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Launch of CAHHF Round 2 Activity “Research on Prevention and Management of Doctor-Patient Disputes”
As the Chinese market economy develops and living standards improve, awareness of legal rights and expectations of health service standards have risen. Hand in hand with these changes has come a sharp increase in doctor-patient disputes. One district court in Beijing reported that a jump in its numbers of medical disputes from 13 cases in 2000 to 200 in 2008.
Doctor-patient disputes disrupt service delivery and are costing the health service more and more each year. On 29th January 2010, the CAHHF-funded Research on Prevention and Management of Doctor-Patient Disputes was launched in Beijing. Implemented by the Chinese Hospital Association, the activity aims to develop policy advice to prevent and manage doctor-patient disputes. The research will focus on several issues including improving patient-doctor communication, risk sharing in hospitals, the role of third-party mediation and exploring the potential for a medical compensation mechanism.
A total of 39 participants attended the launch ceremony, which was presided over by Mr. Li Yuedong, General Secretary of the Chinese Hospital Association. Participants included representatives from the Department of Health Policy and Regulations, the Division of Complaints and Appeal, and the Division of European, American and Oceania Affairs of the Ministry of Health; AusAID; CAHHF; and journalists from The Beijing News and Health News.
Speakers at the event stressed the importance of further research into this hot topic, which is of particular relevance during this period of Chinese health reform. Ms. Zhao Ning, Divisional Director of the Department of Health Policy and Regulations, suggested that the research could identify more detailed and practicable communication models to prevent doctor-patient disputes in hospitals. Dr. Nie Jiangang Director of the Ministry of Health’s Division of European, American and Oceania Affairs emphasised the importance of translating the research results into policy impacts.
After the opening ceremony, Ms. Zheng Xueqian, the research manager presented on the project background and implementation plan. This was followed by presentations by two pilot site representatives on the communication and complaint processes, which lead to heated discussion among the participants.
The launch received full backing from MOH leaders and representatives from other agencies, such as the Beijing Supreme Court and the Medical Disputes Interceding Centre of Health Law Society. This support bodes well for the uptake of policy recommendations arising from the research.