Background Patient absconding from hospital is one of the permanent issues the hospitals face, which poses many risks and challenges to the patient, hospital, and society. The present study aimed to identify the reasons for patient absconding behavior for public hospitals in southeastern Iran. Methods The present study is a qualitative study which was conducted at three public hospitals in southeastern Iran using purposive sampling through semi-structured interviews with 63 informants involved in patient treatment process. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi content analysis (CCA) method. Results Three main themes of economic, social factors, and factors related to the hospital covering 15 subthemes were identified to explain the reasons for patients absconding behavior. Conclusion There are many reasons for reducing patients absconding from hospitals, and one of the main reasons is the patients’ economic and social problems. The absconding behavior can lead to harm and problems for patients, and some emotional and occupational consequences for the employees and nurses. Paying attention to this issue and considering some courses of action to prevent patient absconding might lead to a considerable promotion of public trust and eliminate many problems for hospitals.

Background Patient absconding from hospital is one of the permanent crises the hospital face which poses many risks and challenges to the patient, hospital and society. Considering the importance of this subject and numerous problems caused by this phenomenon in the hospitals, the present study aimed to identify the challenges and problems of patient absconding behavior for teaching hospitals of Kerman university of medical sciences.Methods The present study is a qualitative study which was conducted using purposive sampling through semi structured interviews with 63 informants involved in patient treatment process. Data were analyzed using Collaizi content analysis method.Results Two main themes of economic and social factors, and factors related to the hospital covering 36 subthemes were identified to explain the challenges and obstacles of patients absconding behavior. Also, three subthemes of problems for staff, patient and hospital were identified as problems resulted from patient absconding behavior.Conclusion There are many challenges and obstacles to decrease patient absconding from hospitals, and one of the main challenges is the patients’ economic and social problems. The absconding behavior can lead to harm and problems for the patient, and some emotional and occupational consequences for the employees and nurses. Paying attention to this issue and considering some courses of action to prevent patient absconding can lead to a considerable increase in the public trust and eliminate many problems for hospitals.

Background: Patient absconding from hospital is one of the permanent issues the hospitals face, which poses many risks and challenges to the patient, hospital, and society. The present study aimed to identify the reasons for patient absconding behavior for public hospitals in southeastern Iran. Methods: The present study is a qualitative study which was conducted at three public hospitals in southeastern Iran using purposive sampling through semi-structured interviews with 63 informants involved in patient treatment process. Data were analyzed using Colaizzi content analysis (CCA) method. Results: Three main themes of economic, social factors, and factors related to the hospital covering 15 subthemes were identified to explain the reasons for patients absconding behavior. Conclusion: There are many reasons for reducing patients absconding from hospitals, and one of the main reasons is the patients’ economic and social problems. The absconding behavior can lead to harm and problems for patients, and some emotional and occupational consequences for the employees and nurses. Paying attention to this issue and considering some courses of action to prevent patient absconding might lead to a considerable promotion of public trust and eliminate many problems for hospitals.