%0 Journal Article
%T Factors influencing integration of TB services in general hospitals in two regions of China: a qualitative study
%A Guanyang Zou
%A Xiaolin Wei
%A John D Walley
%A Jia Yin
%A Qiang Sun
%J BMC Health Services Research
%D 2012
%I BioMed Central
%R 10.1186/1472-6963-12-21
%X This study adopted a qualitative approach using interviews from sites in East and West China. Analysis was conducted using a thematic framework approach.The more prosperous site in East China was more coordinated and thus had a better method of resource allocation and more patient-orientated service, compared with the poorer site in the West. The development of public health organizations appeared to influence how effectively integration occurred. An understanding from staff that hospitals had better capacity to treat TB patients than CDCs was a strong rationale for integration. However, the economic and political interests might act as a barrier to effective integration. Both sites shared the same challenges of attracting and retaining a skilled workforce for the TB services. The role of the health bureau was more directive in the Western site, while a more participatory and collaborative approach was adopted in the Eastern site.The process of integration identifies similarities and differences between sites in more affluent East China and poorer West China. Integration of TB services in the hospitals needs to address the challenges of stakeholder motivations and resource allocation. Effective inter-organizational collaboration could help to improve the efficiency and quality of TB service. Key words: TB control, service delivery, integration, hospitals, China.Tuberculosis (TB) control is of great public health importance, particularly in many low-and middle-income countries. The World Health Organization (WHO) TB strategy, brand named "DOTS", is based on five essential elements: political commitment; case detection using sputum microscopy; standardized short course chemotherapy; regular drug supply; and monitoring and evaluation [1]. WHO and International Union against TB and Lung Disease (IUATLD) have strongly recommended that TB and other disease control programmes should be closely integrated within wider health systems. However, in many countries national TB p
%K TB control
%K service delivery
%K integration
%K hospitals
%K China
%U http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6963/12/21