GIS-based analysis and optimization of TCM medical resources in China

Abstract

Objective-To analyze the current situation and changing trend of the total medical resources of TCM, and to provide reference for the development of TCM service. Methods-Collect the 2012–2019 Health Statistics Yearbook of China, analyze the quantity and changing trend of health resources of TCM by using descriptive statistics, and make a visual analysis of the distribution health resources of TCM in various provinces by using GIS technology. Results-By the end of 2019,the total number of TCM personnel, the number of beds in TCM medical and health institutions and the number of TCM medical and health institutions in China were 767239,1328752 and 65809 respectively, an increase of 57.10 percent over 2012,211.23 percent over 2009 and 1979.93 percent over 2009. In 2019,seven provinces, including Sichuan, Guangdong and Shandong, ranked first in terms of the number of TCM personnel in China, while eight provinces, including Shandong, Henan and Sichuan, ranked first in terms of the number of TCM medical institutions, and Shandong, Sichuan and Guangdong ranked first in terms of TCM medical institutions. In general, the geographical distribution of TCM personnel, beds in TCM medical institutions and TCM medical institutions in each province is basically the same, and there is an obvious gap between TCM health resources in central and eastern China and that in western China, presenting a polarization.