Designing a Good Governance Model in Iran's Healthcare System Using a Mixed Approach of Thematic Analysis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) Method

Introduction: Good governance, as one of the fundamental concepts in healthcare system management, plays a key role in enhancing the efficiency, effectiveness, and equity of healthcare services.This concept, Emphasizing principles such as transparency, accountability, participation, and legality, has been considered as a framework for improving policymaking and management in Iran's healthcare system.This study conducted in 2024 aimed to design and present a model of good governance in the healthcare system using a mixed approach of thematic analysis and Partial Least Squares (PLS) method.Methods: The research method included both qualitative and quantitative components.The qualitative phase, involved managers, health policy experts, specialists from the Ministry of Health and Medical Education, and academic scholars.Sampling was done using purposive and snowball sampling methods, with 17 participants selected until theoretical saturation was reached.In the quantitative phase, the Partial Least Squares (PLS) method was used for model fitting.The statistical population for this section included all experts and managers in Iran's healthcare sector, with a minimum sample size of 384 determined based on Cochran's formula. Results:The results of thematic analysis of the qualitative data and model fitting showed that the final good governance model in the healthcare system consists of seven main dimensions: effectiveness, efficiency, equity, transparency and accountability, participation, legality, and leadership.Each dimension comprised specific components, and the importance of each was confirmed in strengthening good governance.Conclusions: Throughout all research stages, ethical principles, including informed consent, confidentiality of information, and respect for participants' rights, were carefully followed.