Ambulatory medical care in the People's Republic of China: an exploratory study.

One hundred thirty-eight persons in varying outpatient settings in the People's Republic of China were interviewed briefly. Hospital outpatient utilization appeared to reflect not only severity of illness, but also patients' attitudes and beliefs, illness behavior patterns, and convenience, modifying the formal system of care to some extent. Traditional clinics in commune and county hospitals were typically used to treat psychiatric disorders (defined as physical conditions), chronic illness, and other conditions for which Western medicine offers only symptomatic treatment.