Measuring and Comparing Service Delivery Time in Government and Outsourced Health Posts Affiliated with Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Seyed Hadi Hosseini; Mitra  Rahimzadeh; Ali  Hosseini; Arash  Shirdel; Seyedeh Sedreh  Hosseini; Mohammad  Amerzadeh

doi:10.18502/jebhpme.v7i4.15476

Seyed Hadi Hosseini Department of Healthcare Services Management, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Mitra Rahimzadeh Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Social Determinants of Health Research Center, School of Health, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Ali Hosseini Student Research Committee, School of Dentistry, Alborz University of Medical Sciences, Karaj, Iran
Arash Shirdel Department of Health Information Technology, Ferdows Faculty of Medical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Birjand, Iran
Seyedeh Sedreh Hosseini Department of Exceptional Student Education, General Department of Education of Alborz Province, Karaj, Iran
Mohammad Amerzadeh Social Determinants of Health Research Center, Research Institute for Prevention of Non-Communicable Diseases, Qazvin University of Medical Sciences, Qazvin, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jebhpme.v7i4.15476

Keywords: Primary Healthcare, Duration, Government Health Post, Outsourced Health Post, Tehran.

Abstract

Background: The duration of healthcare services has a significant impact on the quality of care and patient's satisfaction. Having information on service delivery time in both government and outsourced Health Posts (HPs) can contribute to evidence-based policymaking and better resource management. Therefore, this study aims to estimate and compare service delivery time in government and outsourced HPs.

Methods: This descriptive-analytical cross-sectional study was conducted in six affiliated HPs under Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2019–2020. Data were collected through a census using a stopwatch and a time recording form during one working week. The average duration of each service (in minutes) was obtained. The results were reported using descriptive statistics and were analyzed using SPSS₂₄ software and multivariate analysis of variance (ANOVA).

Results: The total mean of duration of services provided in government HPs (777.6 minutes) was greater than that in outsourced HPs (788.5 minutes). Among the 10 services provided, the average duration of services for adolescents (20.4±4.5 minutes), young adults (20.5±5.6 minutes), middle-aged adults (26.1±10.4 minutes), and elderly individuals (24.3±13.6 minutes) in government HPs was significantly longer than in outsourced HPs (p<0.05). Additionally, the average duration of health education services (23.1±10.5 minutes) and health ambassador training (36.1±13.7 minutes) in private HPs was significantly longer than in government HPs (p<0.05).

Conclusion: In outsourced HPs, it is important to focus on creating a balance between the number of visits and the staff available for services which target adolescents, young adults, middle-aged adults, and elderly individuals. In government HPs, emphasis should be placed on increasing the time allocated for educational and promotional health services. By considering the importance of service delivery time and the observed differences in findings of this study, it is crucial to prioritize the duration of service delivery as an important performance measure when comparing government and outsourced HPs.