| Summary: | Background One key to the development of the tiered diagnosis and treatment system lies in the establishment of a gatekeeping system in primary care supporting the implementation of first contact in primary care and the achievement of orderly healthcare-seeking. And the serving capacities of primary care professionals are essential in implementing first contact in primary care. Objective To understand the overall level of Henan primary care physicians' capabilities of diagnosing and treating common diseases, and to put recommendations for solving the problems. Methods In August 2020, by use of typical sampling method, physicians were selected from all primary care hospitals in four areas of Henan Province (Kaifeng's Xiangfu District and Lankao County, and Jiaozuo's Weidu District and Yanling County) . An online self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted with them for collecting information about their demographics, and capabilities of diagnosing and treating common diseases (involving the identification and diagnosis of common diseases, interpretation of relevant auxiliary examinations, and prescription of common medications) . Results In all, 1 844 cases attended the survey, and 1 669 of them (90.51%) who effectively responded to the survey were included for final analysis. Among the 1 669 respondents, 917 (54.94%) had secondary health school education level or below, 663 (39.72%) had no professional title, 524 (31.40%) had a rural doctor certificate, and 509 (30.50%) had a practicing certificate. Among the 1 117 village doctors, 722 (64.64%) were 45 years old and above, 83 (7.43%) were 60 years old and above, and 848 (75.92%) had secondary health school education level or below. Among 1 631 respondents, 1 564 (95.89%) were basically able to diagnose and identify common diseases, 1 402 (86.00%) could interpret the results of common auxiliary examinations, 1 542 (94.54%) could prescribe common medications, and 1 336 (81.91%) had capabilities to diagnose and treat common diseases. Compared with urban primary care physicians, rural primary care physicians had higher level of capabilities in identifying and diagnosing common diseases as well as prescribing common medications, but lower level of capabilities in interpreting biochemical tests and electrocardiogram results (P<0.05) . Conclusion In general, the overall level of professional qualities was unsatisfactory in Henan primary care physicians, especially in those working in rural areas. Their level of capabilities for diagnosing and treating common diseases was generally satisfactory, although there is still much room for improvement. A sound cooperative mechanism between primary care hospitals and higher level hospitals should be established to ensure the safety in primary care.
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