[Organizational structure of the health information management departments in hospitals: a new model for Iran]

To provide a new, appropriate model for organizational structure of the medical records departments [MRDs] and information functions in hospitals in Iran. This was a Two-Phase study: the first phase was a situational analysis of the current organizational structure model of MRDs in Iranian hospitals. In the second phase, through a comparative study of three developed countries, the US, England and Australia, a suggested model was developed and its validity was evaluated using the Delphi technique by means of a valid and reliable questionnaire. The first phase showed that the current organizational structure of Iranian MRDs is not appropriate for the efficient management of health care information. In addition, there were no appropriate structures to provide comprehensive information management services. The findings of the Delphi technique showed that most of the experts believed that the restructuring MRDs was necessary and that the majority were agreed the model purposed and considered it to be appropriate and applicable for Iranian hospitals. The restructuring MRDs in Iranian hospitals are necessary and the approved model can improve the health information management processes in Iranian hospitals. Indeed, the implementation of the model is strongly recommended