The effect of overuse by primary healthcare institutions on medical expenses: an empirical study from the western regions of China

The study found that overuse is highly prevalent in primary healthcare institutions in the western provinces of China, including two types: over-examination and over-medication, with the problem of excessive medication being more prominent. Overuse has led to an increase in medical expenses, which is specifically reflected in the rise of total medical costs and drug costs. The growth in the number of unnecessary medical items is the main cause of the unreasonable rise in medical expenses.