15 May 2025, Volume 39 Issue 5
    

  • Select all
    |
  • Study on the influencing factors of medical service prices based on LASSO Regression and random forest model
    LIU Jiajia, LI Yongqiang
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 1-5. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.001
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To explore the main influencing factors of fluctuations in medical service prices and to provide references for the government to formulate and dynamically adjust medical service prices. Methods Based on the China Statistical Yearbook from 1998 to 2022, LASSO Regression was applied to select the main influencing factors of medical service prices, and the random forest model was used to rank the relative importance of these factors. Results The LASSO Regression identified eight key variables. The ranking Results of the random forest model showed that the Consumer Price Index(CPI)(0.194), the proportion of personal health expenditure(0.125), the proportion of government health expenditure (0.082), the total dependency ratio(0.079), per capita health expenditure (0.069), the number of participants in basic medical insurance for urban employees (0.062), per capita disposable income of residents(0.056), and the bed occupancy rate(0.052) accounted for 72.63% of the total importance. Conclusions CPI plays a leading role in the fluctuations of medical service prices. The proportion of personal health expenditure, the proportion of government health expenditure, changes in population structure and the utilization efficiency of medical resources have significant impacts on medical service prices.
  • Analysis of the composition and influencing factors of the cost of hospital stays for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery under Diagnosis-Intervention Packet
    WANG Liying, WANG Minghui
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 6-11. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.002
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To explore the composition and influencing factors of the cost of hospital stays for patients undergoing lung cancer surgery under Diagnosis-Intervention Packet (DIP) payment system, and to provide a scientific basis for the reasonable cost control and fine management of hospitals and medical insurance departments under the DIP. Methods The basic information, information of medical expenses and the front page of medical records of patients who were discharged from a hospital in Hebei Province and whose diagnosis was lung cancer from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2023 were collected. Multiple linear regression and path analysis were used to study the composition of inpatient hospital costs and its influencing factors. Results The coefficient of variation (CV value) of inpatient hospital costs for each DIP disease score ranged from 0.16 to 0.30. In the composition of the cost of hospital stays for patients with lung cancer, the proportion reflecting medical staff's technical value was 20.08%, and the proportion reflecting medical staff's labor value was 14.07%. The proportions of costs of materials for health (consumables) and drug costs were relatively high, accounting for 40.20% and 21.87% of the total cost of hospital stays respectively. Among the factors influencing inpatient hospital expenses, the direct effect of hospital stays on the inpatient hospital expenses was 0.459. The direct effect of age on inpatient hospital expenses was 0.181, and the indirect effect was 0.117. The direct effect of DIP grouping on inpatient hospital expenses was 0.257, and the indirect effect was 0.099. The direct effect of types of insurance on inpatient hospital expenses was 0.081, and the indirect effect was 0.059. Conclusions There are significant differences in the cost of hospital stays under each DIP disease group. In the composition of the cost of hospital stays, the proportions reflecting the technical value and labor value of medical staff are relatively low, while the proportions of costs of materials for health (consumables) and drug costs are relatively large. Hospital stays, age, DIP grouping, and patients' insurance types directly affect the cost of hospital stays, in which age, DIP grouping and insurance types also have an indirect impact on the total expenses through affecting hospital stays.
  • Research on the regression incentive mechanisms of public welfare of public hospitals under a multi-task principal-agent framework
    LIU Hui, WANG Qiaoli, ZHANG Lan
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 12-16. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.003
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective By exploring the influencing factors of the optimal incentive level of the government under multi-task conditions, this paper provides a basis for constructing incentive mechanisms oriented towards public welfare for public hospitals. Methods A multi-task principal-agent model was established. Results The optimal incentive level of the government for the target tasks was affected by the risk preference of public hospitals, target tasks and other tasks. The optimal incentive level of the government was negatively correlated with the risk aversion coefficient of public hospitals; it is positively correlated with the importance of the target tasks and negatively correlated with the cost of effort and measurable performance variance of the target tasks; it is positively correlated with the cost of effort of other tasks and negatively correlated with the importance and measurable performance variance of other tasks. The government should improve the management system of public hospitals, establish and improve the incentive mechanisms of public hospitals, and optimize the performance evaluation system of public welfare.
