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Devoted doctor who makes house calls
July 25, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
IT is hard to imagine a Chinese doctor who makes house calls and goes door-to-door offering help. That sounds low status. Doctors work in hospitals where patients wait in line to see them and hang on their every word.
So Chen Hua faced a lot of skepticism at first when she promoted her "family doctor" service and went door-to-door in Zhoujiaqiao Community in Changning District.
The community is among the first to explore the family doctor system in Shanghai, in which residents' histories and medical records are collected.
Before Chen became a family doctor in 2008, she was a surgeon at Zhoujiaqiao Community Public Health Center. At first she was daunted by the prospects of collecting a lot of information from residents who might not be willing to share.
"At the beginning, I felt it was demeaning," she says. "Residents doubted the ability of a family doctor and it took time for them to accept me. It's not like working in a hospital where patients can't wait to meet you and hear your advice."
Chen has done a lot of work to promote herself and become accepted as part of the community.
Besides going door-to-door to introduce herself, she holds lectures on health and fitness, gives free medical treatment and posts notices at each building. She attends almost all meetings of the residents' committee and finds that mailing notices to every family is effective.
"It's very different from treating patients in a hospital. I have to take a lot of time for communication. It's extra work," she says.
Gradually, residents have come to recognize her face and accept her in the community. She needs to collect every resident's medical history and family history. Almost 500 people are on her list.
Children and senior citizens constitute most of her patients. For children, the problem is often fever and for older people the issues are often high blood pressure, diabetes and emotional troubles.
"If they don't come to see me regularly, I'll call them," Chen says. "A close relationship with patients leads to fewer medical disputes."
Chen advocates healthy living and holds lectures twice a month on topics such as diet, nutrition and exercise. Her talks are so popular that residents from other communities sit in.
Dr Chen also has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a license to practice. Each Thursday at the community center she is available for counseling.
"Many health problems are caused by mental and emotional issues," Chen says. "Since people are under a lot of pressure today, they need a way to express their frustration and negative thoughts and to find brightness."
The family doctor concept is a natural in Zhoujiaqiao's community culture, where many people are close to each other in what some call a "club house culture."
Ten years ago, Zhoujiaqiao was an unpopular area with old factories and shabby neighborhoods. Today it's a high-end residential area known for high quality of life. Many residents are professionals, including entrepreneurs, IT executives, company managers and lawyers. Quite a few expatriates live there.
But fast-paced living and high stress can lead to colder relationships among neighbors. To address this issue, the Zhoujiaqiao Community emphasizes neighborhood activities and various hobby groups.
Housewives can join activities and hobby clubs. New Shanghainese can find neighbors who are willing to give free lessons in Shanghai dialect.
"Unlike the interpersonal relationship at companies, it is simpler and relaxed in communities," says resident Chen Liyun.
"In hobby groups we can pick up knowledge, get support and have the fun of sharing. We are a big family," says Chen.
"Getting people to leave their apartments and become involved in groups helps each individual find more social value," says Gu Yannan, who works in the neighborhood committee of Yanlord Riverside Garden.
"It feels good to burn yourself like a candle and brighten other people's lives," Gu says.
So Chen Hua faced a lot of skepticism at first when she promoted her "family doctor" service and went door-to-door in Zhoujiaqiao Community in Changning District.
The community is among the first to explore the family doctor system in Shanghai, in which residents' histories and medical records are collected.
Before Chen became a family doctor in 2008, she was a surgeon at Zhoujiaqiao Community Public Health Center. At first she was daunted by the prospects of collecting a lot of information from residents who might not be willing to share.
"At the beginning, I felt it was demeaning," she says. "Residents doubted the ability of a family doctor and it took time for them to accept me. It's not like working in a hospital where patients can't wait to meet you and hear your advice."
Chen has done a lot of work to promote herself and become accepted as part of the community.
Besides going door-to-door to introduce herself, she holds lectures on health and fitness, gives free medical treatment and posts notices at each building. She attends almost all meetings of the residents' committee and finds that mailing notices to every family is effective.
"It's very different from treating patients in a hospital. I have to take a lot of time for communication. It's extra work," she says.
Gradually, residents have come to recognize her face and accept her in the community. She needs to collect every resident's medical history and family history. Almost 500 people are on her list.
Children and senior citizens constitute most of her patients. For children, the problem is often fever and for older people the issues are often high blood pressure, diabetes and emotional troubles.
"If they don't come to see me regularly, I'll call them," Chen says. "A close relationship with patients leads to fewer medical disputes."
Chen advocates healthy living and holds lectures twice a month on topics such as diet, nutrition and exercise. Her talks are so popular that residents from other communities sit in.
Dr Chen also has a bachelor's degree in psychology and a license to practice. Each Thursday at the community center she is available for counseling.
"Many health problems are caused by mental and emotional issues," Chen says. "Since people are under a lot of pressure today, they need a way to express their frustration and negative thoughts and to find brightness."
The family doctor concept is a natural in Zhoujiaqiao's community culture, where many people are close to each other in what some call a "club house culture."
Ten years ago, Zhoujiaqiao was an unpopular area with old factories and shabby neighborhoods. Today it's a high-end residential area known for high quality of life. Many residents are professionals, including entrepreneurs, IT executives, company managers and lawyers. Quite a few expatriates live there.
But fast-paced living and high stress can lead to colder relationships among neighbors. To address this issue, the Zhoujiaqiao Community emphasizes neighborhood activities and various hobby groups.
Housewives can join activities and hobby clubs. New Shanghainese can find neighbors who are willing to give free lessons in Shanghai dialect.
"Unlike the interpersonal relationship at companies, it is simpler and relaxed in communities," says resident Chen Liyun.
"In hobby groups we can pick up knowledge, get support and have the fun of sharing. We are a big family," says Chen.
"Getting people to leave their apartments and become involved in groups helps each individual find more social value," says Gu Yannan, who works in the neighborhood committee of Yanlord Riverside Garden.
"It feels good to burn yourself like a candle and brighten other people's lives," Gu says.
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