Post-Acute Care in China: Development, Challenges, and Path Forward.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Policy
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Health Services Research

Background:

• China's post-acute care (PAC) system has evolved significantly over two decades.
• PAC services in China span diverse settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centers, skilled nursing facilities, community health centers, and home care.
• Patients requiring PAC typically have functional impairments post-acute hospitalization and need ongoing care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the evolution and challenges of China's post-acute care (PAC) system over the past 20 years.
• To propose actionable policy recommendations for improving the PAC system.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of policies and initiatives related to PAC system development.
• Analysis of persistent challenges in the context of global PAC practices.
• Informed by comprehensive literature reviews and expert collaborative discussions.
• Utilized government policy documents, statistical data, peer-reviewed studies, and gray literature.

Main Results:

• China has enhanced its PAC system with improved infrastructure, tiered rehabilitation networks, and innovative payment models.
• Persistent challenges include lack of clinical consensus, resource limitations (facilities and professionals), need for care coordination, and fragmented assessment/payment tools.
• Despite progress, significant hurdles remain in optimizing the PAC system.

Conclusions:

• China has achieved substantial progress in its post-acute care system over the last two decades.
• Continued policy adjustments and increased awareness are crucial for addressing existing challenges and optimizing the PAC system.
• Addressing resource constraints and standardizing assessment and payment mechanisms are key for future development.