Comprehensive analysis and study on resource allocation efficiency in primary medical and health institutions in western China

Background: Many problems exist with allocation of vital medical resources in several regions of China. This study examines healthcare resource allocation efficiency of individual provinces in Western China was analyzed to provide a reference for optimizing regional health resource allocation. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of grassroots healthcare resource allocation efficiency by province in Western China from 2012 to 2021 was conducted using the data envelopment analysis (DEA)-Malmquist model combined with rank-sum ratio analysis. Results: Five DEA regions were robustly effective in 2021. Four non-DEA effective regions had different degrees of input redundancy and output deficiency. 2) The mean total factor value productivity of primary healthcare resources in Western China from 2012 to 2021 was 0.96, showing a decreasing trend. 3) Chongqing and Sichuan were ranked third, indicating the highest efficiency of health resource allocation. Conclusions: The overall efficiency of resource allocation of primary healthcare institutions in Western China is declining. Furthermore, technological progress is generally low and varies significantly by region. Therefore, developing multifaceted and innovative efficiency improvement strategies in a targeted manner according to regional characteristics is required.