Evidence map›Paper›PMID 37644426›Full record

ReviewBMC health services research2023

Continuity of health care: measurement and application in two rural counties of Guangxi Province, China.

Qianchen Wei, Beibei Yuan, Jin Xu, Ping He, Hanyi Xu, Qingyue Meng

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in BMC health services research, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Trial
  2. Article
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Qianchen WeiDepartment of Health Policy and Management, School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2913-7831
Beibei YuanChina Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Jin XuChina Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Ping HeChina Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Hanyi XuChina Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China.
Qingyue MengChina Center for Health Development Studies, Peking University Health Science Center, Beijing, China. qmeng@bjmu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-1277-4372

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundContinuity of care (COC) is highly regarded in health promotion and health system strengthening. However, there is a lack of multidimensional quantitative assessment of continuity, making it challenging to evaluate and compare. Our objective was to create a novel measurement for COC and apply it in two rural counties in China to assess its validity and feasibility in evaluating health system reform.

methodThis study conducted a scoping literature review on COC, examining existing frameworks and indicators. Following an online expert poll, a composite indicator was developed using the analytical hierarchy process (AHP). The measurement tool was then applied to assess the current state of COC in two rural counties in China. In addition to descriptive analysis, demographic and economic characteristics were analyzed for their association with COC scores using t-tests and multiple linear regression models.

resultsThe final COC measurement encompasses three dimensions, six sub-dimensions, and ten individual indicators, which integrated and improved the current frameworks and indicators. Relational continuity, informational continuity, and management continuity were identified as the primary dimensions of COC measurement. The COC score is 0.49 in County A and 0.41 in County B, with information continuity being the highest-scoring dimension. Notably, the disparity in continuity scores is most pronounced among individuals with varying attitudes towards health, demonstrating a positive correlation.

conclusionThe construction of the composite indicator in this study offers a scientific and effective metric for comprehensively measuring continuity of care. The empirical data analysis conducted in Western China serves as an illustrative application of the indicator, demonstrating its efficiency. The results obtained from this analysis provide a solid foundation and valuable reference for strengthening the health system.

Indexed as

Analytic Hierarchy ProcessContinuity of Patient CareChinaData AnalysisDelivery of Health CareHumansAHPComposite IndicatorContinuity of careRural County

Identifiers

PMID37644426
PMCPMC10464216

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.