Table 2 Five domains, 18 attributes and their exemplar quotes generated from qualitative interviews among 58 participants

Clinical competency (56)

Experience (45)

“Experienced physicians know more about diseases, and they know what it is once they grasp the patient’s symptoms.” (LY7) “A good doctor should work for more than five years.” (LY6) “The professional capacity is the most important thing for doctors, and the expertise of doctors in community health centers is still much worse than that of hospital doctors.” (JN5) “(Firmly)

Qualification (23)

“Doctors in the community are certainly not allowed to work without certification. But now the state regulation is stricter, allowing doctors with medical qualifications to work in the community.” (JN2) “Some community doctors came from hospitals and were professionally trained. This gives the impression that the doctor is very professional.” (LY6)

Knowledge (22)

“Community doctors should be clinically well rounded, with knowledge of various specialties such as internal medicine, surgery and gynaecology.” (TY4) “Community health center physicians should be proactive in learning new medical knowledge.” (HZ5)

Effectiveness (16)

“I expect a positive change in my condition as a result of the doctor’s treatment.” (LY1)

Diagnose acumen (14)

“I don’t require doctor to prescribe medication that works instantly. But he should at least be able to prescribe the right drugs for the symptoms.” (LY2) “(Firmly) “A good doctor can identify the disease based on my symptoms in a short period of time through effective communication.” (XA7)

Professionalism & humanism

(54)

Service attitude (38)

“Doctors should treat patients kindly during consultations and not make them feel anxious.” (HRB12) “The attitude of community health center doctors could learn from doctors in private medical institutions, that is, treating patients more warmly.” (JN5)

Professionalism (19)

“Doctors should take simple tasks such as giving vaccinations and measuring height and weight seriously as well.” (TY5)

Empathy (13)

“Doctors at community health centers in cities are very nice to patients. (Sigh) But the attitude of doctors at township health centers in rural areas is relatively not very good. Good doctors are able to put themselves in the patient’s shoes and comfort and encourage them.” (JN2)

Respect (13)

“I hope the doctor could consider my views when prescribing medication. (Smile bitterly)” (XA1)

Knowledge of patient (11)

“Doctors should consider the patient’s personal situation and ask if they are allergic to certain drugs. They should prescribe drugs according to symptoms after asking about the patient’s condition.” (TY8)

Patience (10)

“A good doctor should communicate patiently with patients.” (LY6) “Since the work of doctors in community health centers involves frequent contact with children, such as vaccinations. Doctors should show patience with children.” (TY5)

Service provision

(43)

Practice scope (33)

“Family physicians can tell me how to prevent the disease by saying something like exercise more and avoid eating high-sugar fried foods. (Pause) Many diabetics in the community don’t know how to take care of themselves.” (XA3) “They should be able to handle various common diseases.” (HZ4) “It is important to follow up the patient. My doctor should call me a few days after I leave the community health center to ask if I’m getting better.” (HRB8)

Practice approach (19)

“If the community doctor can’t handle it, he / she should inform the patient, suggest the patient to refer to the hospital, or recommend the doctor in hospitals to the patient.” (TY2) “I prefer to consult the same doctor who has diagnosed me before because he is familiar with my condition.” (HZ9) “Community health centers should build a community patient WeChat group where doctors are able to provide online guidance for community residents.” (TY6)

Information communication

(36)

Information gathering (28)

“The doctor should ask the patient in detail about his or her symptoms.” (HRB4) “The doctor should listen to my description of the symptoms.” (HZ10)

Information provision (20)

“I hope the doctor can explain to me how my condition may progress in the future.” (JN6) “The doctor should explain to me what each medication prescribed to me does.” (LY6)

Personal characteristics

(24)

Age (19)

“There should be more middle-aged and elderly doctors in the community, because they are more senior. Young doctors are less experienced.” (XA3)

Education (15)

“I expect doctors in community health centers to have at least bachelor’s degrees, preferably master’s degrees.” (HZ6)

Personality (5)

“(Smile) It is best for community doctors to have a milder disposition. The doctors in my community are good-tempered.” (JN3)