Study on the social functions and roles of public hospitals / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

This paper analyzed the social functions and roles played by public hospitals. Whatever the health system looks like National Health Services or Social Health Insurance, the functions of the public hospitals in society can be summarized as the following: Firstly, they are the providers of medical services with equal access by the residents. Secondly, they are the important components of the medical security system. Thirdly, they are the positive influencing forces in the medical market. Fourthly, they are the security forces for the nation and society. Fifthly, they are the incubator for training of human resources for health and lastly, they are also the developer of medical sciences. Hence, the existence and well-functioning of public hospitals are very crucial to meet the goal of universal coverage for basic health demands of the whole population.