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Regional Disparity and Patients Mobility: Benefits and Spillover Effects of the Spatial Network Structure of the Health Services in China

Author

Listed:
  • Liping Fu

    (College of Management and Economics, Center for Social Science Survey and Data Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Kaibo Xu

    (College of Management and Economics, Center for Social Science Survey and Data Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
    Politics and Public Administration College, Qinghai Nationalities University, Xining 810007, China)

  • Feng Liu

    (School of Public Finance and Administration, Tianjin University of Finance & Economics, Tianjin 300222, China)

  • Lu Liang

    (College of Management and Economics, Center for Social Science Survey and Data Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

  • Zhengmin Wang

    (College of Management and Economics, Center for Social Science Survey and Data Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China)

Abstract

Background: The distribution of medical resources in China is seriously imbalanced due to imbalanced economic development in the country; unbalanced distribution of medical resources makes patients try to seek better health services. Against this backdrop, this study aims to analyze the spatial network characteristics and spatial effects of China’s health economy, and then find evidence that affects patient mobility. Methods: Data for this study were drawn from the China Health Statistical Yearbooks and China Statistical Books . The gravitational value of China’s health spatial network was calculated to establish a network of gravitational relationships. The social network analysis method was used for centrality analysis and spillover effect analysis. Results: A gravity correlation matrix was constructed among provinces by calculating the gravitational value, indicating the spatial relationships of different provinces in the health economic network. Economically developed provinces, such as Shanghai and Jiangsu, are at the center of the health economic network (centrality degree = 93.333). These provinces also play a strong intermediary role in the network and have connections with other provinces. In the CONCOR analysis, 31 provinces are divided into four blocks. The spillover effect of the blocks indicates provinces with medical resource centers have beneficial effects, while provinces with insufficient resources have obvious spillover effects. Conclusion: There is a significant gap in the geographical distribution of medical resources, and the health economic spatial network structure needs to be improved. Most medical resources are concentrated in economically developed provinces, and these provinces’ positions in the health economic spatial network are becoming more centralized. By contrast, economically underdeveloped regions are at the edge of the network, causing patients to move to provinces with medical resource centers. There are health risks of the increasing pressure to seek medical treatment in developed provinces with abundant medical resources.

Suggested Citation

  • Liping Fu & Kaibo Xu & Feng Liu & Lu Liang & Zhengmin Wang, 2021. "Regional Disparity and Patients Mobility: Benefits and Spillover Effects of the Spatial Network Structure of the Health Services in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(3), pages 1-16, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:18:y:2021:i:3:p:1096-:d:487528
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    2. Xixi Tao & Jianchu Li & Yang Gu & Li Ma & Wen Xu & Ruojiao Wang & Luying Gao & Rui Zhang & Hongyan Wang & Yuxin Jiang, 2022. "A National Quality Improvement Program on Ultrasound Department in China: A Controlled Cohort Study of 1297 Public Hospitals," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-11, December.
    3. Li Li & Qingyu Zhou & Ting Yin & Zisheng Ji & Lufa Zhang, 2021. "Does the Direct Settlement Policy of Trans-Provincial Outpatient Expenses Aggravate the Siphoning Effect? An Empirical Study on Yangtze River Delta, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-11, September.
    4. Shen, Chi & Lai, Sha & Deng, Qiwei & Cao, Dan & Zhao, Dantong & Zhao, Yaxin & Zhou, Zhongliang & Dong, Wanyue & Chen, Xi, 2023. "Do Primary Healthcare Facilities in More Remote Areas Provide More Medical Services? Spatial Evidence from Rural Western China," GLO Discussion Paper Series 1309, Global Labor Organization (GLO).
    5. Yu Yang & Yong Wang, 2022. "Analysis of the Characteristics of Cross-Regional Patient Groups and Differences in Hospital Service Utilization in Beijing," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Chenyuan Qin & Min Liu & Xin Guo & Jue Liu, 2022. "Human Resources in Primary Health-Care Institutions before and after the New Health-Care Reform in China from 2003 to 2019: An Interrupted Time Series Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(10), pages 1-10, May.

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