Different Models of Hospital–Community Health Centre Collaboration in Selected Cities in China: A Cross-Sectional Comparative Study

OBJECTIVE: In recent years, in order to provide patients with seamless and integrated healthcare services, some models of collaboration between public hospitals and community health centres have been piloted in some cities in China. The main goals of this study were to assess the nature and characteristics of these collaboration models. METHODS: Three cases of three different collaboration models in three Chinese cities were selected to analyse using descriptive statistics, Pearson χ(2) and ordinal logistic regression. RESULTS: Results showed that the Direct Management Model in Wuhan exhibited better structure indicators than the other two models. Staff in the Direct Management Model had the highest satisfaction level (77.6%) with respect to patient referral. Communications between hospitals and community health centres and among care providers were generally inadequate. Publicity about hospital–community health centre collaboration was inadequate, resulting in low awareness among patients and even among health professionals. CONCLUSION: Results can inform health service delivery integration efforts in China and provide crucial information for the assessment of similar collaborations in other countries.