Introduction Globally, primary care (PC) features like accessibility, continuity, and coordination enhance health outcomes. In China, 940,000 public facilities delivered 4.266 billion PC visits in 2022 (50.68% of total visits), focusing on chronic disease management and public health. Unlike Western gatekeeper models, China’s PC lacks this structure, influencing its characteristics and effectiveness.

Objective This review synthesises China’s PC functional features and their relationship with health service outcomes since 2009, combining quantitative and qualitative evidence.

Methods Using the JBI mixed-methods framework, we will search PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Google Scholar, CNKI, and Wanfang Data for studies (quantitative, qualitative, mixed-methods). Two reviewers will screen and assess quality with JBI tools (>50% threshold). A convergent segregated approach integrates quantitative data (feature strength, associations with outcomes) with qualitative insights (stakeholder views on features and effects).

Discussion This review may shed light on the functional features of China’s primary care system and their relationship with health service outcomes. The synthesized evidence could inform clinical practice, health service delivery, and health policy regarding the health service process of primary care in China, while also identifying areas for future research.

The authors have declared no competing interest.

Funding: 2024 Shanghai City Yangpu District Science and Technology and Economic Committee Deepening Medical Reform Innovation Research Project, Grant Number: YPYG202403 National Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant Number: 72104183

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