Objective To analyze the structure and characteristics of China's daytime medical policy system, providing references for the formulation and optimization of daytime medical policies. Methods Relevant daytime medical policy documents issued in China from 2012 to 2023 were reviewed. Based on policy instrument theory and the structure⁃process⁃outcome (SPO) model theory, a three⁃dimensional analytical framework comprising basic policy instrument types (X⁃dimension), SPO model (Y⁃dimension), and policy text clarity (Z⁃dimension) was constructed to analyze China's daytime medical policy documents. Results In the X⁃dimension, the usage proportions of supply⁃side, environmental, and demand⁃side policy instruments were 19.2%, 63.4%, and 17.4%, respectively. In the Y⁃dimension, the usage proportions of policy instruments at the structure, process, and outcome levels were 43.0%, 35.5%, and 21.5%, respectively. In the Z⁃dimension, the usage proportions of policy instruments with clear, relatively clear, and vague text clarity were 23.3%, 35.5%, and 41.3%, respectively. Conclusion There is insufficient use of demand⁃side policy instruments within the X⁃dimension, while environmental policy instruments are applied more frequently. Within the Y⁃dimension, demand⁃side policy instruments at the structural level are lacking, and the use of outcome⁃level policy instruments is insufficient. The overall clarity of policy texts in the Z⁃dimension is relatively vague. It is recommended to scientifically balance the application of the three basic policy instrument categories, supplement the use of outcome⁃level policy instruments, promptly refine specific policy provisions, and enhance the clarity of policy texts.