Study of Factors inFluencing Physician Decision to Enter the Family Physician Program; A Case Study of Tehran

One of the main issues and challenges of managing health care system in Iran, is the issue of inequities in access to health services. Theoretical studies and empirical evidences indicate that implementation of the referral system and family physician plan is one of the main strategies to overcome inequity in the health and appropriate using of scarce resources in this area. But for successful execution of the family physician, it is necessary to identify important determinants affecting the decisions of participants in this plan using scientific methods and studying, and health policy makers should design a program pack that matches preferences of the target population to increase the possibility of its successful implementation. This study used Discrete Choice Experiment (DCE) to identify important determinants affecting the decisions of physicians.
Results show that increase in net payments to general practitioners, nearer workplace to residence, allocation of quota to get the degree of expertise, existence of housing facilities and deadheading pay, less covered population and paying to physicians in less period of time may increase the utility and satisfaction of physicians and therefore, possibility of their participation and entry to the plan, as expected.
According to the results, the attribute "place of work" are significantly more important than the other attributes.