Expert: Pay Doctors at Public Hospitals Properly

In most countries, being a doctor is a rich and respected profession. But in China, poor incentives have often left doctors ' salaries lagging, and caused them to turn to under-the-table methods of supporting themselves. Zhong Dongbo, deputy director of the Beijing Municipal Commission of Health and Family Planning, criticized the system of doctor's pay at a hospital management and education forum held at Tsinghua University on May 20. 　　
Zhong singled out the low incomes of doctors at public hospitals, which means they have little motivation to work hard and often take side jobs. The lack of transparency in their earnings and their low salaries also means they often take kickbacks from pharmaceutical companies or manufacturers of medical equipment, or require patients' families to pay 'red envelopes' (bribes) to ensure decent treatment. That makes it hard for the government to know what their earnings really are and regulate them properly, Zhong said. 

One of the biggest problems, Zhong pointed out, is that pay is often linked to the profits brought to the hospital. That is why doctors tend to sell patients unnecessary and expensive services. It's also increasing the tensions between doctors and patients that have resulted in brutal conflicts in some hospitals. Zhong advised that doctors be well-paid on a regular and transparent basis, without performance rewards.