Relationship between the media and YiNao under the Chinese healthcare system and cultural context

Abstract

BACKGROUND: YiNao is a term that is used to describe violent behaviors against doctors and healthcare facilities. The behaviors are usually based on financial gains. In China, YiNao has been commonly indicated by the reported cases of doctor-patient disputes. Such disputes may take violent or nonviolent forms. Most of the time, the disputes are initiated by patients and families who are unsatisfied with the medical care they receive. They may complain about the high cost of treatment, poor communication, or low quality of care.

Media which have given related news reports to the public could exert influence on the public in the doctor-patient relationship (Wang 2018a).

METHODS: This study used the scoping review methodology to discuss the relationship between the public and media in the doctor-patient relationship in the Chinese healthcare system and whether the wide coverage of the violence within the doctor-patient relationship is determining, exacerbating, changing the nature of the doctor-patient relationship. Also, the study will find whether there are media impacts on patients’ behaviors to doctors.

RESULTS: A total of 152 articles were included. It is discovered that there was a media dissemination and effects process: media->audience->YiNao (Wenxiu 2015).

This process could also be guided by McQuil’s media components (McQuail 2005) and Harold Lasswell’s ‘5W’ model of communication (Wenxiu 2015).

Also, studies showed that researchers have both considered traditional media (mainly mainstream media) as well as social media. This is because news reports from traditional media were more authentic and therefore the continued reliance on social media has its challenges, including the spread of rumors and negative information. When negative or false reports are spread on doctor-patient relationships and disputes, the public is likely to form negative opinions and perspectives and gradually have stereotypes.

Some of them even regard violence as normal and might imitate this. In addition, most of the aim of positive news reports is to improve the doctor-patient relationship but those news reports might have been exaggerated and lacked descriptions of medical limitations to improve the doctor-patient relationship.

However, some of these could increase public expectations of doctors. These perspectives would affect the way patients interact with the public and doctors. For example, a little misunderstanding between a patient and a doctor would result in a conflict instead of exploring peaceful resolution measures.

The increase in YiNao could be attributed to the use of media including social media.

CONCLUSION: Experimental studies such as psychological experiments are required to explain the whole media dissemination and effects process including media effects on patients’ behaviors to doctors. More factors such as geographic data related to this process should also be considered to have a more detailed explanation. In addition, adequate policy-making for medical services as well as media are required to further mitigate the episodes of violence.