Internet Medicine
Evaluation of accessibility and quality of diagnosis and treatment services of Internet hospitals in China
Li Wenmin, Wu Yangyujuan, Hu Zimu, Tan Zhao, Zhang Weihui, Zhu Huimin, Huang Zhiwei, Chen Yao, Li Tingting, Wang Zilong, Bu Yunke
Published 2024-04-02
Cite as Chin J Hosp Admin, 2024, 40(4): 286-291. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn111325-20231008-00203
Abstract
ObjectiveTo evaluate the healthcare accessibility and quality of diagnosis and treatment services of Internet hospitals in China.
MethodsOne hundred and eighty Internet hospitals in 60 cities were seleted based on the sampling of development levels in the eastern, central and western regions of China. From April to May 2023, standardized patients methodology was applied to evaluate the accessibility(including the number of Internet hospitals, functional settings, online doctor status, the doctor′s attending rate and consultation fees) and diagnosis and treatment service quality(including the diagnosis and treatment services quality, response speed and patient′s evaluation) of Internet hospitals.
ResultsThe average opening rate of Internet hospitals in China was 52.9% (560/1 058), the average online rate of doctors was 64.2% (1 099/1 713), the average doctor′s attending rate was 33.6% (112/333), the average consultation fee was 4.85 yuan, the average score of consultation was 1.92 out of 9, the average score of diagnosis and treatment was 1.12 out of 4, the average score of the response speed was 1.70 out of 3, and patient satisfaction was 2.73 out of 3.
ConclusionsThe Internet hospital accessibility in China is unevenly developed, and the overall quality of diagnosis and treatment is low. It is recommended to accurately position and optimize the function of Internet hospital, establish the incentive mechanism for online consultation doctors, construct and improve the regulatory system of Internet hospital diagnosis and treatment, so as to improve the accessibility and quality of diagnosis and treatment of Internet hospitals.
Key words:
Internet hospital; Accessibility; Standardized patients; Online consultation; Patients; Evaluation
Contributor Information
Li Wenmin
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Wu Yangyujuan
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Hu Zimu
School of Liberal Arts and Communications, Hubei University of Science and Technology, Xianning 430073, China
Tan Zhao
Science and Education Department, Huizhou No.2 People′s Hospital, Huizhou 516000, China
Zhang Weihui
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Zhu Huimin
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Huang Zhiwei
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Chen Yao
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Li Tingting
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Wang Zilong
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
Bu Yunke
School of Public Administration, Hubei University, Wuhan 430030, China
