Requirement And Utilization Of Traditional Chinese Medicine By Demand-side In Chongqing

ObjectivesTo analyze the consumer behavior,clear the current situation and the development advantage in the field of TCM health services, from the perspective of health services. And summarize the factors that have influenced TCM recognition and requirement of public among consumers,in order to provide policy basis for promoting the development of TCM cause, optimized allocation of resources and constantly adjustment.MethodBased on reading clearing a mass of literature,face to face method was conducted among 1033 residents and 289 patients from 96 basic medical institutions jurisdiction. To understand the situation of TCM development,the descriptive statistical was used. Then structural equation model and logistic regression model were used to explore the factors affecting buyers to demand and use TCM service.Result1 Recognition and evaluation of TCM culture by demand-side in ChongqingDemand-side had good knowledge to the TCM culture, however the farmers’ attitude toward TCM culture was poorer then urban residents due to lower educational and economic rungs. Above a half of participants rated TCM had little side effect 、 good curative effect, but also had the disadvantages including long time to work、not convenient to take、bad taste. At the same time, due to healthcare systems was incomplete and limiting TCM resources rationally and influent the utilization of TCM.Requirement status of TCM service by demand-side in ChongqingIn the study, 73.2% respondents had requirement to use TCM, and72.3% wanted to know more knowledge about TCM. personal profile 、economic conditions、publicity and education、TCM evaluation、TCM cognitive had immediate impact to TCM. All of these, personal Profile 、economic conditions、TCM evaluation had indirect impact. From the total effect, TCM cognitive influenced the requirement of TCM most.Utilization state of TCM service by demand-side in Chongqing94.4% participants had utilized one or more of the TCM therapies in this study. Of all the TCM therapies, the most frequently used herbal medicine(77.2%) and the next TCM drink(72.8%), while appropriate technology use was poor. The most common use method on treatment was western medicine(48.9%), and only 14.8% chose TCM. Respondents with higher education level or more household annul income, working in agriculture and suffered from chronic diseases more likely to use TCMservice.ConclusionRespondents expressed interest in and need for TCM service and were supportive of TCM being part of primary health care service. However current resources of TCM service are not adequately utilized. Needs had not been satisfied in rural residents. Therefore, to develop TCM cause, we should strengthen the propaganda of TCM knowledge to rural residents,increase the capital investment into appropriate technologies equipment and expansion, expand TCM coverage of health care system. At the same time, the state organs and leading cadres in this regard should promote Integrating TCM services in primary health care medical institutions,encourage college students to working in the grass-roots level,improve the ability of TCM health service in primary care settings。The government also should establish and complete the system of legal norm on TCM,reform technology method, which achieve the great rejuvenation of TCM cause.