The development of urban community health centres for strengthening primary care in China: a systematic literature review

Wang, H. H. , Wang, J. J., Wong, S. Y.S., Wong, M. C.S., Mercer, S. W. and Griffiths, S. M. (2015) The development of urban community health centres for strengthening primary care in China: a systematic literature review. British Medical Bulletin, 116(1), pp. 139-153. (doi: 10.1093/bmb/ldv043) (PMID:26582539)

Abstract

Introduction This review outlines the development of China's primary care system, with implications for improving equitable health care. Sources of data Government documents, official statistics, and recent literature identified through systematic searches performed on NCBI PubMed. Areas of agreement Community health centres (CHCs) are being developed as the major primary care provider in urban China, with laudable achievements. The road towards a strong primary care-led system is promising but challenging. Areas of controversy The effectiveness in improving equitable care through the expansion of primary care workforce and redesign of the social medical insurance system warrants further exploration. Growing points Healthcare disparities exist in the health system wherein universal health coverage and gatekeepers have not yet been established. Areas timely for developing research Future prospective studies should aim to provide solutions for strengthening the leading role of CHCs in providing equitable care in response to population ageing and multimorbidity challenges.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Wang, Professor Haoxiang and Mercer, Professor Stewart
• Authors: Wang, H. H., Wang, J. J., Wong, S. Y.S., Wong, M. C.S., Mercer, S. W., and Griffiths, S. M.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Health & Wellbeing > General Practice and Primary Care
• Journal Name: British Medical Bulletin
• Publisher: Oxford University Press
• ISSN: 0007-1420
• ISSN (Online): 1471-8391
• Published Online: 17 November 2015
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2015 The Authors
• First Published: First published in British Medical Bulletin 116(1): 139-153
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy