The Necessity of Aligning the Human Resources Strategies of Health System with the Mega-Trends of the Older People Health Domain

Background and Objectives: Mega-trends are fundamental changes in the societies, technologies and political conditions, and create long-term changes in the community. The aim of this study was to formulate Human Resource strategies for the health system based on the mega-trends. Material and Methods: This was a descriptive, analytical study. The research community was the high-level documents and experts. Sampling for documents was conducted by census method and non-probabilistic sampling was applied for experts. The method of collecting data was mixed method in a single study. The high-level documentation of the health system was investigated by using Delphi technique. The strategic positioning of human resource in the health system was determined by the method of Snow & Miles. Then, the mega-trends of health domain in the new millennium were identified through library and internet resources, and analyzed using Trend Analysis, macro to micro scanning, expert opinion, and aging human resource strategies were written. Results: Based on the quantitative and qualitative analysis of the high-level documents of the health system by the experts and the use of the Snow & Miles method, the strategic position of the health system was "prospectors." Based on the principle of alignment and innovation in strategic human resource management, thirteen aggressive, defensive, conservative, and competitive strategies of HR for aging services were written for the maximum use of cross-sectional capacity of the health system and the provision of desirable old-age services in regard to the experts’ opinion. Conclusion: The aging HR strategies should be consistent with the needs of the elderly, high-level documents, strategic health status, and the mega-trends.