Analysis of Medical Service Utilization Differences Between Floating and Registered Populations Based on Mobile Signaling Data

Accurately assessing the utilization of medical services in floating and registered populations is crucial for the sustainable use of urban healthcare resources and the social equity. At present, the research on medical resource allocation lacks attention to the utilization of medical services by the floating population, especially long-staying population, which affects the fairness of medical resource allocation. This study constructs an approach for identifying the floating population using mobile signaling data and then investigates their duration of stay, spatial distribution, and clustering patterns. On this basis, the criteria for assessing healthcare-seeking behavior are developed to compare the behaviors of cross-province long-staying floating populations with those of registered residents, offering deeper insights into the medical behaviors of the floating population. This study takes Ningbo City as a case, providing valuable insights into its healthcare development. The findings aim to offer a scientific basis for urban medical reforms and the effective allocation of public healthcare services.