The Evaluation of Urban Community Health Centers in Relation to Family Physician and Primary Health Care in Southern Iran

Background: Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran has developed a new version of health urban posts called Urban Community Health Center (UCHC) with primary aim of improving primary health care (PHC) in urban areas. The aim of present study was to evaluate this newly developed model of UCHC in Ghaleno, a suburban region of Shiraz, Iran in 2014. Methods: Besides descriptive analysis of foregoing model and considering its goal, plan, and dimensions, a qualitative study was carried out using in-depth interview with four managers of this model in Ghaleo region as well as the family physicians (FPs) of the model. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Results: Evaluation of this model in 7-month period after implementation, showed that population coverage was raised from 23% to 84%, a remarkable and increasing achievement of 61%. The universal package is a protocol for providing healthcare services based on PHC. The descriptive study of the model based on physicians view, explored real FP, population's satisfaction, importance of physician's assistant, and payment system reform in the model. Conclusion: Ghaleno model has unique objectives in providing healthcare services in urban areas. The findings of this study call for further evaluation, specifically in quality care services. The success and continuation of this model demand the support of policy makers.