, using qualitative approach and Delphi technique. First, the problems of health information management departments and their causes were identified via qualitative study using Corbin-Strauss methodology. Then, two rounds of Delphi technique was used to validate the findings. From the perspective of participants, organizational justice problems (89%), building and work environment (86%), and laws and processes (85%) were the main challenges of the health information management departments in hospitals. Lack of a guild system (95%), and finance problems (92%) were the main reasons behind these problems. Health information management departments in hospital are faced with a number of challenges. The main reason for these challenges are macro policies, lack of laws and regulations, and attitudes of hospital managers toward these departments.