Quality of primary health care in China: an analysis of data from a nationwide longitudinal survey

Abstract

BackgroundChina has made remarkable efforts and achievements since its health reform in 2009, yet there are substantial knowledge gaps in the quality of primary health care (PHC) in China. We aimed to assess the quality of PHC in China by analysing hospital admission rates among diabetics, a frequently used quality indicator for PHC. MethodsWe obtained data from a nationwide longitudinal survey for 1006, 1472, and 1771 participants with diabetes who were surveyed as part of China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study in 2011, 2013, and 2015, respectively. We described and analysed primary care coverage and hospital admission rates (proportion of patients with diabetes who were admitted to hospital) to assess the quality of PHC in eastern, central, and western China. Primary care coverage included proportion of patients who received diabetes-related health education, examinations, and treatments. We used logistic regressions to model the changes of primary care coverage and hospital admission rates in 2011–15 by adjusting for sociodemographic variables. Ethical approval is not applicable in this study as we use anonymised secondary data. FindingsHealth education coverage decreased significantly in 2011–15 (76·17% in 2011, 73·15% in 2013, and 70·15% in 2015; OR 0·747 [95% CI 0·62–0·90]) whereas the proportion of patients who received diabetic-related examinations and medical treatments remained largely unchanged (78·88% in 2011, 78·35% in 2013, and 81·45% in 2015; OR 1·18 [95% CI 0·95–1·45]). Moreover, the proportion of patients who received diabetic-related examinations in the west was lower than that in the east (OR 0·52 [0·35–0·76]). Diabetes-related hospital admission rates increased from 4·01% in 2011 to 6·08% in 2013 (OR 1·47 [0·97–2·22]), and recurrent hospital admission rates increased from 18·87% in 2011 to 28·45% in 2015 (OR 1·78 [1·44–2·20]). Both diabetes-related admission rates (OR 1·80 [1·13–2·87]) and recurrent hospital admission rates (OR 1·92 [1·50–2·45]) were higher in the west than in the east. InterpretationJudging by the patient-reported process and outcome indicators studied, quality of PHC has not improved in China between 2011–2015. Continuous evidence-based monitoring, evaluation and reporting of PHC quality are crucial for accomplishing the goals of health-care system reform in China. FundingChina Medical Board (grant number CMB-OC-16-259).