Designing a Model of Social Entrepreneurship in Diabetes Education and Prevention in Iran: A Grounded theory

Social entrepreneurs respond more effectively than governments to basic needs for water, sanitation, primary health care or specialized care. Considering the lack of a social entrepreneurship model in diabetes prevention and education in Iran, this study has designed this model with a grounded theory.

This research was a qualitative study using grounded theory method. The theoretical sampling was used to selection of participants. The selection criteria included diabetes activists, social entrepreneurs, officials of the Ministry of Health, non-governmental organizations. The theoretical saturation limit was 12 experts. Data collection was done using in-depth interviews. Interviews were analyzed based on the grounded theory method of Strauss and Corbin (2014). The analysis process was done through Atlas TI. 9 software.

435 codes were identified in 21 sub-themes and 12 categories. The model of social entrepreneurship included antecedents, interventions and interactions and consequences. The antecedents included education and empowerment, deprivation, attraction and production of resources, financial protection and patronage. Interventions and interactions included cascading education and peers, financing and investment, empowerment and capacity building of the NGOs, orientation and guidance of patients, profit and financial gain, consultation and research, cooperation and inter-departmental coordination. The consequences include the categories of improving health literacy, internationalization of actions, professionalism in diabetes prevention and education, specialized diabetes centers, diabetes supervision and monitoring.

For more effectiveness of diabetes education and prevention activities, modern and more organized models such as social entrepreneurship should be used. Reengineering the structure of associations, redefining the role and interactions with the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and using social audits and obtaining benefits and cost management can play a significant role in advancing the goals of national diabetes prevention and control programs in the country.