China to improve training of GPs

China will improve training of general practitioners to support family doctors in their role as the gatekeepers of health, according to a guideline released by the State Council, China's Cabinet, on Wednesday.

"General practitioners are gatekeepers of people's health and controlling medical expenditures," the guideline said. "Speeding up the training of qualified general practitioners is of great significance to improving healthcare services at the grassroots level, promoting services provided by family doctors ... and improving people's health."

It is expected that five qualified general practitioners will be available for every 10,000 residents in China by 2030, which will meet demand, the guideline said.