Analysis of Resource Allocation Fairness of Registered Nurses in the Guangdong Province

Abstract

Background This study aimed to assess the fairness of resource allocation of registered nurses in the Guangdong Province, based on the Healthy China strategy. It aimed to identify the issues with resource allocation fairness and provide optimisation suggestions. Methods To assess the allocation fairness of registered nurses, the study used the Gini coefficient, health resource density index, Lorenz curve, and index of dissimilarity. Additionally, the study employed three methods to calculate the Gini coefficient to analyse equity among registered nurses. Results In 2021, the allocation of registered nurses in hospitals accounted for 71.22% of registered nurses in the province, that of registered nurses in general hospitals accounted for 72.73% of the hospitals, and that of registered nurses in tertiary medical institutions accounted for 62.28% of the medical institutions at all levels. In terms of health resource allocation density, the demographic density of registered nurses in Guangzhou and Zhuhai was greater than 1; the difference index was 0.44 and 0.43 by geography and population, respectively. Calculated by population, three methods were used to calculate the Gini coefficient, taking the mean value to be 0.31; according to the geographical distribution, the average of the three calculation methods was taken, and the Gini index of registered nurses in the functional districts was 0.39. Conclusion When considering the geographical allocation, it is evident that there are disparities in the fair distribution of registered nurses in Guangdong. Specifically, the allocation of registered nurses in the west wing of the coastal economic belt and the ecological development zone (mountain area) of northern Guangdong is insufficient, as indicated by the Gini coefficient of different functional zones. This study recommends improving regional coordinated development to enhance the fairness of registered nurses’ allocation in the Guangdong province.