Objective To explore the association between the ability to diagnose and treat common diseases and the capacity to provide health management services among grassroots doctors, from the perspective of integrating disease treatment and prevention, and to provide a reference for improving grassroots doctors’ health management service capacity.

Methods An online self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in August 2020 among 8 469 specialists, general practitioners, and rural doctors. Participants were recruited using stratified multi-stage sampling and typical sampling from primary healthcare institutions located in 11 municipalities across eastern, central, and western China. Utilizing a previously self-developed index system for evaluating the health service capabilities of grassroots doctors, the survey questionnaire was designed based on indicators related to health management service capabilities. The questionnaire assessed the health management service capabilities of primary care physicians in three areas: diagnosis and treatment of common diseases, health management, and health promotion.

Results Of all the participants, 5 288 (62.44%) were practicing (assistant) doctors, 2 201 (25.99%) were rural doctors, and 6 497 (76.72%) were assessed as capable of diagnosing and treating common diseases. Among all the grassroots doctors surveyed, 7 099 (83.82%) had the ability to provide nutritional guidance for children, and 7 068 (83.46%) could conduct physical examinations for children as part of children's health management. Regarding women's health management, 6 746 (79.66%) could provide family planning guidance, 6 539 (77.21%) offered prenatal health guidance, 5 921 (69.91%) provided perimenopausal health care, and 5 456 (64.42%) conducted cervical/breast cancer screening. More than 90% of the participants were assessed as able to conduct health management for the elderly and individuals with chronic conditions. However, only 6 234 (73.61%) had the ability to analyze community health issues.

Conclusions The ability to diagnose and treat common illnesses significantly affects the capacity of grassroots doctors to deliver health management services. Moreover, there is a noticeable gap in the health management service capabilities among grassroots doctors in China. Therefore, it is crucial to strengthen collaborative service mechanisms between hospitals and primary care institutions.