GP shortage hampers family doctor service

"Most of them are age 60 or older and they have chronic illnesses," he said.

Liu, the GP, said the family doctor service has become increasingly popular in recent years, with about 500 patients visiting the center every day, compared with about 30 in 2010.

"After being reimbursed by the basic medical insurance program, the consultation fee is just 1 yuan (15 cents) per visit, which is far cheaper than in tertiary hospitals, but it is free for people age 60 and older," she said.

In addition, as a result of medical reform in Beijing which started in April, community hospitals can now purchase and prescribe almost every medication available in large hospitals.

That has brought greater convenience and raised the popularity of community hospitals and health centers, she said.

Chen Baofeng, a 55-year-old resident of Xiguan community in Beijing's suburban Changping district, has high blood pressure.

She said the doctors at the community health center pay great attention to patients and, unlike specialist physicians at large urban hospitals, they are willing to spend time talking with them.

"I would have to drive to a big hospital, and the complex prescription procedures mean it would take at least three hours to collect my medication," she said. "But I can collect the drugs in just 10 minutes at the local health center."

Chen is also able to collect medication for her 87-year-old mother-in-law, who has diabetes and a chronic heart condition, sparing the elderly lady the need to leave home.

"My doctor knows my mother-in-law, and I can also ask him to visit our house and provide treatment or infusions for her," she said.

Future challenges

According to Wu, from Xiluoyuan Community Health Service Center, the biggest challenge to promoting family doctor services is a lack of GPs at the grassroots.

The community of 86,000 is served by just 28 family doctors, which means it is impossible to provide care for every resident, he said, adding that more government investment is required to effectively promote and improve the service.