New blood in public health care system
Print Edition
A group of young and energetic family physicians in Putuo District are dispelling prejudices against China’s post-1980 generation, most of whom are the only child in their family and have long been branded egotistical and spoiled.
Working in local residential communities and at community health centers, these young doctors have impressed residents with their careful diagnosis and treatment.
If necessary, they also transfer patients to larger hospitals and pay regular health visits to them.
The family doctor health care system was introduced in Shanghai in 2011, said Huang Ziliang, an official with the Putuo District Health and Family Planning Commission,
“To date we have 189 family doctors — around 70 percent of the district’s registered general practitioners,” says Huang. “More than 400,000 residents have signed contracts with them, accounting for 45 percent of the district’s total.”
Many of the contracted family doctors are aged between 30 to 40 years old. The system has also established a database for patients with chronic diseases to provide timely help.
Wu Zheng, who is in his 30s, is one of the most popular post-1980 generation family physicians at Changshou Community Health Center.
Devotion and patience
Wu has impressed patients with his devotion, patience and knowledge. And he can perform the impressive feat of remembering the names of more than 1,500 elderly patients.
Over the years, he has produced a comprehensive digital record of patient information, which helps him remember major symptoms. His efforts have won him praise from his patients, with many elderly people saying they receive good care and respect from the young doctor.
Personal loss made Wu determined to tackle disease prevention and offer early intervention. His father died during his first year as a physician, and the young doctor recalls that his father had shown symptoms several years before. He would have lived longer if early intervention measures had been in place, says Wu.
Wu pays regular visits to communities, offering his expertise and experience. He encourages stroke patients to move and perform self-care tasks while treating them with traditional Chinese manipulation. He also shares stories to reduce patient anxieties, fears and frustrations.
“As a family doctor, we should firstly regard our patients as family members and give them care and support accordingly,” Wu says.
A young doctor at Changzhen Town Community Health Center is 31-year-old Hubei Province native Hu Chengwei.
Among patients grateful for his care is Song Yu, an elderly woman. Song was diagnosed with a urinary tract infections at a large hospital. But when she came to the community health center to get her medication, Hu expressed doubts about the diagnosis. After examination and assessment, Hu told Song that an overactive thyroid gland was the real reason why she was growing thin, and had her treated accordingly.
Another of the team is Zhou Ting, a general practitioner who works to increase local residents’ awareness in health care and makes frequent home visits.
For the past three years, Zhou has taken care of an elderly man, surnamed Du, suffering from paralysis. Du’s wife has Alzheimer’s disease and their only son works away from Shanghai.
Zhou visits Du regularly, administering regular treatment.
Du’s family say they are grateful for Zhou’s devotion and perseverance. And from their smiles Zhou says he realizes his vocation as a family doctor.
“This is where I find fulfillment, acceptance, purpose and value in life,” Zhou says.
Identified cancer symptoms
Fellow young doctor Hua Zhijia has gained popularity among Putuo residents for his traditional Chinese medicine expertise. He teaches patients simple knowledge and approaches in health care and has identified early cancer symptoms in patients.
Hua is also engaged in the studies of TCM treatment on bone fractures and diabetic osteoporosis.
For Zhang Yong, a general practitioner from Changfeng Community Health Center, the family physician service plays a very important role in residents’ health care and disease prevention.
“A family doctor should be available whenever needed. Even when not working, they should always keep their responsibility for their patients in mind,” says Zhang.
An 83-year-old woman, surnamed Du, received frequent rehabilitation training at the health center. One day she had a fever, but showed no sign of infection. Zhang speculated that it might be caused by bone fracture.
X-rays were taken and, sure enough, it was discovered that Du’s right femur was broken. She then received timely and appropriate treatment.
The family physician service offers residents in Putuo convenience and helps to ease difficulties in seeking doctors at large general hospitals, say officials.
Young family doctors have shown their confidence, devotion and strong sense of responsibility. At the same time, most have also found great fulfillment in their work, say officials.
Government officials heap high praise on these young family doctors, calling them “new blood in the public health care system.”
This year, Putuo District Health and Family Planning Commission plans to recruit more family physicians.
In addition to clinical expertise, training will focus on communication skills with patients.
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