  • Analysis of the practical predicaments and solutions for the public to participate in voluntary services in pandemics from the perspective of social practice theory
    ZHANG Luhao, WANG Lu, QIAN Yu, WU Qunhong, NING Ning
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 17-21. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.004
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Based on the framework of the social practice theory of “field-capital-habit”, the problems existing in volunteerism in pandemics are classified into the theoretical framework by adopting the literature research and theoretical analysis. It is concluded that the practical predicaments for the public to participate in voluntary services in emergencies include the lack of the function of the field and restricted emergency actions; the lack of capital accumulation and weak guarantee force; the lack of habitual awareness and insufficient endogenous motivation, etc. It is proposed to mobilize capital to respond promptly and give full play to the function of the field; coordinate and integrate the capital of all parties to realize capital transformation; cultivate the concept of volunteering and reshape volunteering habits and other approaches to further promote the public to participate in volunteerism in pandemics.
  • Analysis of the SWOT-PEST model of the development of Chinese medicine health industry in Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area
    XU Zhihong, PANG Zhenmiao
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 22-27. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.005
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Based on the SWOT-PEST analysis method, this paper discusses the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the development of the Chinese medicine health industry in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area from four dimensions: politics, economy, society and technology. Political advantages provide strong support for the industry, but the lag in policy implementation and insufficient cross-departmental collaboration may weaken the actual effect. Economic strengths have laid a solid foundation on market and financial support for the industry, but related enterprises still face operational pressure brought about by the rising costs of land and labor. Social demands and cultural heritage provide a broad market prospect for the industry, but consumers' cognitive biases towards traditional Chinese medicine are the invisible boundaries for market expansion. Technological advantages provide strong support for the digital transformation and intelligent upgrading of the industry, but the lack of innovation capacity and the bottleneck of the efficiency of achievements transformation remain urgent problems to be broken through. It proposes development countermeasures such as creating a new ecosystem for the Chinese medicine health industry driven by innovation, optimizing policy coordination, strengthening scientific and technological innovation and the transformation of achievements, enhancing talent cultivation and introduction, and broadening perspectives of international cooperation.
  • Practical dilemma of policies of community-based smart elderly care services and the rescue strategies — based on Smith Model
    ZHAO Di, JIANG Qingdan, ZHANG Siwen, LIANG Xu
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 28-34. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.006
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Based on the current policy practice of “nation-local-community”, this paper sorts out the participants of community-based smart elderly care services. Taking Smith Model as the theoretical basis, this paper discusses the practical dilemma of policies of community-based smart elderly care from four aspects: policy core, executive agencies, target groups and environmental factors. It proposes that in the core aspect of policy, digital empowerment should be a firm foundation to improve the top-level design of policy. In terms of executive agencies, services should be expanded to boost the value co-creation of relevant responsible subjects. In terms of target groups, the digital divide should be bridged to improve literacy and digital age-friendly products. In terms of environmental factors, various forces should be aggregated to create a good policy environment. The quality of elderly care services and the elderly care service system with Chinese characteristics are improved through above measures.
  • Construction of the evaluation system for scientific research institutes of health system in Shenzhen based on Delphi method
    ZHAO Fei, DU Fang, WANG Ye, WU Liqun, GU Huiqiao
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 35-40. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.007
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To construct a performance evaluation index system tailored for scientific research institutions of health system in Shenzhen, and to provide a reference for further management work of scientific research institutes of health system. Methods Based on the goal-oriented “structure-process-outcome” theoretical model, a preliminary performance evaluation index system for scientific research institutions of health system was constructed through literature research and group discussions. The Delphi method was employed to conduct two rounds of consultations with 22 experts. The Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was utilized to determine the weights of each index at various levels, and ultimately the index system was determined. Results The response rate of two rounds of expert consultations exceeded 70%, with an average authority coefficient of 0.83. Following two rounds of expert consultations, a performance evaluation index system for scientific research institutions of health system in Shenzhen was established, comprising four first-level indicators (goal orientation, basic guarantee, scientific and technological level, and social benefits), 11 second-level indicators, 23 third-level indicators and 29 fourth-level indicators. Conclusions The performance evaluation index system for scientific research institutions of health system constructed by Delphi method in this study demonstrates certain scientificity, reliability and guidance, which provides certain evaluation and guiding significance for the performance management of scientific research institutes of health system. In practice, the index system should be dynamically adjusted and optimized according to the development, orientation and evaluation cycle of scientific research institutes.
