Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Services in Community Health Centers : Insights into Utilization Patterns in the Pearl River Region of China
Joint Authors
Wei, Xiaolin
Griffiths, Sian M.
Tang, Jin Ling
Wang, Jia Ji
Wong, Samuel Y. S.
Hong, Lau Chun
Ma, Polly H. X.
Wang, Harry H. X.
Chung, Vincent Chi-Ho
Source
Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Issue
Vol. 2013, Issue 2013 (31 Dec. 2013), pp.1-8, 8 p.
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Publication Date
2013-02-20
Country of Publication
Egypt
No. of Pages
8
Main Subjects
Abstract EN
In China's healthcare reform, community health centers (CHCs) are designed to take a pivotal role in providing primary care.
Whilst about 20% of all outpatient care in China is delivered by the traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) sector, hospitals, instead of CHCs, are major providers.
Using current patterns of patient utilization this study aims to inform CHCs on how they may strengthen access to TCM services.
Three thousand three hundred and sixty CHC patients from six cities within the urban Pearl Delta Region were enumerated using multistage cluster sampling.
Fifty-two percent had visited herbalists within three months with a mean visit frequency of 1.50 times.
Herbal treatments, which are cheaper than western medicines, were more popular amongst those who needed to pay out of pocket including the uninsured.
Herbal medicines appeared to be an alternative for those who are underinsured.
Acupuncturists and massage therapists were visited by smaller proportions, 6.58% and 5.98%, respectively, with a mean three-month visit of 0.27 and 0.26 times.
Access was restricted by lack of social insurance coverage.
Whilst increasing provision of TCM in CHCs might respond to patient demand, increasing insurance coverage for TCM needs to be evaluated using current evidence on safety and effectiveness.
American Psychological Association (APA)
Chung, Vincent Chi-Ho& Ma, Polly H. X.& Wang, Harry H. X.& Wang, Jia Ji& Hong, Lau Chun& Wei, Xiaolin…[et al.]. 2013. Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Services in Community Health Centers : Insights into Utilization Patterns in the Pearl River Region of China. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine،Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-471280
Modern Language Association (MLA)
Chung, Vincent Chi-Ho…[et al.]. Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Services in Community Health Centers : Insights into Utilization Patterns in the Pearl River Region of China. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine No. 2013 (2013), pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-471280
American Medical Association (AMA)
Chung, Vincent Chi-Ho& Ma, Polly H. X.& Wang, Harry H. X.& Wang, Jia Ji& Hong, Lau Chun& Wei, Xiaolin…[et al.]. Integrating Traditional Chinese Medicine Services in Community Health Centers : Insights into Utilization Patterns in the Pearl River Region of China. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 2013. Vol. 2013, no. 2013, pp.1-8.
https://search.emarefa.net/detail/BIM-471280
Data Type
Journal Articles
Language
English
Notes
Includes bibliographical references
Record ID
BIM-471280