Table 1 Indicators of health-resource allocation, their definitions, and how they were measured
Indicator | Definition | How indicator was measured |
|---|---|---|
Number of institutions | It refers to the institutions such as hospitals, primary health care institutions, professional public health agencies and other healthcare institutions which have obtained the legal registration certificates from the health administrative departments in China | Number of institutions divided by the population |
Number of beds | It refers to the actual number of beds in medical institutions, including formal beds, simple beds, care beds, beds are being disinfected or repaired, not including neonatal beds, pre-delivery beds, observation beds, temporary beds and the accompany beds for patients’ family | Number of beds divided by the population |
Number of technicians | It refers to the workforce who assist medical staff complete tasks around their assigned unit or clinic and accommodate patient needs, including pharmacists and radiologists; registered nurses were excluded | Number of technicians in hospitals divided by the population |
Number of doctors | It refers to the physicians who hold a practicing physician certificate, including practicing physicians and assistants in China. Those who are engaged in the management of health workers as part of the health workforce, such as presidents, vice presidents, and party secretaries were excluded | Number of doctors divided by the population |
Number of nurses | It refers to registered nurses who have obtained the legal practicing nurses’ certificates. Those who engaged in the management of health workers are not included as health workforce, such as president, vice president, party secretary | Number of nurses divided by the population |