The Influence Of Community Chinese Medicine Service Development Policy On The Utilization Of Chinese Medicine Service For Residents

Objectives:In the context of TCM services development policies, this study focused on the "Unique TCM health management communities" in one district in Beijing. And based on a large sample empirical data and differences-in-difference (DID) method, this study analyzed the correlation of TCM services development policies and residents’ TCM services utilization. Besides, this study did deep analysis on the problems in the implementation, and explored the effective path to promote the development of community TCM services.Method:This study mainly used descriptive statistical analysis, and a more rigorous method of DID.Results:(1) TCM services supplements in community health service organizationsFrom 2009 to 2013, all costs indicators, including average annual outpatient visits, were all increasing year by year, and showed a steady growth trend.(2) Correlational analysis on community TCM services development policies and residents’ TCM services utilizationThe OLS regression results on intervention group sample showed that after the implementation of community TCM services development policies, the community residents’ proportion of self-pay per capita reduced 30.5%, and the share of Chinese drug costs per capita improved 3.1%. However, the other indicators did not change significantly.(3) The effects of community TCM services development policies on residents’ TCM services utilization based on DID modelBased on the statistical results, after the implementation of the policy, TCM services development policies did have a significant impact on the community residents’ total medical costs per capita, the total medical costs per capita increased 44.4%. However, different from the previous correlational analysis, results showed that the proportion of self-pay per capita increased 12.4% than before. In drug costs, average annual total drug costs per capita and average annual Chinese drug costs per capita all significantly increased than before. However, the share of Chinese drug costs per capita and outpatient visits per capita did not change significantly.Conclusion:(1)The utilization of community TCM services is still low. Analysis showed that, although currently residents Chinese drug costs per capita is rising year by year, but the average annual share per capita of Chinese drug costs did not change significantly. Specially, the utilization of TCM appropriate technology had always been at a low level, which is worth to pay more attention.(2) Community TCM services development policies had limited impact on residents’TCM services utilization. The empirical results showed that at the beginning of the policy implementation, community residents had a greater interest in community TCM services, and key indicators had significantly changes. However, with policy constantly advancing, community residents’ enthusiasm cooled down. In general, Community TCM services development policies had limited impact on residents’TCM services utilization in one district in Beijing.Policy suggestions:Based on empirical results, this study proposes the following policy recommendations:(1) Strengthen government supervision management, and improve service quality of Chinese medicine;(2) Further improve the medical insurance of community TCM services to enhance the level of medical care;(3) Improve the follow-up security measures of community TCM services development policies.(4) Strengthen then construction of community TCM services.(5) Carry out targeted TCM services according to meet the specific health requirement from different crowds.