Work

Integrated medical and elderly care utilisation and outcomes in China: insights from a mixed-methods configurational analysis

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Introduction While establishing integrated medical and older-adult care systems has been widely adopted as a crucial strategy to address population ageing, little is known about either the configurations that facilitate integrated care service utilisation or the actual policy outcomes in enhancing healthy ageing levels.Theory Conceptualising the implementation of China’s integrated medical and elderly care policy as a strategic action field.Method This study employs a mixed-methods approach that combines fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis with regression analysis to assess integrated care utilisation and associated outcomes.Results Our analysis identifies three configurations that promote IMEC utilisation, which are primarily driven by either citizen or IMEC provider dominance. Subsequent regression results indicate positive associations of these configurations with local healthy ageing levels.Discussion These findings offer local governments evidence-based policy recommendations and provide strategic insights for refining future policy implementation.

Source: Critical Public Health

DOI: 10.1080/09581596.2026.2718554

Authors: Ziyu (Lucas) Li, Chao Cao, Xiang Yin

Institutions: Chinese University of Hong Kong, Central South University

Language: English

Topic: Social Policies and Healthcare Reform

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: diamond

Funders: Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China, China University of Political Science and Law, Humanities and Social Sciences Youth Foundation, Ministry of Education of the People's Republic of China