A comprehensive environmental scanning and strategic analysis of Iranian Public Hospitals: a prospective approach

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to provide a strategic direction to public hospitals in Iran via environmental scanning in order to equip hospitals to plan and perform proactively and adapt with the everchanging environment. RESULTS: A mixed method study including in-depth interview and survey were used to determine influential environmental factors based on PESTLE (political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental) and Douglas West framework to determine the effectiveness and feasibility of factors. Issues identified at micro environmental level were over prescription, inequality in distribution of healthcare services and high demands for luxurious health services. Issues identified at the macro environmental level were related to changes in disease patterns, inappropriate hospital budgeting, economic sanctions, government corruption and healthcare centralization. In order to tackle the issues identified, it is paramount to enhance bed distribution management, improve strategic policies for a more equitable payment system, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of services by implementing a strategic inventory control. Furthermore, the considerable impact of economic sanctions on financial resources of Iranian hospitals should not be ignored.