Open AccessAssessment of diabetes care and the healthcare system in economically and transport underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China: A cross‐sectional survey
Author(s) -
Ke Linqiu,
Zhang Yuwei,
Wang Xiaoqian,
Li Shengyong,
Yang Wei,
Tong Nanwei
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of diabetes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.949
H-Index - 43
eISSN - 1753-0407
pISSN - 1753-0393
DOI - 10.1111/1753-0407.12433
Subject(s) - medicine , diabetes mellitus , reimbursement , health care , environmental health , rural area , family medicine , emergency medicine , economic growth , pathology , endocrinology , economics
Background The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of diabetes care and characteristics of the healthcare system in underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China. Methods Questionnaires were used to collect data from 288 diabetic patients with a multistage cluster sampling method in Zhongjiang County (Sichuan Province) between October 2009 and April 2010. Sixty‐two village clinics, 23 town health centers, and a county central hospital were included to assess the availability of diabetes‐related medical resources, in addition to diabetes‐related medical insurance, reimbursement policies, and manpower. Results Of 288 patients, 38.2 % monitored their blood glucose regularly. Targets for fasting blood glucose (≤7 mmol/L) and blood pressure (≤130/80 mmHg) were achieved by 7.6 % and 9.7 % of patients, respectively. On average, each patient paid US$120 out of pocket annually for out‐patient diabetes care, with a maximum US$86 reimbursed. The county central hospital was the only healthcare facility in the county that could provide all essential diabetes‐related drugs and process‐of‐care measures and tests, except measures of HbA1c and the urinary albumin: creatinine ratio. Insulin was not available at village clinics, and only 29 % of village clinics had glucometers. “Certified” doctors were not available to provide primary care in village clinics. Conclusions The quality of diabetes care was quite poor in underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China. Recommendations for further intervention research to improve diabetes healthcare include increasing investment in medical infrastructure, improving the availability of essential drugs and process measures, organizing regular diabetes patient education, and recruiting village doctors.