The Barefoot Doctors of China: from political creation to professionalization.
The Barefoot Doctor policy of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) has recently been changed. Rather than remaining a permanent corp of paraprofessionals, Barefoot Doctors (BFD) are to be upgraded, certified, and paid wages for full-time medical work in a process of slow professionalization. This article includes a brief historical description of BFD policy evolution and a literature review that notes problems in the equitable implementation of the original policy. An update in information is added based on original material collected in 1979 and 1981, providing a current picture of efforts to implement the new professional focus. While BFDs everywhere are taking the certification examinations, there are almost no signs of other features of the new policy.
D002681:China; D003150:Community Health Workers; D006291:Health Policy; D006761:Hospitals; D012423:Rural Health