Factors Required to Develop Strategic Purchasing for Diagnostic Imaging Services: An Expert Opinion

Area of Science:

• Health Policy and Management
• Health Economics
• Radiology and Imaging

Background:

• Healthcare purchasing continually seeks performance improvements due to rising costs of advanced health technology.
• Strategic purchasing is a recommended approach but underexplored in diagnostic imaging services.
• This study investigates determinants of strategic purchasing specifically within diagnostic imaging.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore potential determinants of strategic purchasing in diagnostic imaging services.
• To identify factors influencing the adoption and effectiveness of strategic purchasing in this sector.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study using framework analysis based on WHO's strategic purchasing framework (5 questions + structure dimension).
• Data collected via semi-structured interviews with 18 key informants until data saturation.
• Analysis performed using MAXQDA software.

Main Results:

• Identified 32 factors influencing strategic purchasing of diagnostic imaging services.
• Key factors include evidence-based service packages, prospective combined payment systems, consideration of disease burden and health needs.
• Implementation of referral systems, family physician programs integrated with electronic health records, political belief, and technical capacity are crucial.

Conclusions:

• Implementing strategic purchasing requires a systemic approach addressing interconnected factors across different purchasing areas.
• Purchasing governance is fundamental and warrants further investigation, particularly in specific national contexts like Iran.