Identifying the dimensions of management in providing preventive services of the first type of health in the elderly in Iran

Objectives: Our society, which has reached old age, faces various problems in terms of health care. An important discussion is related to the promotion of elderly health, preventive care and how to manage it in the world. Since the health care system makes appropriate changes in the structure and process of providing services to patients, The aim of this study was to identify the most important aspects of providing preventive services of the first type of health in the elderly in Iran. Materials & Methods: This is a descriptive-survey study in which the desired variables were measured using a questionnaire and in fact the causal relationships between the variables were identified. First, the conditions for providing preventive services of the first type of health in the elderly of selected countries of the world and Iran were described and a comparative study was performed. Then, information, views and opinions of 12 management experts on the variables extracted from the literature review were collected using the Delphi technique in three stages and after the consensus of experts, a structured questionnaire was designed. For final confirmation of the variables and main components of face validity and content of the questionnaire and in order to assess the reliability of the questionnaire, Cronbach's alpha coefficient was calculated and the questionnaire was distributed and completed in a statistical population of 176 experts. In order to calculate the effect of the components on the main variable,, the method of structural equations was used. Findings: Findings showed that this model has 6 dimensions (planning, organizing, sourcing, monitoring, leadership and preventive services). Factor load and statistics of each of the dimensions of planning (0.68 and 5.22), organization (0.56 and 4.54), resource provision (0.76 and 2.72), monitoring (0.75 and 3.29), leadership (0.68 and 4.92) and preventive services ( 0.71 and 3.44) were calculated on the management of preventive services of the first type of health in the elderly. Eight indicators were identified and approved in the planning dimension, six indicators in the organization dimension, seven indicators in the resource provision dimension, seven indicators in the supervision dimension, three indicators in the leadership dimension, and six indicators in the preventive services dimension. Conclusion: The dimensions identified as having the greatest impact on the management of the provision of preventive services of the first type of health in the elderly are planning, preventive services, monitoring, organizing, providing resources and leadership that promotes health culture by creating infrastructure, scientific and practical measures. And the seriousness of the health system in using the existing capacities and facilities, leads to increasing the quality of life of the elderly, reducing health costs and reducing the burden of disease in the community.