Abstract
BackgroundDistribution equity assessment of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners is an important dimension of access to health technology. However, limited studies on the subject have been done in China. This study aims to reveal the distribution status of CT and MRI scanners and assess their distribution equity of them in China.MethodsFive provinces with 66 cities from China were selected as the study sites. Descriptive analysis was used for the absolute number and number per million population of CT and MRI scanners in the study sites. Fixed effect model was used to examine the health service factors that were associated with the allocation of CT and MRI scanners. The Gini coefficient and concentration index was used to evaluate the distribution equity of CT and MRI scanners.ResultsThe absolute number and number per million population of CT and MRI scanners in five provinces were lower than those of Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries, but annual growth rates were relatively higher from 2005 or 2006 to 2013. Population, GDP, number of hospitals, number of health professionals, number of hospital beds, number of outpatient visits, and number of inpatient visits all had a positive correlation with the allocation number of CT and MRI scanners. Moreover, the number of health professionals and the number of beds had a much closer correlation than other variables. All the Gini coefficients of CT and MRI had decreased overall. The concentration indices of CT and MRI were all positive and no more than 0.30.ConclusionsLarge gaps in the number of CT and MRI scanners per million population between China and OECD countries emerge, although the growth rate is higher in China. The distribution equity of CT and MRI scanners in China was relatively good from 2005 or 2006 to 2013. The overall distribution equity of CT and MRI scanners also improved during the period. However, consideration attention should be given to the area with large economic disparities.
Highlights
Distribution equity assessment of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners is an important dimension of access to health technology
Large gaps in the number of CT and MRI scanners per million population between China and Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries emerge, the growth rate is higher in China
The overall distribution equity of CT and MRI scanners improved during the period
Summary
Distribution equity assessment of computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners is an important dimension of access to health technology. This study aims to reveal the distribution status of CT and MRI scanners and assess their distribution equity of them in China. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanners are common medical equipment in China and play a highly important role in the diagnosis of diseases. CT and MRI scanners belong to the category of Type-IIHigh Technology Medical Equipment (HTME), and are managed by the national and provincial health departments according to the Management Methods on Allocation and Utilization of High Technology Medical Equipment issued in 2005 by the National Health and Family Planning Commission (NHFPC; formerly the Ministry of Health) [1]. The purchase of HTME can be classified into several categories, including hospital-paid, government reimbursement, government-paid and donation, among which hospital-paid is the main mode
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