promoting post graduate medical education in iran: challenges & solutions; a qualitative study

background & purpose: promotion of postgraduate medical education (pgme) is constantly one of the main concerns’ for medical education policy makers because of the key role of residents and graduated specialists/subspecialists in health care system. this study aimed to determine challenges, and potential solutions for promoting the pgme in iran by exploring the expert’s implicit knowledge.  methods:  in this applied qualitative research, using purposive sampling, seven experts and key decision makers in iran’s medical education system, selected, and invited to participate in panel of experts’ session. a panel was conducted in may 2015 for 120 minutes and the data analyzed by thematic framework approach. results: challenges and associated solutions for promoting the pgme in iran were identified in 10 main themes, 34 subthemes for challenges and 43 subthemes for proposed solutions. these themes were framed in three main tasks of stewardship in medical education system. 10 main themes  for key challenges and solutions; included goal and mission, systematic management, curriculum, residents, faculty members, resources and infrastructures, program evaluation , developing new programs, and  presence in the international arena , and intersectional cooperation  . the main themes and subthemes were categorized within the framework of educational macro policy making,  intra educational  system  governance, and  intersectional leadership.. conclusion: this study, proposed some applied solutions to promote postgraduate medical education of the highest quality in response to community and health system demands. revising the specialty / subspecialty curriculum, reform in national system of resident’s admission, reform in resident’s evaluation system program accreditation, decentralization in educational development, admitting international residents, presence in international arena, and constant interaction with clinical research sectors are priority areas and potential solutions should be considered by medical education planners and decision makers. key words: post graduate medical education, medical specialty education, specialty programs, subspecialty programs, educational quality, development, expansion of educational programs, challenges, solutions,