Research On The Current Situation And Development Of Chinese Doctor Groups

ObjectiveIt is intended to analyze the status quo and development of physician groups in China.Specifically,the development status and problems of physician groups in China are summarized by literature review and the latest reports.Other problems such as the needs of physicians to cognize physician groups and their business status are summarized by interview and questionnaire survey.Suggestions are finally provided to standardize the development of physician groups in China based on leading international standards.Methods(1)Literature reviewThe concepts,historical evolution and management modes of foreign physician groups and their management measures for physicians(e.g.working condition,compensation structure and mode of payment)were summarized by reviewing the literature regarding the policies,laws and operations of foreign physician groups,so as to provide a reference for the development of China's physician groups.(2)InterviewAn in-depth interview with officials of the National Health Commission and the founders or senior managers from 15 physician groups(1-2 hours in length)were conducted to understand the medical education and research and internal operations of each physician group and provide suggestions for the future development planning of China's physician groups.(3)Questionnaire surveyThe clinicians in Beijing were surveyed by questionnaire to understand how they know and cognize physician groups and define their positioning in physician groups from the perspective of actual demand.Statistical analysis was used to identify the influence of different professional titles on their cognition and demand for physician groups,and how physicians from different regions understand physician groups.(4)5W2H analysisBy means of the 5W2H approach,physician groups were thoroughly analyzed in terms of service content,practitioners,development orientation in different periods,development perspectives,reasons for strategic positioning,specific implementation methods and profit models,so as to provide a reference for the development of physician groups.ResultsThe development bottleneck of China's physician groups reveals a range of problems that the country has to face in its path to medical reform.Due to the lack of adequate supporting policies,the new concepts imported from abroad cannot be localized in China,as evidenced by the facts below.(1)Business orientation and business model:from a macroscopic perspective,the registered content does not comply with the scope of services in reality,while the enterprises follow unreasonable business orientation.Moreover,some microcosmic problems in discipline expansibility,brand building and cost control have impeded the sustainable operations and development.(2)Cooperation model:as long as the existing system framework remains unchanged,it is difficult for physician groups and medical institutions(especially public hospitals)to cooperate and share profits in a win-win way.Public hospitals cannot operate jointly with non-public organizations.Due to the legal risk of losing state-owned assets,it is difficult for public hospitals to obtain their due income from cooperation.Finally,the defects above discourage both sides from establishing a long-term partnership based on mutual benefit and reciprocity.(3)Source of patients:the supporting mode of insurance restricts the deep cooperation with one business group.The basic medical insurance of patients can be only paid in designated medical institutions.Since the patients cannot be fully covered and supported by insurance,it is difficult to maintain a reliable source of patients.(4)Human resources:whether physicians have a formal identity as permanent employee in their "danwei"(or work units)leads to the shortage of high-quality talents in physician groups.Physicians on the physician platform do not have any access to medical teaching and research or a bright career prospect since no sufficient room for occupational promotion can be provided to them.Nowadays,physician groups are not attractive enough to employ a large number of high-quality talents.Given that part-time physicians are unable to invest all of their energy and time in the work of physician groups,their quality of service will be affected.Suggestions(1)Define a reasonable business orientation and business model(2)Cooperate with external stakeholders in diverse ways(3)Explore the possibility of integrating medical care and insurance(4)Strengthen human resources management...