Designing a Strategic Planning Model for Hospitals Affiliated to Islamic Azad University in Iran

Not having a suitable planning model is one of the most important barriers to strategic planning in hospitals of Iran. This study aims to design a strategic planning model for hospitals affiliated to Islamic Azad University in Iran.

In this applied study, the review, comparative, quantitative and qualitative methods were used. First, different strategic planning models were collected and, based on them, a conceptual model was designed. Then, a researcher-made questionnaire was designed based on the different dimensions of the model and validated according to a panel of experts. The questionnaire was completed by 30 experts and the results were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance, and the model was finalized by applying the Delphi method.

Regarding the steps of strategic planning, the factors “formation of planning team” (5±0), and “creating the culture and scientific ability for planning in managers and employees” (4.87±0.34) obtained the highest scores. Regarding the implementation steps of the plan, the factors “receiving and implementing the approved plan” (4.87±0.34) and “monitoring of approved plans and their continuous evaluation” (4.87±0.34) had the highest scores. Regarding the strategic planning team members, “hospital manager” (5±0), and “one expert in planning” (4.87±0.46) obtained the highest scores.

The use of the presented strategic planning model based on its implementation steps by a team with the suggested members can improve the stages of developing and implementing plans in hospitals affiliated to Islamic Azad University.