The Iran Healthcare Professionals' Charter of Rights

In today's rapidly changing social and cultural landscape, recognizing the rights of Healthcare Professionals (HCPs) alongside those of the patients has become essential for a fair and sustainable healthcare system. While patient rights are widely acknowledged, HCPs in Iran often face heavy workloads, poor work-life balance, and reduced professional dignity. These challenges not only affect their well-being but can also compromise the quality of care the patients receive. This report presents the development of the "Charter of Rights for HCPs of Iran," prepared by the Supreme Council of the Iranian Medical Council (IMC). The charter aims to create a clear framework that protects HCPs' rights, promotes ethical practice, and supports the delivery of high-quality care nationwide. Development Process and Implementation: A comprehensive, consultative approach was used to develop the charter. The process began with a literature review, followed by semi-structured interviews with a diverse group of physicians, pharmacists, and dentists. Key themes were identified through content analysis, and the draft charter was refined based on feedback from focus groups and the Delphi method, ensuring its relevance, practicality, and acceptance by stakeholders. Key Findings: The charter includes six chapters and 59 articles addressing areas such as professional respect, workplace safety, fair compensation, continuing education, transparency, and professional autonomy. Each chapter outlines clear rights and responsibilities, highlighting the importance of balanced relationships between HCPs and patients. Discussion: The Iran HCPs' Charter of Rights presents a comprehensive framework for safeguarding healthcare professionals' rights, establishing multi-stakeholder accountability and addressing issues such as conscientious objection, aiming to mitigate systemic vulnerabilities and reduce dissatisfaction-driven turnover. This pioneering document offers a potential global model for balancing professional rights with quality patient care.

Ratifying and implementing this charter represents a significant step toward recognizing and safeguarding the rights of HCPs in Iran. Its adoption is expected to enhance workforce well-being, strengthen ethical standards, and improve patient care. Future studies should assess the charter's impact and uptake by key national stakeholders to guide further improvements.