A comparative study of medical complaints and disputes between two tertiary general hospitals in Beijing and Lhasa

Objective By comparing the medical complaints and disputes between the two tertiary general hospitals in Beijing and Lhasa, this paper proposed on how to build a harmonious doctor-patient relationship. Methods A study of annual reports of these two hospitals analyzed descriptively patient complaint rate, rate of medical disputes registered for court jurisdiction, makeup of medical disputes, and their solutions. Results In 2016, the patient complaint rate, and rate of medical disputes registered for court jurisdiction were 3.5/10 000 and 12.4/10 000 respectively, much higher than 0.8/10 000 and 1.1/10 000 of the Lhasa counterpart hospital. A significant gap was also found in the makeup of medical disputes, their solutions, and role of hospital leadership between the two hospitals. Conclusions Beijing is recommended to appoint hospital leader on duty, to assist in handling medical complaints and disputes, and ease doctor-patient contradictions. Lhasa is recommended to improve the medical dispute handling mechanism, improve medical service competency and management. Key words: Beijing; Lhasa; General hospital; Medical complaint; Medical dispute