Iranian centers of excellence in medical sciences: A qualitative study to analyze the current state and design of a future roadmap

Background: Due to the law for the fifth development plan and Iran’s 20- year economic perspective, Centers of Excellence (COEs) were expected to upgrade the level of research and education besides improving infrastructures in Iran. This study is aimed to analyze the current state of national centers of excellence and designing a future roadmap. Methods: In this qualitative study, data was gathered by reviewing relevant national & international literature and upstream documents, interview with experts, and focused group discussions with stakeholders. Finally, a roadmap was prepared for approval. Results: Lack of common understanding of the COEs definition, lack of clear professional orientation for each center, lack of mandate and commitment in using COEs in the health system and community health promotion, weakness in enticing elites, and unresponsive to basic needs of the country were five major challenges COEs encountered. The consensus prospective vision for centers of excellence was developed based on the establishment and management of special institutions of thought and technology in centers of excellence to advise health policymakers and provide the highest level of the regional and global position. Conclusion: Despite over a decade of development of medical COEs, their goals have not been reached yet. Enactment of designed roadmap and its subprojects in the Supreme Council of Centers is the primary steps for functional improvement of COEs.