The Role and Scope of Private Medical Practice in China

Chapter 2. Methodology
Within the larger facilities (pubic and private hospitals) the doctors
participating in the study were chosen from among the various departments by the
hospital director. For the smaller rural and urban private clinics, private doctors in
private clinics were nominated by officials of the Health Bureau.
The doctors recruited at each facility were assembled at a single location,
given instructions for filling out questionnaires by the researchers themselves, and
asked to fill out the survey forms independently. Anonymity and confidentiality were
assured. Completed questionnaires were collected on the spot by researchers.
A target number of 240 doctors in each province were surveyed - 120 in rural
and 120 in urban areas (Figure 4).
Figure 4: Distribution of doctors surveyed in each province
Province
City
County
Private
(N=60)
Public
(N=60)
Private
(N=60)
Public
(N=60)
As it turned out, 656 questionnaires (Guangdong 240, Shanxi 202 and Sichuan
214) were completed and entered into the analysis (see Annex F).
Survey Instrument
The self-administered questionnaire (see Annex B for sample) used a similar 5-
point Likert-scale as for the household questionnaire. Questions covered the following
areas:
• General opinion on the health care system
• Perceived problems with the health care system
• Opinion towards public and private practice
• Individual satisfaction with career and professional development
• Demographic data and general information including medical education.
The questionnaire was designed in English, translated into Chinese, and then
back translated into English. Both versions were harmonized before printing, but only
the Chinese version was used in the fieldwork.
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