Objective To analyse the content and structure of the health management policy text for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in China, and to provide a reference for the optimization and improvement of subsequent relevant policies. Methods We searched for relevant policy documents on COPD health management at the national level from January 2017 to December 2023, constructed a two-dimensional analysis framework for policy tools and chronic disease health management processes, coded and classified policy texts, and used content analysis method to analyze policy texts. Results Twenty-four policy texts were included. There were 183 codes for policy tool dimension, with supply based, environmental based, and demand based tools accounting for 43.72%, 47.54%, and 8.74%, respectively. There were 124 codes for the dimension of health management processes, with health information collection and management accounting for 12.10%, risk prediction accounting for 14.52%, intervention and treatment accounting for 66.13%, and follow-up and effectiveness evaluation accounting for 7.26%. Conclusions At present, the proportion of policy tools related to the management of COPD in China needs to be dynamically adjusted. Environmental tools should be appropriately reduced, the internal structure of supply tools should be optimized, the driving effect of demand tools should be comprehensively enhanced, the coupling of COPD health management processes should be strengthened, and the relevant policy system and overall quality should be continuously improved.
Objectives To establish a course evaluation model for overseas medical students in West China Medical School of Sichuan University, to identify problems in teaching and to solve problems based on evidence so as to futher improve the quality of teaching. Methods We conducted a preliminary course evaluation to determine the limitations of our evaluation methods and to convey our intention to related stakeholders. Firstly, we identified problems in teaching according to the feedback from our students using a questionnaire. Secondly, we proposed an initial list of possible solutions to these problems based on evidence from literature searching and discussion within the Department of Teaching Affairs. We submitted the initial list to the administrative departments, teaching departments (teachers) and students to identify applicable solutions through two rounds of formal consensus. Their attitudes to this procedure of evaluation and decision-making were collected. Finally, incentives were given out by administrative departments and teaching departments to facilitate the implementation of applicable solutions. Results Teachers’ English ability and the didactic teaching methods were the most concerned problems. In addition, some semesters and courses were not well arranged and there was not enough practice time. An initial list of 14 items was submitted to teaching departments and students. They all agreed with the procedure of evaluation and decision-making. We also found that some aspects of the evaluation methods and styles need to be improved. An additional paper would report further results. Conclusion This preliminary evaluation was helpful for improving teaching and formal evaluation in the future. We need to strengthen the English language skills of younger faculty and gradually adopt a model of student-centered and enquiry-based teaching. This process of evaluation and improvement should be applied as a long-term policy and an evidence-based research group should be established to work together with our quality assurance unit.
In the context of actively coping with aging, China has introduced a series of health care integration policies. Using the advocacy coalition framework theory, this paper aims to analyze the process of health care integration policy changes in China from three dimensions: policy beliefs, external events and policy learning. The policy subsystem of health care integration in China includes two coalitions: top-down cascade promotion and bottom-up absorption and radiation. External events and policy learning triggered policy change, where policy learning included endogenous learning within the coalition and exogenous learning between the coalitions. A policy impasse occurs when the two advocacy coalitions are at odds, and policy brokers and professional forums can get rid of the policy impasse. In the process of policy change in China’s health care integration, the two major advocacy coalitions have reached a certain consensus. It is recommended to alleviate the problems in the integration of health care by strengthening the external factors in the change of health care policy, enhancing the policy learning in the change of health care policy, and making full use of the information resources in the change of health care policy, so as to promote the high-quality development of the integration of health care.
ObjectiveTo investigate the variations in patient hospitalization expenses before the enforcement of the centralized procurement policy, after the implementation of the drug centralized procurement policy, and after the introduction of the consumables centralized procurement policy. The efficacy of the centralized procurement policy will also be examined. MethodsThis retrospective study utilizes data obtained from the medical records homepage of the Health Information Statistics Center under the Health Commission of Gansu Province. It included 32 938 inpatients who underwent PCI surgery for coronary heart disease in Gansu province between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2022. A double-breakpoint interrupted time series model was employed to analyze the fluctuation trends in hospitalization costs among patients across various stages of the centralized procurement policy's implementation. ResultsThroughout the three phases of implementing the centralized procurement policy, the average total hospitalization costs were RMB 46 149.49 yuan, RMB 46 629.12 yuan, and RMB 28 771.76 yuan, respectively. After the centralized procurement policy with a focus on drug volume was initiated, there was an immediate reduction in average total hospitalization costs, drug costs, consumable costs, and medical service fees by 4.64%, 5.62%, 18.12%, and 8.85%, respectively. However, there was a subsequent increase of 25.28% in average medical service fees. Following this phase, average out-of-pocket costs, treatment costs, and other expenses exhibited a consistent upward trajectory, increasing by an average of 2.23%, 1.51%, and 1.21% per month. Upon the introduction of the centralized procurement policy for consumables, there was an immediate surge of 23.75% in average medical service fees, while average total hospitalization costs, out-of-pocket costs, consumable costs, treatment costs, and rehabilitation costs experienced a gradual decline. ConclusionThe enforcement of centralized procurement policies for drugs and consumables has effectively managed to reduce hospitalization costs for patients undergoing PCI surgery due to coronary heart disease, thereby easing the financial burden on patients. However, changes in consumable costs and average medical service fees were relatively modest. Going forward, it is essential to refine the centralized procurement policy concerning consumables, improve the compensation mechanism for medical service pricing, and enhance the overall value proposition of medical services.
