Family Physician as an Essential Part of the Healthcare SystemThe Eastern Mediterranean Region: An Emphasis on The Islamic Republic of Iran

The family physician program is designed to promote health equity and provide comprehensive and continuous health services for all ages. However, the implementation faced many challenges and problems in different parts. This study investigates the status of family physician program and analyzes its aspects in the Eastern Mediterranean countries, especially in Iran.

This study is systematic review. English and Persian databases such as Google scholar, Pubmed, EBSCo, SID, Magiran, were searched with related keywords in the timeframe of 2016 to 2022. Content analysis of 63 articles was performed and results were categorized in five areas of governance and regulation, training program, financing, quality assurance of services, and community empowerment.

Analyzing previous studies revealed 23 sub-domains in five main 5 areas: Management factors, electronic files, recruitment and retention of human resources, referral system, assessment and evaluation, educational system, content  of education, educational  method, training place, retraining, communication skills, financing, payment to doctors, insurance system, access to services , evaluation for service quality, proper communication with clients, satisfaction of service providers, satisfaction of service recipients, culture building, public education and awareness, modification of social attitude and community participation.

There are challenges and problems in each of the major areas and sub-domains, which can be adjusted and modified with evidence-based policy making and planning. This way, it could be expected that the family medicine program be expanded and institutionalized in the society.