OBJECTIVES

To assess the perceived quality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) care in community health centres in Hangzhou of China.

METHODS

A cross-sectional survey was conducted on TCM users. Four community health centres were randomly selected across four districts in Hangzhou. 472 TCM users in the participating community health centres completed a questionnaire.

RESULTS

Average ratings on the five aspects of TCM care ranged from 76 to 88 out of a possible 100, with assurance attracting the highest and empathy attracting the lowest score. Higher ratings were found in women and urban employees, and those who worked in the public sector and lived a longer distance to the nearest community health centres. Both first time and more frequent TCM users rated lower on TCM care. Higher ratings were associated with willingness to continue services, but not necessarily recommendations of the services.

CONCLUSIONS

TCM is an integral part of community health services. Overall, the quality of TCM care is well recognised by its users in community health services in Hangzhou, in particular women and urban employees.