Developing a Model for National Health Information Governance Program in Iran.

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Public Health Policy
• Information Management

Background:

• Information Governance (IG) programs are crucial for improving healthcare quality and cost-efficiency.
• Iran's health system currently lacks a coherent national health IG program.
• Effective IG is essential for managing health data securely and efficiently.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a comprehensive model for a national health Information Governance program in Iran.
• To address the absence of a structured IG framework within the Iranian healthcare system.
• To propose a model that enhances the quality and reduces the cost of healthcare services through improved data governance.

Main Methods:

• An applied, cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted.
• The research involved a literature review, model development, and validation using the Delphi method.
• Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics.

Main Results:

• A national health IG program model was developed, comprising 3 main sections, 13 components, and 12 principles.
• The model includes defined natural and judicial authorities with specific job descriptions for health IG.
• Validation revealed that 93% of experts confirmed the model's components, principles, and supervisory bodies.

Conclusions:

• The proposed model provides a framework for establishing a national health IG program in Iran.
• It is recommended to establish a health IG council within the Ministry of Health and Medical Education.
• Successful implementation requires the active participation of directors and staff in healthcare centers.