Speak Out Rheum: Attacks Against Healthcare Providers in China Spur Chinese Rheumatologists to Heal Strained Doctor–Patient Relationships Through Technology

The doctor–patient relationship in China is rapidly deteriorating. The time and care that a doctor is able to devote to every patient is limited. Hence, communication is greatly strained, and essential elements such as trust and understanding are missing.

Dr. Qiang Tong, MD

On March 23, 2012, a young rheumatologist was stabbed to death by one of his patients. The 28-year-old doctor was just beginning his career and was set to accept a PhD position at a prestigious institute when his life was cut short.¹ This event may come as a shock to many, but unfortunately, this is just one of countless attacks on medical personnel that occur almost every day in China.² In a single year, it was estimated that 10,000 medical personnel were physically injured by patients, and in the past decade, 11 health professionals were killed. Alarmingly, an online survey found that 65% of the participants approved of the assailant’s actions.³

A Troubled Relationship

The doctor–patient relationship in China is rapidly deteriorating.⁴ The time and care that a doctor is able to devote to every patient is limited.⁵ Hence, communication is greatly strained, and essential elements such as trust and understanding are missing. Nevertheless, Chinese doctors are still confident that everything will be better in the future. In addition, the inequitable distribution of medical resources creates major obstacles for providing ideal clinical care. Forty percent of the urban population and 72% of the rural population are still without medical insurance, and the high costs of medical care can lead to dissatisfaction and even violence among patients. Doctors also experience frustration when they do not receive the anticipated monetary or emotional gratification, thus straining the relationship even further.

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