Risk Management and Healthcare Policy (Apr 2022)
What are the Bad Habits and Behaviors of Inconsiderate Doctors in Chinese Inhabitants’ Mind? A Cross-Sectional Study
Abstract
Hong-Ni Wang,1 Jing-Hui Wang,2 Xin Zhao,1 Xiao-He Wang,1 Meng Zhang,1 Yu Shi,3 Shu-E Zhang,2 Tao Sun,1 Bei Liu4 1Department of Health Management, School of Public Health, Hangzhou Normal University, Hangzhou, People’s Republic of China; 2School of Bioinformatics Science and Technology, Harbin Medical University, Harbin, People’s Republic of China; 3Department of Health Management, School of Vanke Public Health, Tsinghua University, Beijing, People’s Republic of China; 4School of Public Health, Peking University, Beijing, People’s Republic of ChinaCorrespondence: Tao Sun; Bei Liu, Email [email protected]; [email protected]: This study aims to 1) investigate inhabitants’ perceptions of doctors’ inconsiderate behaviors during diagnosis and treatment, 2) explore the factors influencing inhabitants’ attitudes toward doctors’ professional reputation, and 3) examine the status of doctors’ inconsiderate behaviors and inhabitants’ attitudes and behaviors toward these doctors in China.Patients and Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted with 2050 participants from over 30 Chinese cities, from March to June 2018. In total, 1598 valid questionnaires were obtained (with an effective response rate of 77.95%). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, exploratory factor analysis, and logistic linear regression analysis.Results: We developed a questionnaire comprising of 15 items regarding doctors’ inconsiderate behaviors based on inhabitants’ perspectives (Cronbach’s alpha was 0.944). Additionally, we identified the factors that influence the attitudes of inhabitants regarding doctors’ professional reputation, such as frequency of medical consultations, medical expenses, education catalog, and type of medical insurance. A majority of the participants highly valued Chinese doctors’ professional reputation (87.55%), and trusted them (86.29%). However, about 60.27% of the participants reported a pessimistic-like judgment on the current doctor–patient relationship (DPR) in China. Participants believed that Chinese doctors received a high income (20.47%), maintained a high social status (23.46%), and had a heavy workload (59.95%). Furthermore, about 54.88% of participants reported that they would not engage in aggressive behaviors against doctors during a dispute. Lastly, about 26.66% of participants reported that they would act rationally when they were dissatisfied with their doctors.Conclusion: Impassive emotions and improper actions of doctors toward patients jointly contributed to the disrepute of Chinese doctors. Although DPR was becoming tense, Chinese inhabitants held a positive evaluation of doctors’ professional reputation. While an improvement in the economic situation and reputation of doctors enhanced the DPR, there remains an urgent need to improve the working environment in regard to future Chinese health reforms.Keywords: Chinese doctors, inconsiderate behaviors, inhabitants’ perspective, doctor–patient relationship
