Impact of family doctors on gradient utilization of health services among diabetic patients: evidence from a real-world study.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The family doctor system plays a crucial role in promoting the gradient utilization of health resources. However, empirical evidence regarding the use of health services across different levels of care by diabetic patients under family doctor contracts remains limited. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the family doctor system on the gradient utilization of health services among diabetic patients using real-world data.

Methods

We conducted an eight-year cohort study in Shanghai from 2014 to 2021, with a final sample size of 491,674 participants, including 459,600 contracted and 32,074 non-contracted patients. We employed inverse probability weighted regression adjustment (IPWRA) and zero-inflated negative binomial regression models to estimate the net e

SUBMITTER: Fan Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12411513 | biostudies-literature | 2025

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature