Title: Appeal from Chinese doctors to end violence
Abstract: Within only 10 days in October, seven consecutive incidents of violence against medical personnel took place in Chinese hospitals, three doctors were killed and ten medical staff were injured.1ReutersChinese doctor stabbed to death in latest hospital attack.http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/10/25/us-china-health-idUSBRE99O08X20131025Date: Oct 25, 2013Google Scholar This recent wave of assaults on medical staff has led to widespread discussions on Chinese social media. Anger, fear, despair, and even hatred are common among doctors. Chinese doctors are under tremendous stress. The growing problem of violence in hospitals in China can certainly be attributed to the worsening of the doctor–patient relationship, but more importantly, it is probably due to the fact that China's health-care system lacks regulations to protect medical staff from intended violence.2The LancetEnding violence against doctors in China.Lancet. 2012; 379: 1764Scopus (0) Google Scholar There is no comprehensive legislation in China to specifically address medical disputes and violence, with the exception of so-called guiding opinions without legal effects. On Oct 24, the Chinese Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Public Security announced new guidelines to provide better security at hospitals: the number of security guards in each hospital should be at least one per 20 patient beds or no less than 3% of medical staff.3MacLeod C China trying to stop patients from killing doctors.USA Today. Oct 24, 2013; (accessed Oct 30, 2013).http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2013/10/24/china-hospital-attacks/3178633Google Scholar This announcement has provoked the ire of medical professionals and Internet users, stressing the government's hypocrisy because it will not address the fundamental issue of protection of doctors and might even further intensify the doctor–patient conflicts.4Ya W Hospitals to beef up security.Global Times. Oct 24, 2013; (accessed Oct 30, 2013).http://www.globaltimes.cn/content/819897.shtml#.Um_OK41jMn8Google Scholar This deteriorated medical environment has led many to question what will be the future of doctors in China—this is a collective concern for the entire Chinese society.5Jie L New generations of Chinese doctors face crisis.Lancet. 2012; 379: 1878Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (41) Google Scholar As doctors in China, we call for a zero-tolerance attitude toward violence in hospital. The Chinese Government should drive the momentum of health-care reform to bring fundamental relief in this tense situation. Legislation should be strengthened to tackle crimes hampering the safety of medical staff. Only with effective and prompt actions will we be able to rebuild confidence. We declare that we have no conflicts of interest.