Family doctor contracted service is a pivotal measure for deepening the reform of the pharmaceutical and healthcare system and implementing the hierarchical medical system in China. It also serves as a cornerstone for the "Healthy China" strategy. Based on extensive empirical research and policy literature, this paper systematically reviews the development of family doctor services in China and analyzes the evolutionary logic from adopting Western experiences to localized exploration. Currently, China has preliminarily established a family doctor service network covering both urban and rural areas. However, the existing system still faces several challenges, including low public trust, "signing without servicing," inadequate incentive mechanisms for medical staff, a lack of legal risk protection, and lagging information technology infrastructure. To address these issues, this paper proposes several optimization strategies: 1) refining multidisciplinary collaborative teams by introducing professional forces such as pharmacists and traditional Chinese medicine practitioners; 2) leveraging "Internet+" and artificial intelligence to enhance service efficiency and coverage; 3) improving performance evaluation and compensation incentives to boost the motivation of medical personnel; and 4) perfecting laws and risk-sharing mechanisms for home-based medical services. By implementing these comprehensive measures, the study aims to promote the transition of family doctor services from scale expansion to high-quality development, ensuring they effectively fulfill their role as "gatekeepers" of residents' health.

Haishi Yu, Chao Sun. Current Status and Optimization Strategies for China's Family Doctor Contracted Service System. International Journal of Frontiers in Medicine (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 1: 60-66. https://doi.org/10.25236/IJFM.2026.080107.

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