Connotation of village doctors′ vulnerability based on Delphi method

Objective To define the connotation of village doctors′ vulnerability. Methods On the basis of document analysis, Delphic method was used to consult and argument the connotation of village doctors′ vulnerability from October 2015 to November 2015. Results Twenty and 16 specialists were consulted in two rounds of the consulting. According to these consultations, the acceptance rate of the specialists for the seven consulting units increased from 74.29% to 93.16%. Conclusions The vulnerability of village doctors was identified, as a status in which their self-ability and support against their exterior environment could not to cope with the disturbances they faced, while the vulnerability was co-determined by disturbance and response ability of village doctors. Key words: Health human resource; Village doctor; Vulnerability; Connotation