Revisiting current barefoot doctors in border areas of China: system of services financial issue and clinical practice prior to introducing integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI)

摘要

BackgroundUnder-5-years child mortality remains high in rural China. Integrated management of childhood illness (IMCI) was introduced to China in 1998, but only a few rural areas have been included. This study aimed at assessing the current situation of the health system of rural health care and evaluating the clinical competency of village doctors in management of childhood illnesses prior to implementing IMCI programme in remote border rural areas.