Assessment and Predictive Analysis of Health Professions Students' Proficiency in Health Economics and Pharmacoeconomics in the Southwest of China

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate health professions students in Southwest China regarding their understanding and attitudes towards health economics and pharmacoeconomics. The primary goal was to identify educational gaps and needs, thereby enhancing curriculum development and deepening comprehension in these vital areas.

METHODS: A comprehensive survey was conducted among 781 students in health-related fields. It focused on demographics, knowledge levels, and attitudes towards health economics and pharmacoeconomics. The study utilized principal component analysis (PCA), Spearman correlation, and regression models for data analysis. Various visualization tools, such as bar plots, heatmaps, and confusion matrices, were employed for data presentation.

RESULTS: Demographic analysis revealed a majority of female students (64.92%) with a significant presence in the 21-24 age group, predominantly in Pharmacy. Students demonstrated moderate knowledge levels, with average scores in 'Supply and Demand' (2.95/5), 'Cost Effectiveness' (2.99/5), and 'Insurance Reimbursement' (2.99/5). PCA indicated shared foundational knowledge across domains. Spearman correlations showed strong intra-domain connections, notably a 0.78 correlation between 'Supply_Demand' and 'Cost_Effectiveness', but weaker links between knowledge levels and attitudes towards health economics' educational importance. Regression analyses pinpointed gender and academic progression as significant knowledge determinants. Males had higher understanding in areas like supply and demand (coefficient: 0.2246), whereas first-year students exhibited considerable knowledge deficits (coefficient: -1.0657). Expertise in 'Economic Evaluation' positively influenced attitudes (coefficient: 0.167), contrasting with negative correlations in 'Cost Effectiveness' and 'Pricing Strategies' (coefficients between -0.049 and -0.086).

CONCLUSIONS: The study uncovers foundational, yet uneven, knowledge of health economics among health profession students, highlighting significant opportunities for curriculum enhancement, especially in complex areas. It underscores the need for curriculum revisions to bridge knowledge gaps and positively shape attitudes towards health economics. The findings advocate for future educational strategies focusing on interactive, engaging, and comprehensive learning experiences to enhance future health professionals' proficiency in these essential economic disciplines.