An Analysis of Key Factors Influencing the Management of Treatment Centers in Rural Areas

Rural treatment centers play a critical role in delivering healthcare to geographically isolated and underserved populations, yet their management remains challenged by a complex set of structural and contextual factors that compromise service quality and equity. Unlike urban facilities, rural centers frequently contend with inadequate infrastructure, shortages of skilled health professionals, financial instability, and weak governance frameworks, all of which contribute to inefficiencies, reduced patient trust, and widening health disparities. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis of the key factors influencing the management of treatment centers in rural areas, employing a mixed-methods approach that integrates survey data from rural healthcare facilities, in-depth interviews with administrators, and comparative case studies of high- and low-performing centers. The findings indicate that workforce recruitment and retention are the most influential determinants of management effectiveness, with financial sustainability emerging as an equally pressing concern. Infrastructure deficiencies, such as limited diagnostic tools, poor transportation networks, and unreliable supply chains, further constrain the capacity of rural centers, while low adoption of digital health technologies restricts opportunities for innovative care delivery models like telemedicine. At the same time, evidence demonstrates that centers fostering strong community participation through advisory boards and local health committees achieve higher service utilization, better patient compliance, and improved resilience to systemic challenges. The research underscores the necessity of adopting an integrated management framework that simultaneously addresses human resources, financing, infrastructure, technology, and community engagement, supported by policy reforms that encourage public-private partnerships, modular funding mechanisms, and localized governance. Ultimately, the study concludes that strengthening the management of rural treatment centers requires coordinated investments and strategic practices that enhance efficiency, sustainability, and equity in service delivery, thereby contributing to the reduction of rural–urban health disparities and the promotion of more inclusive healthcare systems.

کلیدواژه ها:

Rural healthcare ، Treatment centers ، Healthcare management ، Workforce shortages ، Healthcare policy ، Rural infrastructure.