title: Barriers to and Facilitators of Inter-Organizational Coordination in Response to Disasters: A Grounded Theory Approach.
abstract: Coordination is a major challenge in the field of health in disasters, mostly because of the complex nature of health-related activities.
  
  
  
  This was a qualitative study based on the grounded theory approach. A total of 22 experts in the field of health in disasters participated in the study. The data were collected through in-depth interviews and literature review. The collected data were then analyzed by use of MAXQDA 2010 software (VERBI Software GmbH).
  
  
  
  The lack of a strategic view in the field of health in disasters, a lack of coordination of necessities and infrastructures, insufficient enforcement, a higher priority given to an organizational approach rather than a national approach, and the field of disasters not being a priority in the health system were noted as barriers to inter-organizational coordination. The facilitators of inter-organizational coordination noted were the importance of public participation in the field of health in disasters, having a process and systematic view in the field of health in disasters, the necessity of understanding and managing resources and information in the field of health in disasters, and having a feedback and evaluation system in the health system after disasters.
  
  
  
  It is recommended that developing common beliefs and goals be given priority in making plans and policies in the field of health in disasters. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2017;11:318-325).
authors.affiliation: 1Health Management Research Center,Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammadkarim
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-7157-9908
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bahadori
authors.affiliation: 2University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences,Tehran,Iran.
authors.forename: Hamid Reza
authors.initials: HR
authors.lastname: Khankeh
authors.affiliation: 1Health Management Research Center,Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran.
authors.forename: Rouhollah
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zaboli
authors.affiliation: 3Department of Health Services Management,School of Management and Medical Information Sciences,Shiraz University of Medical Sciences,Shiraz,Iran.
authors.forename: Ramin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ravangard
authors.affiliation: 1Health Management Research Center,Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences,Tehran,Iran.
authors.forename: Isa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Malmir
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003256:Community Participation / Q000379:methods; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004189:Disaster Planning / Q000379:methods* / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards; D004190:Disasters; D017598:Efficiency, Organizational / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D066296:Grounded Theory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D036301:Qualitative Research
keywords: barriers; coordination; disasters; facilitators; grounded theory; health services