A Study on the Medical Service Utilization Preferences of the Middle-Aged and the Elderly Residents in Chongqing Based on Discrete Choice Experiment
- VernacularTitle:基于离散选择实验的重庆市中老年居民医疗服务利用偏好研究
- Author:
Na WANG
1
;
Yanni TANG
;
Chunji HUANG
;
Dongdong WU
;
Zijian WANG
Author Information
1. 陆军军医大学基础医学院教育技术学教研室 重庆 400038
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
the middle-aged and elderly;
discrete choice experiment;
utilization of medical service;
preference;
Chongqing
- From:
Chinese Health Economics
2024;43(12):64-68,79
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the medical service utilization preference of middle-aged and elderly residents (aged 45 and above) in Chongqing,and provide references for the local government to further promote the hierarchical diagnosis and improve the equity and efficiency of medical service utilization. Methods:Using a discrete choice experiment method,the preferences of 576 Chongqing residents,middle-aged and elderly,under conditions of mild and severe illness were measured for 6 attributes:medical service level,doctor's level,medical service mode,registration difficulty,drug supply and medical expenses. Results:Among patients with mild conditions,the attribute level most valued is"ability to register on the same day or the next day"(β=0.298,P<0.001) . They also prefer services from lower-level medical institutions and general practitioners (β=-0.200),as well as medical services with less cost (β=-0.003) . For patients with severe conditions,the attribute level they value the most is the medical service level (authoritative hospitals)(β=0.401,P<0.001),and they prefer services with ample drug supply (β=0.223),specialists (β=0.210),specialized departments (β=0.153),and higher costs (β=0.002) . The willingness to pay for patient shows an overall lower tendency for mild conditions and a higher one for severe conditions. Conclusion:Primary healthcare institutions have played a positive role in diverting patients,yet the tiered diagnosis and treatment system still requires ongoing improvement. Patients with mild conditions prefer convenient medical services,whereas those with severe conditions favor high-quality medical services. Under the burden of serious illness,medical expenses is a secondary factor influencing patients' choice of medical care. It is recommended to enhance the capacity and accessibility of high-quality medical resources,improving infrastructure and equipment at the primary level,expanding the availability of medications at these facilities,increasing the efficiency of specialist utilization,and strengthening the coordination among healthcare delivery,medical insurance,and pharmaceutical services—the"three-medicine linkage",address the difficulties and high costs of medical treatment experienced by the public,and achieve the goal of enabling residents to access affordable,high-quality health services locally.
