Evaluation of Public Participation and intersectoral collaboration in Family Physician Program in Rular areas of Iran

Family Physician Program (FPP) has been performed by Ministry of Health and Medical Education in Iran villages, since 2004. Major roles of this program included providing competiveness, permanency, management health services, cooperation with other sectors and presenting healthy packages to population. Due to the importance of public and intersectoral collaboration in achievement of FPP goals, the present study aimed to explore the people and other relevant sectors participation to empower the FPP, and to obtain an appropriate resource allocation.
A Mixed method study was conducted using random, and convenient sampling in quantitative and qualitative studies, respectively. The data was collected using Health Questionnaire (eight dimensions), in quantitative study, and in-depth interviewes and focus group discussions, in qualitative study, in order to explore six objectives. Interviews were conducted with the program managers at the province level, key informants, and people. The results of the qualitative study is presented in this paper.
The results showed that the people have not participated in the program for different reasons (e.g. resource deficiencies, instrumental involvement to provide equipment, and health costs). Different level of Intersectorial interaction, and instrumental involvement could be remarked as the possible reasons for non-involvement of the other sectors participants.
The lack of providing the program prerequisites, and problems in executive process (e.g. limited financial and human resource) were some of weaknesses of the FPP.