title: Experts' perceptions of the concept of induced demand in healthcare: A qualitative study in Isfahan, Iran.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  One of the most important subjects in health economics and healthcare management is the theory of induced demand. There are different views about the concept of induced demand. Extensive texts have been presented on induced demand, however a compatible concept has not necessarily been provided for this phenomenon and it has not been defined explicitly.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The main aim of this article is to understand the concept of induced demand with the use of experts' perceptions of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.
  
  
  METHODS
  The research was done using a qualitative method. Semi-structured interview was used for data generation. Participants in this study were people who had been informed in this regard and had to be experienced and were known as experts. Purposive sampling was done for data saturation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventeen people were interviewed and criteria such as "reliability of information" and "stability" of the data were considered. The anonymity of the interviewees was preserved.
  
  
  METHODS
  The data are transcribed, categorized and then the thematic analysis was used.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In this study, 21 sub-categories and three main categories were derived. Three main subjects were included: Induced demand definition, induced demand elements, and induced demand methods. Each of these issues contained some sub-subjects.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The result of this study provides a framework for examining the concept of induced demand. The most notable findings include the definition of induced demand, induced demand elements, and method of induced demand. In induced demand definition, an important issue that is often overlooked is that inducing regarding to the effectiveness of clinical services and medical values can lead to better or worse outcomes for patients. These findings help the health policy makers study the phenomenon of induced demand with clear-sighted approach.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Management, Social Determinate of Health Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Mahmoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keyvanara
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Management, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Saeed
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Karimi
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Management, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Elahe
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Khorasani
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Services Management, Health Management and Economics Research Center, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
authors.forename: Marzie Jafarian
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Jazi
keywords: Concept; healthcare services; induced demand