| Abstract:
Introduction: This study was carried out to evaluate the family physicians program (strengths and weaknesses) in Maragheh.
Methods: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, the study population included 375 under care people, family physicians, health system
managers and staffs from rural health centers in maragheh. Data collection instruments were questionnaire and checklist which have
already been confirmed for reliability& validity. SPSS software was used for date analysis.
Results: About %97 of participants had awareness about family physician implementation; 97/6% used family physician services and
96/8 had health insurance. The major strengths of family physician program were: developing the health files for all people, improving
prenatal and child care, increasing easy access to physician and medicine, and decreasing health expenditure for people. However, the
major weaknesses were: increasing health houses customers, lack of job security and delay in salary payment for family physician team
members, and limited availability of physician in health houses.
Conclusion: The study results imply some suggestions that can solve family physician weaknesses, improve quality of delivered care, and
increase customer’s satisfaction: 1. developing electronic health files for family physician clients. 2. Motivating and briefing specialists
on the manners of dealing with referred patients and giving appropriate feedback. 3. Revising and redefining the target population. 4.
Solving financial problems of family physician team members.
Keywords: Family Physician program, Family practice evaluation, Referral system. |