Synopsis of research on the role and scope of nongovernmental medkal services in China / 中华医院管理杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To find out about the development of nongovernmental medical services in China as well as the appraisals of such services by various quarters so as to provide basis for the formulation of policies for their management and development. Methods Cross-sectional studies were made in the provinces of Guangdong, Shanxi and Sichuan. By means of questionnaires and interviews, appraisals of nongovernmental medical services by residents, physicians, managers of medical institutions, investors of nongovernmental medical institutions and managers from the administrative departments of health were collected and differences in the appraisals made by people representing various interest groups were analyzed. Results Over 30% of the residents make use of nongovernmental medical services and appraisals of them surpass those of public medical services. Nongovernmental medical institutions have both advantages and disadvantages, with unfair social treatment being the major obstacle to their development. Conclusion Since nongovernmental medical services have already taken an important position in the setup of medical services of China, efforts should be made to coordinate relevant policies so as to bring their role into greater play.