The "Iron Triangle" of Healthcare Services: Evaluating an Integrated Healthcare Alliance's Impact on Primary Care in Shenzhen, China

Introduction

In response to the challenges of inequitable healthcare access and underdeveloped primary care systems, integrated care reforms have emerged as a promising solution. This study examines the effectiveness of one such reform, i.e. the establishment of a cross-regional, tightly integrated healthcare alliance (specifically an urban healthcare group) in the resource-constrained Dapeng District of Shenzhen, China. We assess its impact on service delivery performance through the lens of three core health system objectives: accessibility, quality, and affordability.