Facing up to the threat in China

Abstract

As young doctors in China, we feel strongly about the grim situation in our country, which was mentioned in the Editorial entitled “Chinese doctors are under threat”.1The LancetChinese doctors are under threat.Lancet. 2010; 376: 657Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (137) Google Scholar Improper health-care system reforms did not acquire Chinese doctors a deserved improvement in social and economic status. Owing to misleading media reports and public misunderstanding of the medical profession, Chinese doctors have become progressively demonised.We are particularly excited by the Editorial's call for Chinese doctors to be involved more in shaping health policy, by giving voice to their own experiences and constructive ideas about the health system. Fortunately, the new health-care system reforms include more financial input from government and abrogating reversal of the burden of proof in medical disputes, which had been long requested by medical personnel. We can expect a promising future.On the other hand, young trainee doctors such as ourselves should be quite clear what a good doctor is, and how we can become one, especially in the eyes of patients. Patients' priorities for general practice care include humaneness, competence and accuracy, involvement in decisions, and time for care.2Wensing M Jung HP Mainz J Olesen F Grol R A systematic review of the literature on patient priorities for general practice care. Part 1: description of the research domain.Soc Sci Med. 1998; 47: 1573-1588Crossref PubMed Scopus (272) Google Scholar Effective communication and correct assumptions about patients' preferences are important for dealing with doctor–patient relationships in China. To face up to the threat in China, we should fulfil the Hippocratic oath, learn how to put ourselves at patients' disposal, and earn their trust.We declare that we have no conflicts of interest. As young doctors in China, we feel strongly about the grim situation in our country, which was mentioned in the Editorial entitled “Chinese doctors are under threat”.1The LancetChinese doctors are under threat.Lancet. 2010; 376: 657Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (137) Google Scholar Improper health-care system reforms did not acquire Chinese doctors a deserved improvement in social and economic status. Owing to misleading media reports and public misunderstanding of the medical profession, Chinese doctors have become progressively demonised. We are particularly excited by the Editorial's call for Chinese doctors to be involved more in shaping health policy, by giving voice to their own experiences and constructive ideas about the health system. Fortunately, the new health-care system reforms include more financial input from government and abrogating reversal of the burden of proof in medical disputes, which had been long requested by medical personnel. We can expect a promising future. On the other hand, young trainee doctors such as ourselves should be quite clear what a good doctor is, and how we can become one, especially in the eyes of patients. Patients' priorities for general practice care include humaneness, competence and accuracy, involvement in decisions, and time for care.2Wensing M Jung HP Mainz J Olesen F Grol R A systematic review of the literature on patient priorities for general practice care. Part 1: description of the research domain.Soc Sci Med. 1998; 47: 1573-1588Crossref PubMed Scopus (272) Google Scholar Effective communication and correct assumptions about patients' preferences are important for dealing with doctor–patient relationships in China. To face up to the threat in China, we should fulfil the Hippocratic oath, learn how to put ourselves at patients' disposal, and earn their trust. We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.