Equity and efficiency of health resource allocation of Chinese Medicine in mainland China: 2013 to 2017

Abstract

Background: In this study, we aimed to measure the equity, efficiency and productivity of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health resource allocation and utilization in mainland China trend from 2013 to 2017. Methods: The data were download from the China Health Statistical Yearbook (2018) and the China Statistical Yearbook (2018). The equity and efficiency of TCM health resource allocation was evaluated by Lorenz curve, Gini coefficient (G) and Theil index (T) were applied to evaluate. The efficiency and productivity of TCM health resource utilization were assessed by Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA)-based Malmquist productivity index (MPI). Results: The TCM health resource had an increasing trend every year. The equity allocated by population (Gs range from 0.1 to 0.3) was better than that by geographic region (Gs more than 0.5). Ts in the intra-groups were higher than that in the inter-groups. Most provinces (29 out of 31) had negative productivity changes, which suggested a deterioration in productivity. However, the middle region with higher scale sizes had more redundant inputs. Moreover, the low technological development (all technical values lower than 1.00) might obstacle the productive progress. Conclusion: The equity of TCM health allocated by population was better than that by the geography region. The intra-regional difference was the main reasons of the sources of inequity. The equity of TCM resource allocation was middle region ＞ eastern region ＞ western region. The productivity in more than 97% provinces are inefficient. The frequency distribution of Sech ( score ＞ 1) increased since 2015. However, the frequency distribution of Techch (score ＞ 1) decreased year by year. The slow technological progress and low scale size might the major reason for the low productivity. Keywords: TCM health resource, Equity, Efficiency, Productivity

Spatial and temporal analysis of China’s healthcare resource allocation measurements based on provincial data: 2010–2021

“…First, healthcare resource allocation equity and efficiency research. Equity and efficiency have been important issues in healthcare resource allocation (3), and there is a value-oriented game (4). Academics have discussed the issue of healthcare resource equity and efficiency from several aspects of spatial equity, differential allocation, and measurement methods.…”