Delivering clinical preventive services in the Islamic Republic of Iran: A model for screening and behavior consultation practices

Background: Screening and behavior consultation are considered to be limited, dispersed and expensive services across the country. To deliver efficient and equitable services current disordered practices need to be consolidated. Methods: An analysis of current situation, learned lessons and future scopes of country’s preventive care delivery, along with a review of international experience and generous participation of various stakeholders, led to proposing a model for screening and behavior consultation practices in IR. Iran. Results: Upon the results of the previous steps, the desired model was based on the network system and family physician. Comprehensive health centers and other centers affiliated to the network are the most appropriate service positions. However, private and academic preventive centers are playing their rules. Conclusion: The proposed model matches the overall pattern of service delivery in the health system (network system with the private sector and the educational sector).