ABSTRACT
Objective To evaluate the current deployment of general practitioners and residents′utilization of services in China, for reference of their optimal allocation across the country. Methods The methods of HRDI and TOPSIS were used to comprehensively evaluate their deployment and residents′utilization of their services in China. Results General practitioners fall short of demand in general, averaging 0.137 1 GP per 1 000 population in China, with unbalanced regional distribution as well. Utilization of residents of general practitioners service remains at a low level, with unbalanced regional distribution as well. As shown in the comprehensive evaluation results, 87.10% of the regions were found with defective deployment and service utilization, featuring " low resources, low utilization" . Conclusions Sizable gapes are found between the eastern, the central and the western regions, in terms of allocation of resources and service utilization. The government should rationalize deployment of general practitioners and minimize such gaps among different regions, in view of local population, geography and health service needs.