Research on Doctor-Patient Conflicts in the Development of the Special Economic Zones—A Case Study of Shenzhen

Abstract

Medical conflicts are prevalent to a varying degree in special economic zones. With a case study of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone, this paper conducts a field survey of the situations of doctor-patient conflicts in 13 public hospitals directly under the Public Hospital Administration of Shenzhen Municipality. Results show that the possible reasons for the tensions between doctors and patients in public hospitals of the Shenzhen SEZ possibly lie in mutual distrust between doctors and patients, the unbalanced distribution of medical resources, “expensive medical bills and difficult access to quality medical services” and improper supervision over the doctor-patient relationships. In order to alleviate medical conflicts, the Shenzhen SEZ lays stress on the effective communication between doctors and patients, on strengthening the professional ethics of doctors and quality management of medical services, increasing publicity and regulating media behavior, and exploring the medical liability insurance system. To further build a harmonious doctor-patient relationship, based on relevant theories, a summary is made for typical models at home and abroad to deal with medical conflicts, such as the three-level complaints and general practitioners in the UK, the system of “patients’ rights protector” in the USA, the mechanism for the prevention and resolution of medical disputes in Japan, and “Ningbo Solution” and “Guangdong Model” of medical disputes. Finally, for building a harmonious doctor-patient relationship in the public hospitals of the Shenzhen SEZ, three suggestions are put forward, including a mechanism for the smooth and effective handling of medical disputes, a stable mechanism for the prevention of medical disputes and further deepening of the all-around reform of public hospitals.