Casemix in the Islamic Republic of Iran: current knowledge and attitudes of health care staff

East Mediterr Health J. 2008 Jul-Aug;14(4):931-40.

Abstract

Casemix is a tool that classifies patients according to their clinical similarity and the homogeneity of resources required. A descriptive study was conducted to assess the level of knowledge and attitude toward the casemix-based funding system among staff working in the Iranian Social Security Organization in Tehran. The survey showed that knowledge of casemix and diagnosis-related groups (DRG) was poor among the study group and any attempt to implement the casemix system--which about three-quarters of high-level staff had never heard of--would be likely to fail. This highlights the necessity for creating awareness of the casemix and DRG systems among the hospital staff before any action takes place.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel*
  • Clinical Competence
  • Cost Control
  • Diagnosis-Related Groups / organization & administration*
  • Education, Continuing
  • Efficiency, Organizational
  • Female
  • Financing, Government / organization & administration
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
  • Hospital Costs / organization & administration
  • Humans
  • Iran
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • National Health Programs / organization & administration
  • Needs Assessment
  • Patients / classification
  • Personnel, Hospital* / education
  • Personnel, Hospital* / psychology
  • Social Security
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Urban Population