Analysis of the Inpatient Spatial Flow and Influencing Factors in Sichuan Province / 中国医院管理

ABSTRACT

Objective To analysis the current situation of hospitalized patients seeking medical treatment across different counties and the influencing factors from both the inflow and outflow perspectives.Methods Using the fourth quarter data of 2019 from the medical record index,with Sichuan Province as the research area,it analyzed the spatial flow of patients based on the patient's county of residence,the county where the hospital is located,and the number of mobile patients.By combining information at the individual patient level,healthcare institution level,and county level,it established two-level random intercept logistic regression analysis to explore the influencing factors from the perspectives of inflow and outflow.Results The proportion of patients seeking medical treatment across different counties in Sichuan is 22.90%.The majority of patients,with a population of over one thousand,are concentrated in the eastern region.However,the western region has a higher proportion of patients seeking medical treatment across counties.Chengdu and Mianyang are both the largest sources and recipients of patient flows.Being Han Chinese(49%,P＜0.001),male(2%,P＜0.001),Stable income(6%,P＜0.001)and better medical insurance coverage(16%,P＜0.001)at the patient level,as well as better healthcare resources at the institutional level,and higher economic(20%,P＜0.001)and medical levels(5%,P＜0.001)at the district and county level promote patients seeking medical treatment across counties.Conclusion Hospitalized patients in Sichuan Province tend to seek medical treatment from surrounding counties towards the county centers,as well as flowing to Chengdu from various locations.Promoting hierarchical medical treatment and encouraging patients to seek appropriate medical services can be achieved through strengthening patient health education,improving healthcare service levels,and promoting coordinated development between the economy and medical industry.