Factors influencing the geographic distribution of physicians in Iran: A qualitative study

Introduction: The uneven geographic distribution of physicians has been a longstanding important issue worldwide. Different policies have been recently employed in Iran, with the aim of bridging the gap. This study aimed to explore factors influencing the distribution of specialist physicians in Iran and investigate the effects of newly established policies on attracting and retaining physicians in rural and remote areas. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted in 2012. Qualitative data were obtained through an open-ended questionnaire and by reviewing relevant documents. Participants were 82 key officials from medical universities, who were directly involved in the distribution of physicians across the country, including vice chancellors for treatment affairs, managers for treatment affairs, and human resources experts. Thematic analysis was used to analyse qualitative data. Results: Four main factors influencing the distribution of physicians were explored, namely external, contextual, individual, and organizational factors. The decision to practice in rural areas was mainly influenced by socioeconomic characteristics of the designated areas and personal attributes of physicians, including sex, income expectations, and rural background. Participants also asserted that the implemented policies had a major positive influence on the distribution of physicians. In addition, participants believed that the improvement in the distribution of physicians had both positive economic and health impacts in underdeveloped areas. Conclusions: It seems that the regional distribution and supply of physicians have been improved in the light of the implemented policies in recent years. The study also revealed that a number of factors influence physician choices to stay and practice in rural and underdeveloped areas. Policies such as providing more financial and non-financial incentives, reducing disparities between physicians' income in rural and metropolitan areas, selection of students with rural background, and supportive measures for physicians working in underserved areas were recommended. © H Ravaghi, E Taati, Z Abdi, A Meshkini, S Sarvarizadeh, 2015

Metastability of hard-core dynamics on bipartite graphs

Analysis and Stochastic

Women's right to health in Iran

In Iran, discrimination based on gender in enjoyment of the right to health is prohibited. Making health services physically and financially accessible to the entire population and removing social and cultural barriers of women's access to health services are main considerations of the health law sand policies of Iran. The health of Iranian women has improved considerably in recent years. But there are disparities in health status and access of women to health services around the country. Some groups of women, including the poor, the elderly, the disabled, the illegal immigrant, and those without an appropriate male guardian, and rural women have limited access to health services in Iran. To realize women's right to health, this country should immediately remove the disparities and use all the necessary means including legislative, administrative, budgetary, promotional,and judicial measures. National plans on women's empowerment and support should be interpreted in provincial pro-grams and action plans. Moreover, a monitoring system and certain benchmarks for tracing the progress of the plans should be established. Realizing other economic, social,and cultural rights including the rights to food, shelter, education, work, social security, and participation in society will improve the Iranian women's enjoyment of their right