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From conventional healthcare to e-health: Social and spatial transformation. Using a comparison between HK and mainland China

Author

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  • Carine Milcent

    (PSE - Paris School of Economics - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement, PJSE - Paris Jourdan Sciences Economiques - UP1 - Université Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne - ENS-PSL - École normale supérieure - Paris - PSL - Université Paris Sciences et Lettres - EHESS - École des hautes études en sciences sociales - ENPC - École nationale des ponts et chaussées - CNRS - Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique - INRAE - Institut National de Recherche pour l’Agriculture, l’Alimentation et l’Environnement)

Abstract

Background and Aim: Does spatial organization of healthcare access still matter in China? I assess how e-health has transformed the notion of healthcare access and what spatial dimension of healthcare means in China today and in the near future. I also consider a dynamic perspective to propose keys to anticipate upcoming changes. Hong Kong has a very efficient healthcare system with a dense network of high-level hospitals and a high level of healthcare access. In major Chinese urban centers, a deliberate policy to improve healthcare availability has resulted in a spectacular increase in the number of healthcare structures over the last two decades. This includes urban healthcare centers and outpatient clinics. Nevertheless, the most of the population faces explicit and implicit financial penalties to get full healthcare access. To solve the problem, a digital health revolution is emerging. Methods: I use a qualitative case study approach. I conducted a series of semi-structured, face-to-face interviews to evaluate experiences, expectations, and opinions of patients regarding healthcare access and its associated financial burden as well as their use of digital health. Results: I assessed how e-health has transformed the notion of healthcare access and what spatial dimension of healthcare means today and in the near future in China. I also considered a dynamic perspective to propose keys to anticipate upcoming changes. Healthcare centers tend to shift from a place to get cured to a link within an e-healthcare pathway. For instance, this is a place to get e-prescribed medication. Advantages of this shift include a reduction in the cost of healthcare and remote access to highly qualified medical staff, bypassing the lack of trust in the quality of care offered in local hospitals. Conclusion: A forward-looking approach suggests that e-healthcare is becoming the entry point to healthcare for a large part of the population. Relevance to Patients: This study informs the policy makers of upcoming changes, and contributes to understanding and anticipating modifications needed in the healthcare system.

Suggested Citation

  • Carine Milcent, 2021. "From conventional healthcare to e-health: Social and spatial transformation. Using a comparison between HK and mainland China," PSE-Ecole d'économie de Paris (Postprint) hal-03494142, HAL.
    • Handle: RePEc:hal:pseptp:hal-03494142
    DOI: 10.18053/jctres.07.202105.010
    Note: View the original document on HAL open archive server: https://hal.science/hal-03494142v1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Fitzner, Karen A. & Coughlin, Sheryl & Tomori, Cecilia & Bennett, Charles L., 2000. "Health care in Hong Kong and mainland China: one country, two systems?," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(3), pages 147-155, October.
    2. Fitzner, Karen A. & Coughlin, Sheryl & Tomori, Cecilia & Bennett, Charles L., 2000. "Erratum to `Health care in Hong Kong and mainland China: one country, two systems?': [Health Policy 53 (2000) 147-155]," Health Policy, Elsevier, vol. 54(2), pages 161-159, November.
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