Pages: 19-44

Abstract

The studies of healthcare costs (HCC) and the factors affecting them has a long background, however there is a few studies evaluating the relationship between these factors applying a systematic review. All previous studies have been carried out taking into account only part of HC factors. Thus, studying HCC factors of three divisions of household, insurances and government (state) within an integrated review in order to submit a key performance indicators (KPI) for health costs factors in Iran health system is the objective of the current study. The author systematically searched the English and Persian languages literatures indexed in various publications. Meanwhile, the current study has considered a broader area to review which covers both methodologies and determinants of previous studies on healthcare costs, whereas the previous ones covered only one category. Quantitative descriptive, qualitative descriptive, qualitative comparative and quantitative comparative studies along with systematic reviews of healthcare costs and factors affecting them were selected to conduct the current review study. According to the results, the factors of income per capita, tax value and chronic illness affliction are the most frequent applied factors among the factors which are affecting the healthcare costs directly. Meanwhile the factors of coverages quality and job opportunities are utilized within the studies more than the other factors which affect healthcare costs indirectly. In addition, the determinants of income per capita, green manufacturing and non-price rationing are not taken enough into account in Iran comparing the other countries particularly developed countries.