Analysis of influence factors for rural doctors to embrace the essential medicine system

Abstract

Objective To analyze the policy support of rural doctors for the essential medicine system, and explore the main influence factors and mechanism affecting the support degree. Methods 621 rural doctors from five cities in Shandong province were subject to a stratified random sampling for a quantitative questionnaire, to build a hypothesis model of policy support of rural doctors, which is verified using factor analysis and path analysis. Results 59.1% of rural doctors support the essential drugs policy.It was found that the essential medicine factor, the factor to influence the practitioner, and the supporting policy factor had a direct impact on policy support of rural doctors, with the effect of 0.305, 0.159 and 0.135 respectively; Essential medicine factor and the supporting policy factor indirectly influence the policy support of rural doctors through the factor to influence practitioners, with the effect of 0.065 and 0.032 respectively. Conclusion The essential medicine system needs to emphasize such rationality as the quality, list and pricing of essential medicines; it is imperative for the government to better oversee the purchase and supply of essential drugs, to cater to the interests of rural doctors, to encourage the enforcement of the system, and promote the development of village clinics. Key words: Rural doctors; Essential medicine; Support of policy; Influence