The determinants of patient perceptions of integrated care: Evidence from tightly-knit county medical community in China

Abstract Purpose Integrated care services have been initiated in China for several years, yet there remains a notable dearth of substantial evidence and research elucidating the service’s efficacy. This study assesses the efficacy of integrated care services, particularly from the patients’ vantage point. We aim to identify the key influencing factors and pathways, providing invaluable insights into integrated service. Additionally, we aspire to delineate strategies for enhancing healthcare delivery systems’ quality, efficiency, and continuity. Methods The Patient Perceptions of Integrated Care (PPIC) and European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions-5 Levels (EQ-5D-5L) scales were employed to gather information on patients’ perceptions of integrated care and their self-rated health status. A total of 1093 respondents from two pilot areas were selected for data collection. T-tests and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were, additionally, the study utilized multiple linear regression models to examine the specific impact of various factors on the effectiveness of integrated care services. Results The average score for the effectiveness of integrated healthcare services from the patients’ perspective was 67.72 (SD = 14.443), indicating a discrepancy between patient expectations and the actual delivery of care. The individual health status and socioeconomic factors significantly influence patients’ perceptions. As individual health status (B = -0.073, P = 0.024) declines, so does the perception of service effectiveness. Furthermore, health intervention factors, including intervention duration (B = 3.244, P < 0.001) and frequency (B = 5.346, p < 0.001), had a pronounced impact on patients with elevated health demands. Notably, age (B = 1.298, P = 0.009), marital status (B = 1.623, p = 0.002), and occupational category (B = -7.546, P = 0.002), also exert a nuanced influence on patients’ perceptions of integrated services. Conclusions This study identified a significant disparity between patients’ perceptions and expectations of integrated services, underscoring the imperative of patient-centered care in integrating services, and emphasizing the need for personalized health services tailored to individual needs. Furthermore, priority should be given to residents with chronic diseases or comorbidities. Additionally, there is a call for establishing more robust communication and management mechanisms to foster collaboration among healthcare teams.