  • Potential risks and responses of county-level traditional Chinese medicine hospitals with the empowerment of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and treatment systems
    WU Yutong, DENG Yong
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 41-46. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.008
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    With the rapid development of artificial intelligence and big data technologies, the upgrading of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) diagnosis and treatment techniques has ushered in new opportunities. The empowerment of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and treatment systems can effectively improve the technical level, service quality and diagnosis and treatment accuracy of county-level TCM hospitals. Starting from the application of artificial intelligence-assisted diagnosis and treatment systems in TCM, this paper sorts out the potential problems and risks in key links such as equipment import, business qualifications, ethical security and medical safety in the process of artificial intelligence empowering county-level TCM hospitals to improve diagnosis and treatment levels. It proposes risk prevention and control strategies such as standardizing the process of access, strictly supervising qualifications, strengthening privacy and ethical security, and avoiding medical disputes.
  • Research on the impact of artificial intelligence-based mobile healthcare services on self-management behaviors of patients with diabetes
    LI Ruihan, WANG Sicheng,WU Tailai
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 47-53. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.009
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To explore the impact and mechanisms of artificial intelligence-based mobile healthcare services on self-management behaviors of patients with diabetes, so as to provide a basis for optimizing paths of mobile health services and improving self-management model of patients with diabetes. Methods A research model was developed based on the source credibility theory and the health belief model. The questionnaire survey was conducted among 408 patients with diabetes who had experiences in using artificial intelligence-based mobile healthcare services, and structural equation modeling was employed for empirical analysis. Results The accuracy, anthropomorphism, perceived expertise and timeliness of mobile healthcare services had significant positive effects on patients' perceived harm and severity caused by the disease, and benefits of changes in behaviors, while a significant negative effect on patients' perceived barriers. Patients' perceived harm and severity caused by the disease and benefits of changes in behaviors had a significant positive influence on self-management behaviors, whereas perceived barriers had a significant negative impact on self-management behaviors. Conclusions Artificial intelligence-based mobile healthcare services can effectively improve self-management behaviors of patients with diabetes. Characteristics of services and patients' health concepts play a key role in it, suggesting that services should be optimized and patients' health concepts should be enhanced to promote patients' health.
  • Analysis of the changing trends and influencing factors of health financing in Tianjin from 2012 to 2022
    LIU Chunyu, BO Yunque, YANG Siqiu, WU Ning, ZHAO Baowei
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 54-58. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.010
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To analyze the financing scale, structural change trends and influencing factors of total health expenditure in Tianjin from 2012 to 2022, so as to provide a basis for optimizing the health financing mechanism and formulating health policies. Methods Based on the sources of financing , time series analysis was used to study the level and structural changes of health financing in Tianjin. GDP Deflator was used to calculate the elasticity coefficient of actual health consumption. The influencing factors of per capita total health expenditure were explored by the principal component regression model. Results The average annual growth rate of total health expenditure in Tianjin was 9.03%, and the average annual growth rate of per capita total health expenditure was 9.26%, both higher than the GDP growth rate (6.13%). The elasticity coefficient of health consumption fluctuated significantly, with a maximum of 3.03 in 2015 and a minimum of -3.68 in 2020. The financing structure was dominated by public financing. In 2022, the proportion of social health expenditure was 56.1%, and the proportion of personal cash expenditure dropped to 26.1%. Principal component regression showed that the number of beds per thousand population, the proportion of the population aged 65 and above, GDP per capita, the incidence of malignant tumors, the number of insured urban and rural residents and the incidence of diabetes were the main positive driving factors, while the proportion of government health expenditure and the utilization rates of hospital beds were negatively affected. Conclusions The scale of health financing in Tianjin has continued to expand, and the burden on residents has gradually decreased. However, it is necessary to optimize the structure of government investment, improve the efficiency of resource utilization, and pay attention to the long-term impact of aging and changes of disease spectrum on health costs, so as to promote the sustainable development of the health industry.
  • Empirical study on the allocation level and spatial differences of medical and health resources in China — based on the hierarchical analysis of institutions
    ZHU Hongjing, CAI Wangchun
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 59-63. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.011
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective This paper hierarchically studies the allocation level and spatial differences of medical and health resources in China from the perspective of hospitals and primary medical and health institutions, so as to provide references for further optimizing the allocation of medical and health resources. Methods Health Resource Density Index and Dagum Gini coefficient were used to calculate the health resource allocation level index, so as to empirically analyze the allocation level and spatial differences of medical and health resources in China. Results From 2013 to 2021, the resource allocation levels of hospitals and primary medical and health institutions in China have increased. Among them, the mean value of health resource allocation level index of hospitals increased from 0.1915 to 0.2936, and that of primary medical and health institutions increased from 0.2810 to 0.3554. In terms of spatial differences, the equity of health resource allocation level in hospitals was west < east < central region, and that in primary medical and health institutions was west < central region < east. Conclusions The overall level of medical and health resource allocation in China has been improved, but the structural rationality is insufficient and there is a significant regional gap. The development strategies should be adjusted according to local conditions to promote the coordinated development of hospitals and primary medical and health institutions in various regions.
  • Analysis of the efficiency and equity of grassroots health resource allocation in Gansu Province from 2019 to 2023
    GOU Yuanjie, MAO Xueyin, MA Peiyang, WANG Yijia, XU Ruipu, WANG Xiaohui
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 64-70. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.012
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To analyze the efficiency and equity of grassroots health resource allocation in Gansu Province from 2019 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for improving the operational efficiency and rational allocation of grassroots health resources in Gansu Province. Methods The three-stage DEA model and Malmquist index were respectively used to conduct horizontal and vertical analyses on the efficiency of grassroots health resource allocation in Gansu Province. Lorenz curve and Gini coefficient were employed to analyze the equity of grassroots health resources distributed by population and geographical areas in Gansu Province. Results After eliminating the interference of external factors, the average comprehensive efficiency of grassroots health resource allocation in Gansu Province rose to 0.889 in 2023; the average pure technical efficiency rose to 0.950; the average scale efficiency remained unchanged, and most cities (prefectures) were in the stage of increasing returns to scale. Per capita GDP and urbanization rate had positive and negative impacts on the efficiency of health resource allocation respectively. The average total factor productivity was 1.077 from 2019 to 2023, fluctuating around 1 in each year. The Gini coefficients of grassroots health resources distributed by population and geographical areas in Gansu Province were below 0.3 and above 0.5 respectively. Distribution by population was relatively equitable, while distribution by geographic areas was less equitable. Conclusions The overall operational efficiency of grassroots health resource allocation in Gansu Province is relatively good, but there are differences in the efficiency levels among various regions. The total factor productivity of the province shows a downward trend, mainly influenced by the technological progress index. The equity of grassroots health resource distributed by population is superior to the geographical area distribution.
  • Current situation and optimized development of the pilots of long-term care insurance system in Qingdao
    XIAO Wenhui, SONG Yan, BIAN Ying
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 71-75. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.013
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    This paper sorts out the development process and current operation status of long-term care insurance (LTCI) in Qingdao through policy analysis. The development process of LTCI in Qingdao can be divided into three stages: framework construction, system adjustment and content optimization. During this process, the fairness, adequacy and sustainability of the system have been continuously enhanced. It is recommended to promote the further development of LTCI system in Qingdao from aspects such as improving the financing and payment design of the system, optimizing the supply of care services, promoting the independent operation of the system, and strengthening the construction of the prevention system for disability and dementia.
  • Analysis of prevalence trends and influencing factors of overweight and obesity among Chinese older adults
    GENG Xiaoliang, TANG Fengyuan, TAN Gangrui, JIN Shengxuan
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 76-82. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.014
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To systematically evaluate the prevalence trends and influencing factors of overweight and obesity among older adults in China from 2008 to 2018, providing a basis for optimizing the prevention and control policies and intervention strategies for obesity among older adults. Methods Based on the data from Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), 27,363 older adults aged ≥60 years in 2008, 2011, 2014 and 2018 were included, and overweight and obesity were classified by the BMI index. The chi-square test, T-test, ANOVA, and rank sum test were performed by using SPSS 23.0. The binary logistic regression model was applied to identify factors influencing overweight or obesity and its changes. Results The overall overweight prevalence of the subjects increased from 11.84% in 2008 to 25.46% in 2018, and the obesity prevalence rose from 2.82% to 8.49%. The overweight prevalence and obesity prevalence significantly decreased with advancing age, which were higher in urban areas than in rural areas. The overweight Prevalence of women was higher than that of men, and the obesity prevalence of men was higher than that of women. Risk factors influencing overweight or obesity of the subjects included higher living standards (OR=1.178), being married (OR=1.147), chronic diseases (OR=1.740), and a high intake of staple foods (OR=1.236), etc. Protective factors included a light diet (OR=0.838), smoking (OR=0.759), and a high frequency of raising livestock or pets (OR=0.913). Older adults who were married, rarely experienced hunger in childhood, had chronic diseases, consumed vegetables less frequently, drank alcohol and did not smoke were more likely to be overweight or obese. Conclusions The prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese older adults showed a year-by-year increase, with notable urban-rural disparities. Factors such as health status, diet and lifestyle behaviors significantly influenced their occurrence.
  • Study on the willingness to have children again and the demand for birth support measures of women of reproductive age in Shenzhen
    YANG Juan, SHANG Li, LU Cao, LIU Xiayang, HU Xuhuai, GUAN Ting
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 83-88. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.015
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Objective To understand the current situation of the willingness to have children again and the demand for birth support measures of women of reproductive age in Shenzhen, so as to provide the reference for improving birth support policy system and building a birth-friendly society. Methods From June to July 2022, a questionnaire survey was conducted among women of reproductive age in Shenzhen who had one or two children after January 1, 2016 to analyze the willingness to have more children and the demand for birth support measures. Results A total of 707 women of reproductive age were included in the study. Among them, the willingness to have more children was 30.5% for 394 women who had given birth to their first child, and 9.6% for 313 women who had given birth to their second child. The two highest motivations for having more children among women of reproductive age were that “the company of siblings is beneficial to children's growth” (97.3%) and “having one more child makes the home more lively” (78.7%). The top three concerns regarding no intention to have more children were that “insufficient energy to take care of one more child”(93.2%), “high cost of raising a child”(93.0%) and “worry about educational resources”(92.6%). The proportion of women of reproductive age with one child and two children who might change their willingness to have more children after the implementation of relevant birth support measures was 85.0% and 64.3%, respectively. The demands of women of reproductive age for birth support measures were strongest in “promoting flexible work models” and “providing child-rearing subsidies”. Conclusions The overall willingness to have children again among women of reproductive age in Shenzhen is relatively low. Those without the willingness to have children again concerned about factors such as the burdens of childbirth, child-rearing and education. Improving and implementing birth support measures is of great significance for unleashing the potential of childbirth for women of reproductive age.
  • Development history and experiences of digital governanceinthe UK National Health Service — a case study of England
    Xizi, HE Yonghong, YANG Yansui
    Soft Science of Health. 2025, 39(5): 89-94. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1003-2800.2025.05.016
    Abstract ( ) Download PDF ( )   Knowledge map   Save
    Big data in healthcare is of great significance for improving the quality and efficiency of health services and promoting the development of the biopharmaceutical industry. Based on the practical experiences of the UK National Health Service, this paper takes England as an example to summarize the development history and practical experiences of digital governance in healthcare in England, including top-level design and source management, the framework of digital governance and mechanism construction, data standardization and operational regulation, data security and security system, and leadership construction and talent cultivation. Meanwhile, this paper analyzes the problems and challenges faced by China in the field of digital governance in healthcare and puts forward corresponding policy suggestions by drawing on the experience of the England region.
Copyright © Soft Science of Health, All Rights Reserved.
Tel: 0871-65323117　
E-mail：wsrkxbjb@vip.163.com
Powered by Beijing Magtech Co. Ltd,.