Paradigm Evolution and Development Trend of Medical and Health Informatization Policy in China-Based on the Analysis of Policy Changes since 1986

Based on Baumgartner and Jones' interrupted-equilibrium theory policy change analysis paradigm, this study identifies and analyzes the paradigm of health informatization policy change during 1986-2016 around the policy venues and landscape, and finds that China's health informatization policy has roughly gone through three policy paradigm phases during its 30 years of development: weak equilibrium stage (2001-2006), strong discontinuity (2007-2008) and strong equilibrium (2009-present). Combined with the analytical framework of intermittent-equilibrium theory, it is found that China's health informatization policy exhibits an intermittent-equilibrium nonlinear trend. The policy venues and policy landscape at different stages of the paradigm show great differences, and after 2009, health informatization policy has become more people-centered, highlighting the sharing of information and the enhancement of health service ability.