Does contracting family doctor promote primary healthcare utilization among older adults? - evidence from a difference-in-differences analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

In 2016, the Chinese government officially scaled up family doctor contracted services (FDCS) scheme to guide patients' health seeking behavior from tertiary hospitals to primary health facilities.

Methods

This study evaluated the overall gate-keeping effects of this scheme on healthcare utilization of rural residents by using a difference-in-differences (DiD) design. The analysis was based on Shandong Rural Elderly Health Cohort 2019 and 2020. Participants who contracted FDCS in second round and were not contracted with a family doctor in the first round were regarded as treatment group. In total, 310 respondents who have used medical care were incorporated for final study.

Results

Participants who contracted FDCS (treatment group) experienced a signific

SUBMITTER: Fu P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11385809 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature