The role of University Hospitals in Social Accountability

Social accountability is one of the primary missions of every hospital. Hospital managers should be familiar with the social aspects of medical practices and be informed about their services' effects on the target populations and hereby improve the quality of services and the satisfaction of service recipients through planning. The purpose of this study is to provide solutions to strengthen the accountability of managers and service providers to the people in hospitals and their responsibility towards the health of society, as well as patients and clients towards their health status.

Method and Materials: 

This study was conducted using the qualitative and step-by-step thematic analysis method and using field observations and experiences, participation in the think tank meetings of the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, participation in national documents criticizing sessions, as well as the study of the articles and contents contained in the websites of WHO, National Health System of England (NHS) and ACGME. Themes and strategic actions related to the topic were extracted and with qualitative analysis, the activities and solutions were listed, categorized, and edited.

In this study, in 8 areas and 37 strategic issues, more than 350 Practical solutions and some suggestions have been presented to the health officials.

In order to improve the indicators of social responsibility of hospitals, it is suggested to provide an appropriate structure for community-oriented education, forecasting health changes, needs assessment, development of indicators and standards, training the communication skills, behavioral interactions, professional ethics and respect the rights of the patients to the learners and employees, training and monitoring of the points related to diagnosis, treatment, care and prevention of diseases and optimal management of educational processes and hospital services, as well as social prescribing.