• Xiaoming Che, Weidong Chen, Xuehua Wu, and Pengcheng Lin.
• College of Management and Economy, Tianjin University, Tianjin, China.
• Medicine (Baltimore). 2023 Jan 27; 102 (4): e32699e32699.

IntroductionWhile China continues to optimize the tiered medical care system, the status quo of patients preferring higher-tier hospitals has not improved. Herein, we aimed to analyze the factors influencing patients' healthcare choices in China and to provide an evidentiary basis for optimizing the tiered healthcare system.Patient ConcernsMost patients are concerned that primary care services will not provide appropriate treatment or health advice. Also, patients consider medical technology, cost, experience, quality of service and convenience before seeking care.OutcomesA total of 18 cross-sectional studies involving 10,348 samples were included. After combining the effect size, the factors affecting the choice of Chinese patients for medical treatment were medical technology and quality (49%), the convenience of medical treatment (37%), medical expenses (23%), hospital service quality (20%) medical insurance policy (16%), and acquaintance relationship (11%).ConclusionThe selection of medical treatment for Chinese residents is primarily influenced by medical technology and convenience. The medical insurance policy does not provide sufficient guidance. Furthermore, the tiered medical care system should be optimized to improve the usability of primary care services.Copyright © 2023 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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