An Exploration of Social Entrepreneurship in Preventing Non-Communicable Diseases in Iran: Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis

Introduction: Social entrepreneurs play a key role in changing and improving society.This research aimed to examine the elements and influencing factors of social entrepreneurship in the prevention of non-communicable diseases in Iran. Methods: This research was qualitative and employed the interpretive phenomenological method. The selection criteria included health sector activists, social entrepreneurs, officials of the Ministry of Health in the field of NCDs, non-governmental organizations. Sampling continued until saturation (15 person) was reached. Data were collected through using detailed interviews and analyzed using interpretive phenomenology and Dickelman and Allen method. Results: From the interviews, 358 initial codes were derived; it was classified into 19 main categories and concluded with 4 themes. The theme of generating social value encompassed educating and empowering patients; it involved safeguarding patients financially and seeking support for medical needs. The theme of social opportunities included filling government gaps and creating deprivation; it served as a model for social entrepreneurship while recognizing and meeting patients’ needs. The materials related to resources and capital acquisition from the three categories of resource attraction and production; gaining profit and financial profitability and financing and investment were formed. The responsibilities of individuals encompassed training their peers in prevention, providing professional development for health service providers, empowering and enhancing the skills of health workers, orienting and advising patients, and the aspect of developing a health entrepreneurship ecosystem involved collaboration and coordination among departments, promoting and educating about health literacy, internationalizing measures and standards, ensuring professionalism in prevention, establishing specialized treatment centers, and overseeing monitoring for non-communicable diseases. Conclusion: The current landscape in healthcare organizations will change with the entry of innovative entrepreneurs and other innovative actors in the value chain, who will use the power of digital technologies, internet of things and innovative business models to achieve ever-increasing growth.