ObjectivesTo analyze the characteristics six types of cross-regional cancer patients and their medical behavior in Beijing.MethodsWe described the characteristics of cross-regional patients, analyzed the differences between cross-regional and local patients, and identified the key factors by analyzing the influencing factors of patient's cross-regional behavior to factors by using binary logistic regression model.ResultsCompared with local patients, cross-regional cancer patients had the following characteristics: consisting primarily of young and middle-aged workforce, simpler disease status and those more inclined to choose special hospital and surgical treatment.ConclusionsPromoting the construction of regional oncology medical center can meet the needs of cross-regional patients and relieve the pressure of medical treatment in large cities caused by cross-regional medical treatment behavior.
Objective To discuss the epidemiological characteristics of young and middle-aged people infected with COVID-19 in Gansu province under the new epidemic policy. Methods A total of 1800 people were collected from two tertiary hospitals in Gansu province from November 8, 2022 to January 28, 2023. The vaccination status, nucleic acid antigen detection, the specific time of infection, main symptoms and severity of the disease were investigated. Results Among 1800 participants, 1685 (93.6%) were vaccinated and 1565 (86.9%) were infected with COVID-19. Among the 1565 infected persons, 523 (33.4%) completed both nucleic acid and antigen testing, 382 (24.4%) completed nucleic acid testing, 490 (31.3%) completed antigen testing, 170 (10.9%) received IgG testing. 1490 (95.2%) were slight ill, 75 (4.8%) were critical ill, and 96 (6.1%) were hospitalized, and no one died. In 2022, 92 cases (5.9%) were infected in the first half of November, 141 cases (9.1%) in the second half of November, 630 cases (40.3%) in the first half of December, and 553 cases (35.4%) in the second half of December. 109 cases (7.0%) were infected in the first half of January, 38 cases (2.2%) in the second half of January, and 2 cases (0.1%) in the first half of February of 2023. and no cases in the second half of February. Among the 1565 infected persons, 825 (52.7%) had respiratory symptoms, 293 (18.7%) had gastrointestinal symptoms, 257 (16.4%) had autonomic disorders, 140 (8.9%) had other symptoms such as decreased smell and taste, and 48 (3.3%) had no symptoms after infection. Conclusions The vaccination rate of young and middle-aged people in Lanzhou city of Gansu Province is high. Since the new policy, the infection rate of the novel coronavirus among young and middle-aged people is high, the number of antigen tests is more than nucleic acid tests, most of the infected patients are slight, with fewer critical patients, and the hospitalization rate is low. The peak of infection occurred in early December 2022, and the infection rate was basically zero by February 2023. The main symptoms of COVID-19 infection are mainly respiratory tract, followed by digestive tract and autonomic nervous system disorders, and few patients are completely asymptomatic.
ObjectivesTo evaluate the intention of having a second child among females of childbearing age after the implementation of China’s universal two-child policy so as to provide evidence for further studies.MethodsCNKI, VIP, WanFang Data, CSSCI, PubMed, EMbase and ScienceDirect databases were electronically searched to collect cross-sectional studies on the intention of females of childbearing age to have a second child from January 1st, 2016 to August 31st, 2019. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using R software.ResultsA total of 15 studies involving 18 820 cases were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that the fertility rate for the second child of females of childbearing age was 0.42 (95%CI 0.37 to 0.47), and the result was stable. Subgroup analysis showed that the fertility rate of second child in eastern region was higher than that in western region (0.44 vs. 0.40), in rural areas was higher than that in non-rural areas (0.46 vs. 0.35), females aged 18 to 34 was higher than those aged above 35 (0.49 vs. 0.29), and non-working females was higher than that among working females (0.48 vs. 0.40). The fertility rate of the sex of the first child being female was higher than the sex of the first child was male (0.48 vs. 0.39). The fertility rate of the couple who were both the non-only child was higher than the couple who were both the only child and who was only child while the other was non-only child (0.46 vs. 0.41 vs. 0.40).ConclusionsSince the implementation of the “universal two-child policy” in China, the fertility rate of females of childbearing age with the intention of having a second child is lower, especially those females who are from the western regions and non-rural areas, aged above 35 and the sex of the first child is male and non-dual-non-couples. Due to the quantity and quality of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify the above conclusions in future.
Objective To re-estimate price elasticity of different income groups’ demand for cigarette in terms of the lastest national tobacco consumption data and provide policy-makers with evidence to make decision on public policy of tobacco control. Methods A total of 16 056 adults of different income were surveyed in 27 provinces in 2002 and the data analyzed by using two-part model (logistic and log-linear model). Results We found that the demand elasticities were -0.589, -0.234, -0.017 and 0.247 for the poor group, low income group, middle income group and high income group, respectively. Conclusions Increasing tobacco tax will result in decreasing more cigarette consumption of lower income groups than higher groups, bearing more taxation of higher income groups than lower income groups, therefore tobacco taxation is not regressive.
ObjectivesTo explore the poor population’s cognition and satisfaction on medical assistance policies in Sichuan province, so as to provide evidence for improving health poverty alleviation policies.Methods A telephone survey was conducted between October and December 2017 among 1 280 poor individuals in Sichuan Province, with multi-stage stratified random sampling. The contents of the survey included general demographics of the poor population, and knowledge and satisfaction of health poverty alleviation policies.ResultsThe awareness rate of medical assistance policy was 91.80%, and the satisfaction rate was 91.88%. Poor individuals from non-poor counties, who had been out of poverty, and who reported that they had not signed up for family doctors, had low awareness of poverty alleviation policies. Poor individuals from non-poor counties, who usually went to the municipal hospital, who reported that they have not signed up for family doctors, and who do not know about health policies for poverty alleviation had a lower satisfaction rate.ConclusionsThe overall awareness rate and satisfaction rate of medical assistance policies in Sichuan province are relatively high, however, there are still some shortage. In the future, more attention should be paid to strengthen the promotion of health poverty alleviation policies for non-poor areas and those who had been lifted out of poverty, speeding up the contract service of family doctors and exploring ways to further alleviate the burden of medical expense of patients with serious diseases.