Preference for primary care in Chinese homebound patients

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Healthcare Management
• Gerontology

Background:

• Primary healthcare (PHC) is crucial for managing health needs of homebound populations.
• Understanding preferences for PHC among homebound individuals in China is vital for resource allocation.
• This study addresses a gap in knowledge regarding factors influencing PHC choice in rural vs. urban China.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the preference for primary healthcare (PHC) among homebound residents in China.
• To investigate factors associated with PHC preference in both rural and urban settings.
• To inform healthcare resource allocation and promote PHC utilization for vulnerable populations.

Main Methods:

• Nationally representative cross-sectional study using 2020 China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) data.
• Analysis included individual characteristics, family caregiving variables, and PHC preferences of homebound patients.
• Multivariable logistic regression models identified factors associated with PHC preference (ORs and 95% CIs).

Main Results:

• 58.43% of rural and 42.78% of urban homebound patients preferred PHC.
• Inpatient care and family caregiving significantly reduced PHC preference in both rural and urban areas.
• Urban participants with Non-agricultural Hukou and those in central China showed altered PHC preference.

Conclusions:

• Tailoring PHC services to vulnerable populations and prioritizing family support are recommended.
• Family-based public health strategies can enhance homebound patients' perception of PHC.
• Further research is needed on the Hukou system's impact on healthcare access for homebound individuals.