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Comparison of Patients’ Perceived Quality of Primary Care Between Urban and Rural Community Health Centers in Guangdong, China

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  • Aiyun Chen

    (School of Health Management, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China
    Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA
    Research Centre of Rural Healthcare Services, School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China)

  • Shanshan Feng

    (School of Health Management, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou 511436, China)

  • Liang Zhang

    (Research Centre of Rural Healthcare Services, School of Medicine and Health Management, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan 430030, China)

  • Leiyu Shi

    (Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, John Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA)

Abstract

Background: A series of reforms were implemented to improve the quality of primary care services in China. This study aims to assess patients’ perceived quality of primary healthcare between rural and urban community health centers in Guangdong. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from July to December 2015 in Guangdong. We surveyed 1010 respondents who visited either community health centers/stations (CHCs/CHSs) in urban areas or township health centers/rural health stations (THCs/RHSs) in rural areas. A validated Chinese version of the Primary Care Assessment Tool-Adult Short Version (PCAT-AS), representing ten primary care domains, was used to collect information on patients’ primary care experiences. A t -test was used for comparison on domain scores and total scores between patients from CHCs/CHSs and THCs/RHSs. An analysis of covariance was employed to compare the adjusted PCAT domain scores and total scores. Multilevel models were used to explore factors associated with PCAT total scores. Results: Overall, patients reported a lower level of experience of community orientation and family centeredness compared to other primary care domains. Patients from THCs/RHSs settings in the rural area reported better primary care experience in four domains, including first contact, accessibility, ongoing care, and community orientation. Higher education background and those with a chronic disease were associated with better primary care experience, after controlling for confounding factors. Patients who preferred primary care institutions when getting sick or used health services more frequently reported better primary care experiences. Conclusion: Continued efforts are needed to strengthen primary care performances, particularly in a community orientation and family centeredness. Primary care delivery in CHCs/CHSs settings should be improved in four domains, including first contact, accessibility, ongoing care, and community orientation.

Suggested Citation

  • Aiyun Chen & Shanshan Feng & Liang Zhang & Leiyu Shi, 2020. "Comparison of Patients’ Perceived Quality of Primary Care Between Urban and Rural Community Health Centers in Guangdong, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(13), pages 1-16, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:13:p:4898-:d:381584
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Xiaolin Wei & Haitao Li & Nan Yang & Samuel Y S Wong & Onikepe Owolabi & Jianguang Xu & Leiyu Shi & Jinling Tang & Donald Li & Sian M Griffiths, 2015. "Comparing Quality of Public Primary Care between Hong Kong and Shanghai Using Validated Patient Assessment Tools," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(3), pages 1-15, March.
    2. Shanshan Feng & Leiyu Shi & Jiazhi Zeng & Wen Chen & Li Ling, 2017. "Comparison of Primary Care Experiences in Village Clinics with Different Ownership Models in Guangdong Province, China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(1), pages 1-14, January.
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    Cited by:

    1. Junfeng Lu & Hui Yang & Leiyu Shi & Xia Sheng & Yongjun Huo & Ruqing Liu & Ruwei Hu, 2023. "Associations between Primary Healthcare Experiences and Glycemic Control Status in Patients with Diabetes: Results from the Greater Bay Area Study, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(2), pages 1-11, January.

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