title: Challenges in evaluating clinical governance systems in iran: a qualitative study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In spite of the pivotal role of clinical governance in enhancing quality of services provided by hospitals across the country, a scientific framework with specific criteria for evaluating hospitals has not been developed so far.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study was conducted with the aim to identify the challenges involved in evaluating systems of clinical governance in Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  For the purposes of this qualitative study, 15 semi-structured interviews with experts in the field were conducted in 2011 and the data were analyzed using framework analysis method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five major challenges in evaluating clinical governance include managing human resources, improving clinical quality, managing development, organizing clinical governance, and providing patient-oriented healthcare system.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare system in Iran requires a clinical governance program which has a patient-oriented approach in philosophy, operation, and effectiveness in order to meet the challenges ahead.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Research Center, Department of Health and Management, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Elaheh
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hooshmand
authors.affiliation: Hospital Management Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran ; School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Sogand
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tourani
authors.affiliation: School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ravaghi
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Research Center, Department of Health and Management, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, IR Iran.
authors.forename: Hossein
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ebrahimipour
keywords: Clinical Governance; Iran; Qualitative Research