Mapping the interactions of critical factors in China's first-contact healthcare systems using causal loop diagrams.

ABSTRACT: Primary healthcare plays a pivotal role in optimizing healthcare resource allocation and ensuring equitable access to services. In China, first-contact care within the tiered medical care system is essential for alleviating pressure on large hospitals and enhancing healthcare equity. However, challenges such as uneven resource distribution and low patient trust in primary institutions limit the effectiveness of first-contact care. This study aims to explore the dynamic interactions of key factors influencing first-contact effectiveness and provide evidence-based policy recommendations. A systematic approach was employed, integrating a literature review, qualitative interviews, and MICMAC structural analysis. Using Causal Loop Diagram (CLD) methodology, this study mapped the causal pathways

SUBMITTER: He W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12369161 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature