Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Related Health Resources Allocation in Hunan Province of China

BACKGROUND: Information about Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD)-related health resources allocation in China is very limited. The aim of the study was to explore the distribution of COPD-related health resources allocation among different levels public hospitals (PHs) in Hunan Province of central south China. METHODS: We randomly collected data from 57 Public Hospitals (PHs) at 3 different levels in Hunan province as well as 893 pulmonary physicians (PPs) who worked there in 2009. Questionnaires based on the recommendations of COPD guideline were designed, including availability of spirometers, inhaled agents for COPD and COPD-related health education for local residents, as well as PPs’ educational levels. RESULTS: Spirometers equipped ratio in 3(rd) level PHs was much higher than 1(st), 2(nd) PHs. The disparity varied vastly form 0% to 100%. The inhaled agents equipped ratio was 5.56%, 70.85% and 100% respectively for the 1(st), 2(nd) and 3(rd) levels PHs. No 1(st) level PHs launched COPD-related healthcare education for local residents, only 10 of 24 for the 2(nd) level PHs and 10 of 15 for the 3(rd) level PHs. PPs of high educational levels concentrate in 3(rd) levels PHs, however, PPs working in 1(st) levels PHs and 2(nd) levels PHs were mainly low and median educational levels PPs’ knowledge of COPD of 3(rd) levels PHs was much better than of 1(st) levels PHs and 2(nd) levels PHs. CONCLUSION: The extreme imbalance and disparity existed in COPD-related health resources allocation at three levels PHs in central south China. Inequity and insufficient in COPD-related health resources in 1(st) and 2(nd) levels PHs should be improved.