Spatiotemporal evolution of healthcare service capacity at township health centers in China

Abstract

Introduction: This study analyzes the efficiency, spatiotemporal evolution, and influencing factors of provincial township health centers' healthcare service capacity in China.

Method: It utilizes an unexpected output super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model, exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis methods, and a quantile regression model.

Results: The results show that the healthcare service capacity of township health centers is better in provinces with a larger proportion of hierarchical diagnoses and treatments pilot projects in cities, and the regional efficiency trend is ordered central > eastern > western > northeastern. The healthcare service capacity of provincial township health centers mainly shows significant spatial correlation and a spatiotemporal distribution pattern of "high agglomeration, low differentiation."

Discussion: Rural population density and per capita GDP significantly improve the healthcare service capacity of township health centers, while local governments' healthcare and health expenditure increases the healthcare service capacity of township health centers in certain quantiles. The urbanization rate and per capita disposable income inhibit the improvement of the healthcare service capacity of township health centers in certain quantiles. The provinces should accelerate the promotion of hierarchical diagnoses and treatment pilot projects in cities and establish national cooperative development models to promote public health.

Keywords: Township health center; exploratory spatiotemporal data analysis; healthcare service capacity; quantile regression; unexpected output superefficiency SBM.