Beijing, China — The number of disputes between medical workers and patients has reportedly risen over the past few years with some resulting in physical violence. The Ministry of Health would like to introduce third-party insurers to help manage these disputes and mediate the strained relationships between patients and medical workers. This seems to be a call for more hospitals and doctors to come under some form of malpractice insurance. Apparently Yunnan Province, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Beijing already have available insurance programs but they are voluntary and expensive with most health care workers and institutions not covered.
