Legal and communication challenges of the clectronic health system with emphasis on service recipients - Payesh (Health Monitor)
Fri, Jan 30, 2026
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Ethics code: IR.TUMS.SPH.REC.1401.227

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1- Department of Cultural Studies and Communication, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran
2- Department of Political, International and Legal Studies, Institute for Humanities and Cultural Studies, Tehran, Iran
3- Health Metrics Research Centre, Iranian Institute for Health Sciences Research, ACECR, Tehran, Iran
4- National Center for Health Insurance Research, Tehran, Iran
Abstract:   (27 Views)
Objective(s): One of the most serious challenges in establishing an electronic health system globally and in Iran is legal and communication issues. This study was conducted to identify the Legal and Communication Challenges of the Electronic Health System with an emphasis on Service Recipients.
Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using thematic analysis, with data collected through interviews with 27 experts. The interviewees were purposefully selected based on their familiarity with the electronic health system, expertise in related legal issues, and communication within this system. Thematic analysis was performed using MAXQDA version 20 software.
Results: Four overarching themes and eleven organizing themes regarding the legal and communication challenges of the electronic health system were identified on the whole. Basic themes such as "violation of privacy, confidentiality, and freedom to control one's own information" and "electronic health architecture based on service provider regulations" were identified under the organizing theme "legal challenges at the service recipient level." Under the organizing theme "legal principles governing stakeholder communication regulations," six basic themes, including "adherence to legislative principles," were identified. The barriers arising from communication and informational challenges include four fundamental themes, such as "the patient's failure to accurately convey information due to fear of disclosure" and "the patient's perceived insecurity of the electronic environment."
Conclusion: The themes derived from the opinions of experts and experienced individuals in the electronic health system were recognized as valid. They emphasized the recognition of patients' rights to control their information, the necessity of considering the public's role in redefining the architecture of the electronic health system, and the need for comprehensive and up-to-date legislation that ensures the security of information obtained in doctor-patient communications.
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type of study: Qualitative Study | Subject: Helath Services Management
Received: 2024/09/19 | Accepted: 2025/01/27 | ePublished ahead of print: 2026/01/28

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