Survey of the situation of the prehospital emergency medical services system in Iran

The present study investigated the status of prehospital emergency medical services in Iran in 1402. To examine the current structure and components of Iran’s prehospital emergency medical services system, we conducted a qualitative study using content analysis through semi-structured interviews with 38 experts, managers, and service providers across the country. The interview guide was developed based on a review of related literature and consultations with specialists in the field. Data were analyzed using a conventional content analysis approach, and the analysis was carried out with the help of MAXQDA10 software. The findings of the present study are presented in the form of 8 themes (Rules and Policies and policies, human resource management, infrastructure, challenges of public education and information, service delivery process, responsible organization, and service delivery model). The current service delivery model does not meet the needs of society and needs to be changed in the existing model. Therefore, it is suggested that by strengthening the Independence House at the level of the ministry and universities, providing services with a hybrid model, piloting prehospital emergency medical services by other institutions from families, municipalities, special departments in regions of the country and strengths and weaknesses and comparing it with the current situation and reflecting its results at the level of national services, prehospital services.