A Three-Dimensional Framework Analysis of High-Quality Development Policies for Public Hospitals in China

Gong Yunna; Wang Wenchao; Sui Xin; Song Liqin; Jian Yunlong; Xian Guowei; Ma Yong

Abstract：Objective To explore the characteristics,potential challenges,and optimization paths of high-quality development policies for public hospitals in China,and to provide reference for policy formulation and implementation.Methods The 31 policy documents on high-quality development of public hospitals issued at the central and provincial levels between 2021 and 2024 were coded using Nvivo 11 software,and a three-dimensional analytical framework was constructed on the basis of the policy tools,stakeholders,and system dimensions,combining both quantitative and qualitative methods for content analysis.Results It found that the distribution of policy content in the three dimensions was characterized by stage imbalance:policy tools were mainly environmental,followed by supply,and demand;stakeholder attention was focused on public hospitals and healthcare administrations,and patient attention was low;The system dimension focused mainly on the macro level,with less distribution at the meso and micro levels.Although the unbalanced distribution of policy instruments is relevant at certain stages,the long-term structural imbalance may lead to insufficient systemic policies and weakened stakeholder synergies,and there is an urgent need to optimize the structure of instruments.Conclusions It is recommended to increase the proportion of demand-based policy instruments in policy design and dynamically adjust the synergistic application of the three types of instruments;to strengthen the attention to vulnerable stakeholders,such as patients;and to optimize the design of policies at the meso-levels and micro-levels in order to enhance the systemicity and sustainability of policy implementation.