Status research of village doctors′ vulnerability in Shandong province based on the set pair analysis

Objective To explore the current status of village doctors′ vulnerability in Shandong province in the context of ongoing healthcare reform. Methods A cross-section study was conducted from October 2015 to November 2015 based on a self-designed questionnaire for village doctors. The questionnaire included 6 parts: fundamental state, disturbance from surroundings, disturbance from job, emotional support, instrumental support and self-ability of village doctors. Mean and standard deviation were adopted to describe the level of disturbance and support. Quadrant analysis was adopted to analyze village doctors′ vulnerability. The set pair analysis was adopted to calculate the vulnerability index and sample cluster analysis was adopted to classify village doctors based on the vulnerability index. Results The total disturbance score was 3.39±0.46, and contribution from professional risk was the biggest(19.95%). The self-ability score was 3.33±0.40, and contribution from financial support was the smallest(4.09%). According to the set pair analysis, village doctors′ vulnerability total score was 0.49±0.06, ranging in a medium category. According to the sample cluster analysis, 27.2%(277/1 018)of the village doctors stayed at the upper category, as 30.3%(309/1 018) was defined as a medium category. According to the quadrant analysis, 35.5%(361/1 018)of the village doctors were found as in crisis vulnerability. Conclusions In general, village doctors′ vulnerability stays in the medium category. They have to fight against high disturbance from surroundings, with more emotional support and less financial support expected. Key words: Health human resource; Village doctor; Vulnerability; Set pair analysis; Shandong province