Are people in Tehran prepared for the family physician program?

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Health Policy
• Urban Health Systems

Background:

• The Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education expanded the family physician program from rural to urban areas.
• A pilot program in selected cities informed the urban implementation strategy.
• Studies highlighted both benefits and drawbacks of family physicians in urban settings before the Tehran launch.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate public attitudes, knowledge, and practices regarding the newly implemented family physician program in Tehran.
• To identify factors influencing residents' agreement with the urban family physician program.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional telephone survey was conducted in Tehran from November to December 2012.
• The study involved 386 residents aged 18 and over, using a researcher-designed questionnaire and Random Digit Dialing (RDD).
• Statistical analyses included Chi-square, t-test, ANOVA, and logistic regression to assess knowledge and agreement factors.

Main Results:

• 57.4% of participants were aware of the family physician program; 85.1% of those aware intended to participate.
• Television and radio were primary sources of information.
• Individuals without health insurance were significantly more likely to accept the program (OR=2.38) after adjusting for education, internet access, and socioeconomic status.

Conclusions:

• Despite low initial awareness, a majority of informed residents expressed intent to join the family physician program.
• Enhancing public information strategies is crucial for increasing community participation and engagement in urban health programs.
• The findings underscore the importance of targeted outreach for successful implementation of public health initiatives.