The Article in Brief

Human Resource Staffing and Service Functions of Community Health Services Organizations in China

Jun Yang , and colleagues

Background The Chinese government is increasing its focus on providing community health services (CHS) to its population. This study reports on the development of staffing and service functions in the CHS organizations.

What This Study Found The delivery of basic clinical services and public health services is steadily increasing; however, more doctors and nurses are needed in CHS stations. Furthermore, 68% of doctors and 87% of nurses in CHS centers have low-level medical training, and 59% of CHS stations are open less than 12 hours per day. Health records are widely used, and both public health education and individual patient education have been widely adopted.

Implications

• Improvements are needed in training for doctors and nurses providing health services, including training in basic clinical services and management of noncommunicable chronic diseases.
• The authors call for increased governmental support for the development of CHS organizations.