A Study on the characteristics of Chinese medical care consumers and choice of medical care providers

중국 현지 의료소비자의 특성 및 의료기관 선택 연구

  • Kim, Ji Man (Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Lee, Sang Gyu (Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Shin, Jaeyong (Department of Preventive Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine) ;
  • Song, Joo Young (Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University) ;
  • Lee, Ye Seol (Department of Public Health, Graduate School, Yonsei University) ;
  • Kim, Tae Hyun (Graduate School of Public Health, Yonsei University)
  • 김지만 (연세대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 이상규 (연세대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 신재용 (연세대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 송주영 (연세대학교 보건대학원) ;
  • 이예슬 (연세대학교 대학원 보건학과) ;
  • 김태현 (연세대학교 보건대학원)
  • Received : 2018.01.19
  • Accepted : 2018.03.12
  • Published : 2018.03.31

Abstract

Purposes: This study identifies local Chinese consumers' standard for selecting medical care provider and their standard for choosing medical staff, as well as their expectations and concerns regarding Korean medical care providers. Methodology: A survey was conducted in China, to identify Chinese medical care consumers' standards for selecting a medical provider and the factors that influence their use of general hospitals. A total of 1,500 people across three cities, between the ages 18 and 60 participated in the survey. Moreover, a multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the factors that affect Chinese medical care consumers' use of general hospitals. Findings: A total of 75.5 percent respondents chose general hospitals as their most frequently-used medical provider. Those who have health insurance, visit general hospitals as outpatients or are hospitalized more frequently than those who do not have a health insurance. Furthermore, those who have private insurance visit general hospitals as outpatients or are hospitalized more frequently than those who are not signed up for private insurance. Major standards for selecting a hospital included: the doctor's skills, word-of-mouth regarding the hospital, and distance to the hospital from the respondents' home. Standards for choosing medical personnel included word-of-mouth regarding the medical team, recommendations from family members or acquaintances, and medical team's notoriety. Friends and neighbors, family members, television and other media outlets were the channels for acquiring information on a hospital. It was found that Chinese people mostly visit the cardiovascular department of Korean hospitals for treatment. For using Korean hospitals in China, the majority of respondents answered that they were concerned about the cost. Practical Implications: Backed by highly skilled medical experts and cutting-edge technology, Korean medical care providers are attempting to enter China's medical care market. To succeed in China's medical care market, it is vital to conduct a clear and precise analysis.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

Supported by : 연세대학교 보건대학원

References

  1. Ha JB, Yang JY. Overseas expansion of healthcare system and attraction of international patients. KHIDI Brief 2017;233:1-12.
  2. The State Council of the People's Republic of China. The plan for the development of health services with Chinese medicines [Internet]. Beijing: The State Council of the People's Republic of China; 2013 [citied 2017 Dec 27]. Available from http://www.gov.cn/zwgk/2013-10/14/content_2506399.htm
  3. Ministry of Health of the People's Republic of China. China's Health and family planning statistical yearbook 2014. Beijing: Peking Union Medical College Press: 2014.
  4. Zhang Y, Huang J. China's 13th five year plan: health and aged care. Shanghai: King&Wood Mallesons: 2016.
  5. 중국 중앙 제13.5(2016-2020년) 국민경제와 사회발전계획 수립에 대한 건의
  6. WHO Global health expenditure database statistics [Internet]. Geneva: WHO; 2015 [cited 2017 Dec 27]. Available from http://apps.who.int/nha/database
  7. World Bank Open data [Internet]. Washington DC: World bank; 2015 [cited 2017 Dec 27]. Available from http://data.worldbank.org
  8. Choi CH, Kim JD. The next 5 years will be a watershed for the expansion to China's medical market. Trade Focus 2014;13(34):1-15.
  9. KHIDI. A study on strategies of healthcare services for entry into China. 2013.
  10. Liu Y, Xue Y, Liu G, Ma A. Development of foreign invested hospitals in China: obstacles and coping strategies. J Hosp Adm 2013;2(3):142-150.
  11. Kim KJ. Globalization of healthcare services in Korea: trends and challenges. Korean J Hosp Manag 2016;21(2):63-72.
  12. KIHASA. Improving the sustainability of healthcare delivery in line with NHI coverage enhancement. 2013.
  13. Park SB, Jeong KH. The determinants of private health insurance and its effects on medical utilization in Korea. Korean J Insurance 2011;88:23-49.
  14. You CH, Kang SW, Kwon YD, Oh EH. The effects of supplementary private health insurance on healthcare utilization and expenditures: indemnity vs fixed-benefit. Korean Social Security Studies 2011;27(1):277-292.
  15. Yu SY, Kim EH. A study on factors in selecting of hospital: focus on medical advertising implication. Korean J Advertising 2006;17(5):201-214.
  16. Kim JH. A study on inforamtion search activity of medical service [dissertation]. Seoul: Seoul National University;1995.
  17. Swartz TA, Stephens N. Information search for services: the maturity segment. Adv Consum Res 1984;11(1):244-249.