title: Assessment of diabetes care and the healthcare system in economically and transport underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China: A cross-sectional survey.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of the present study was to assess the quality of diabetes care and characteristics of the healthcare system in underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China.
  
  
  METHODS
  Questionnaires were used to collect data from 288 diabetic patients with a multistage cluster sampling method in Zhongjiang County (Sichuan Province) between October 2009 and April 2010. Sixty-two village clinics, 23 town health centers, and a county central hospital were included to assess the availability of diabetes-related medical resources, in addition to diabetes-related medical insurance, reimbursement policies, and manpower.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 288 patients, 38.2 % monitored their blood glucose regularly. Targets for fasting blood glucose (≤7 mmol/L) and blood pressure (≤130/80 mmHg) were achieved by 7.6 % and 9.7 % of patients, respectively. On average, each patient paid US$120 out of pocket annually for out-patient diabetes care, with a maximum US$86 reimbursed. The county central hospital was the only healthcare facility in the county that could provide all essential diabetes-related drugs and process-of-care measures and tests, except measures of HbA1c and the urinary albumin: creatinine ratio. Insulin was not available at village clinics, and only 29 % of village clinics had glucometers. "Certified" doctors were not available to provide primary care in village clinics.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of diabetes care was quite poor in underdeveloped rural mountain areas of western China. Recommendations for further intervention research to improve diabetes healthcare include increasing investment in medical infrastructure, improving the availability of essential drugs and process measures, organizing regular diabetes patient education, and recruiting village doctors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Deyang City, China.
authors.forename: Linqiu
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ke
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Deyang City, China.
authors.forename: Yuwei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Division, Deyang Municipal People's Hospital, Deyang City, China.
authors.forename: Xiaoqian
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Endocrinology Unit, Zhongjiang County Central Hospital, Deyang City, China.
authors.forename: Shengyong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Health and Family Planning Commission of Zhongjiang County, Deyang City, China.
authors.forename: Wei
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital of Sichuan University, Deyang City, China.
authors.forename: Nanwei
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Tong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D044466:Asian People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001794:Blood Pressure; D002681:China; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000208:ethnology; D005260:Female; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012423:Rural Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin
keywords: China; delivery of health care; diabetes mellitus; 中国; 提供卫生保健; 糖尿病