Public satisfaction with the healthcare system in China during 2013-2015: a cross-sectional survey of the associated factors.

Objective We explore how public satisfaction with the healthcare system in China varies with social and economic factors, especially regional variations and changes during 2013–2015. Design Population-based, cross-sectional survey performed between July 2013 and July 2015. Setting General population of China during 2013–2015. Participants A total of 15 969 participants (women=49.4%, sample-weighted average age=51.9). Primary outcome measure Public satisfaction with the healthcare system, defined as ‘being satisfied’ if a respondent’s satisfaction score is ≥70 points. Results The 2-year mean of the satisfaction score of the sample is 68.5 out of 100 points and the score in 2015 is higher than 2013 by 3.5 points. Senior respondents (OR=1.19, p Conclusion There are considerable disparities in public satisfaction with the healthcare system in China, associated with demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, regional locations, urban–rural environment, and regional health resource abundance. Actions are recommended to improve satisfaction with the public healthcare system, especially in the Northeast region of China.