Volume 29, Issue 1 (4-2026)
jha 2026, 29(1): 1-15 |
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Bajoulvand R, Imani-Nasab M, Jafarnezhad A, Ahmadi Teymourlouy A. Management measures in the face of the COVID-19 epidemic: a phenomenological study. jha 2026; 29 (1) :1-15
URL: http://jha.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4644-en.html
URL: http://jha.iums.ac.ir/article-1-4644-en.html
Razyeh Bajoulvand1 
, Mohammad-Hasan Imani-Nasab2 , Aboubakr Jafarnezhad3 , Ahmad Ahmadi Teymourlouy4
, Mohammad-Hasan Imani-Nasab2 , Aboubakr Jafarnezhad3 , Ahmad Ahmadi Teymourlouy4
1- Student Research Committee, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
2- Department of Public Health, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University Of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
3- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
4- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,ahmadiseyed@gmail.com
2- Department of Public Health, School of Health and Nutrition, Lorestan University Of Medical Sciences, Khorramabad, Iran.
3- Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Social Determinants in Health Promotion Research Center, Hormozgan Health Institute, Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences, Bandar Abbas, Iran.
4- Department of Health Services Management, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. ,
Abstract: (4 Views)
Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic, the third major coronavirus outbreak in the 21st century, has imposed significant and unexpected pressures on healthcare systems worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the management practices adopted in a COVID-19 referral center in Iran.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively selected senior, middle, and operational managers. Inclusion criteria included holding managerial responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic and willingness to participate. Exclusion criteria included unavailability for interview or refusal to participate.
Results: The participants consisted of four senior managers, six middle managers, and 15 operational managers. Using the World Health Organization’s health systems framework, six themes were identified including service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership/governance, from which 32 subthemes and 100 codes were extracted to describe management actions.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need to strengthen managerial capacity for crisis responses. Accordingly, managers should prioritize the development of clear emergency protocols, enhanced interdepartmental coordination, conducting periodic preparedness exercises, and establishing flexible plans for resource recruitment and allocation. These actions can improve hospital preparedness and resilience in future pandemics and other health emergencies.
Methods: This study employed a qualitative phenomenological approach. In-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with purposively selected senior, middle, and operational managers. Inclusion criteria included holding managerial responsibility during the COVID-19 pandemic and willingness to participate. Exclusion criteria included unavailability for interview or refusal to participate.
Results: The participants consisted of four senior managers, six middle managers, and 15 operational managers. Using the World Health Organization’s health systems framework, six themes were identified including service delivery, health workforce, health information systems, access to essential medicines, financing, and leadership/governance, from which 32 subthemes and 100 codes were extracted to describe management actions.
Conclusion: The findings emphasize the need to strengthen managerial capacity for crisis responses. Accordingly, managers should prioritize the development of clear emergency protocols, enhanced interdepartmental coordination, conducting periodic preparedness exercises, and establishing flexible plans for resource recruitment and allocation. These actions can improve hospital preparedness and resilience in future pandemics and other health emergencies.
Type of Study: Research |
Subject:
Health Services Management
Received: 2025/10/10 | Accepted: 2026/03/28 | Published: 2026/04/28
Received: 2025/10/10 | Accepted: 2026/03/28 | Published: 2026/04/28
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