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Barriers to and Facilitators of Inter-Organizational Coordination in Response to Disasters: A Grounded Theory Approach

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  11 October 2016

Mohammadkarim Bahadori Open the ORCID record for Mohammadkarim Bahadori [Opens in a new window] ,
Hamid Reza Khankeh ,
Rouhollah Zaboli ,
Ramin Ravangard  and
Isa Malmir
Mohammadkarim Bahadori
Affiliation:
Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Hamid Reza Khankeh
Affiliation:
University of Social Welfare & Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Rouhollah Zaboli
Affiliation:
Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
Ramin Ravangard
Affiliation:
Department of Health Services Management, School of Management and Medical Information Sciences, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
Isa Malmir*
Affiliation:
Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
*
Correspondence and reprint requests to Isa Malmir, PhD, Health Management Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran (E-mail: esamalmir@gmail.com).
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Abstract

Objective

Coordination is a major challenge in the field of health in disasters, mostly because of the complex nature of health-related activities.

Methods

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).

Results

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.

Conclusion

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)

Keywords

barriersfacilitatorscoordinationhealth servicesdisastersgrounded theory
Type
Original Research
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 11 , Issue 3 , June 2017 , pp. 318 - 325
Copyright
Copyright © Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc. 2016 

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