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  4. Vol 6, Issue 1, 2026

Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Service Capabilities in Primary Healthcare Institutions Using the Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS and RSR Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study

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DOI: 10.23977/phpm.2026.060110 | Downloads: 3 | Views: 84

Author(s)

Sili Zhu 1, Yang Pu 2, Weiwei Liu 1,2

Affiliation(s)

1 School of Public Health, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, 400016, China
2 College of General Education, Chongqing College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chongqing, 402760, China

Corresponding Author

Weiwei Liu

ABSTRACT

A comprehensive evaluation of the capacity for traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) services in primary healthcare institutions in Chongqing was conducted to provide a reference for enhancing service capacity and promoting balanced development across institutions. A combination of literature review and expert consultation was employed. Based on the 'structure-process-outcome' theoretical framework, four dimensions—TCM resource allocation, TCM services, TCM revenue and expenditure, and service efficiency—along with 15 indicators were identified to evaluate TCM service capacity. These were converted into a structured questionnaire, and on-site surveys were carried out at primary healthcare institutions in selected districts and counties between July and September 2024 using cluster sampling. The entropy-weighted TOPSIS method was used to comprehensively evaluate the TCM service capacity of the surveyed institutions. Using the non-parametric rank-sum and ratio method, the TCM service capacity of primary healthcare institutions was categorised into three tiers. Finally, multiple stepwise regression analysis was conducted to identify the influencing factors. The classification results showed that 17 institutions (15.6%), 74 institutions (67.9%), and 18 institutions (15.6%) were rated as having poor, moderate, and good TCM service capabilities, respectively. Regression analysis revealed the following factors influencing TCM service capacity: floor area allocated to TCM clinical services, number of TCM beds, total number of TCM medical techniques practised, number of patients receiving TCM preventive healthcare services, number of TCM outpatient visits, number of patients receiving TCM non-pharmacological therapies, and the rate of TCM health management for children aged 0–3 years. The overall level of TCM service capacity in primary healthcare institutions in Chongqing is not high, and further efforts are required to optimise resource allocation and enhance distinctive TCM services.

KEYWORDS

Primary healthcare institutions, Traditional Chinese medicine service capacity, Comprehensive evaluation

CITE THIS PAPER

Sili Zhu, Yang Pu, Weiwei Liu. Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Service Capabilities in Primary Healthcare Institutions Using the Entropy-Weighted TOPSIS and RSR Methods: A Cross-Sectional Study. MEDS Public Health and Preventive Medicine (2026). Vol. 6, No.1, 78-87. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.23977/phpm.2026.060110.

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