Text analysis of China′s family physicians contracted service policy based on policy tools

Abstract

Objective To analyze the policy texts related to the contracted service of family physicians, and probe into the key points and existing problems of the policy in the process of promoting the contracted service of family physicians in China, for the purpose of providing references for the optimization and perfection of the system. Methods A total of 54 relevant policy texts issued by the Central Government from 2011 to 2019 were selected, for establishing a two-dimensional analysis framework based on policy tools and stakeholders.By means of quantitative analysis of policy text and literature research method, we analyzed the relevant policy texts. Results Study of the 54 texts found 52.8%(124/235)mentioned commands and regulatory tool use, 27.2%(64/235)mentioned capacity building tool use, 13.2%(31/235)mentioned information and exhortation tool use, 5.1%(12/235)only mentioned incentive tool use, and 1.7%(4/235)only mentioned system change tool use; while most of them(34.3% and 32.7%)mentioned government and physicians, and only a few(17.6% and 15.4%)mentioned patients and medical entities. Conclusions It is suggested to optimize the policy tools mixture, and increase the use of incentive tools to physicians, and explore new forms of system change tools.It is also proposed to pay more attention to resource allocation of primary medical institutions, and to patient awareness and satisfaction. Key words: Family physicians; Contracted service; Policy tool; Text analysis