DEVELOPING METRICS FOR ASSESSING CORE PUBLIC HEALTH DISCIPLINES IN CHONGQING’S PUBLIC HOSPITALS: IMPLICATIONS FOR HEALTH AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

In China, public hospitals are pivotal in delivering medical and health services, with a growing emphasis on the integration of sports and physical activity to boost community health outcomes. This study focused on constructing a comprehensive evaluation index specifically for assessing public health disciplines in Chongqing’s public hospitals, with a particular lens on sports and physical fitness initiatives. Using a combination of literature analysis, brainstorming sessions, and fishbone analysis, the research developed a multi-dimensional evaluation system that includes 8 primary, 20 secondary, and 51 tertiary indices tailored to also assess sports-related health services. This index system was applied across 43 public hospitals in Chongqing to assess and grade their performance in integrating physical activity into public health. Factor analysis validated these indices, confirming that the factors extracted corresponded well with the initially set primary indices and accurately reflected the performance of the hospitals. This confirms the effectiveness of the evaluation framework in not only enhancing the strategic development of public health disciplines but also in promoting physical activity as a core component of health prevention and management. The developed framework serves as a strategic tool to enhance the capabilities of hospitals in addressing health through sports and contributes broadly to advancing the public health system’s role in fostering a healthier, more active community.