Independence of Centers of Excellence for Medical Sciences: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Background: Centers of Excellence are organizations which have prominent works in a specific field, and are capable of delivering quality services using specialized equipment, innovative techniques and modern technologies and brings financial benefits and cost recovery to their organization. Promoting the independence of these organizations plays a critical role in terms of maintaining sustainable competition in their future efforts. The purpose of this study was to develop goals and challenges of independence for centers of excellence.
 Methods: This was a qualitative study, content analysis, involving semi-structured interviews with 7 individuals from centers of excellence for medical sciences. Sampling was continued until data saturation. Interview transcripts were analyzed through coding and classifying concepts into categories and subcategories, and then MaxQDA 2007 10, software was used for further analysis.
 Results: According to the participants, a number of prerequisites (such as: goals and strategies) are required to secure independence and authority for Iranian centers of excellence, and also this independence has some distinct dimensions (such as: financial and human resources). Furthermore, the participants identified the possible obstacles and challenges (such as: bureaucratic processes and failure to delegate authority) to the independence of the centers, and proposed solutions to tackle them (such as: internal and external evaluations and accreditation).
 Conclusion: In the end, the results were used to set up independence regulations for policy makers of centers of excellence to support them during the process of independence.