[Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analysis of diagnosis-related group in schistosomiasis control]

As a novel healthcare management tool, diagnosis-related group (DRG) plays a significant role in standardization of medical behaviors, reduction of medical costs, and improvements of the utilization efficiency of medical resources. This article analyzes internal and external factors pertaining to the application of DRG in schistosomiasis control through a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis and discusses potential impacts, challenges, and development opportunities. DRG has shown significant potential in optimizing resources, standardizing diagnosis and treatment, and reducing expenses; however, it also suffers from problems of a great difficulty in grouping and a low informatization level at grassroots institutions. Optimization of diagnosis-related grouping and increased investments into grassroots institutions are therefore required to meet the special needs of schistosomiasis control, so as to improve the effectiveness of schistosomiasis control.