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4. Funded Research Projects

4.24 Discourses of Dis/trust: Media Construction of the
Doctor-patient Relationship in China (completed project)

Principal Investigator: Dr. Dong Dong

Research Assistant Professor, Environment, Health
and Sustainability Working Group of LEWI
Source of Funding: Faculty Research Grant, HKBU

Amount Awarded: HKD99,980

Brief Introduction:

Trust is the foundation of the doctor-patient relationship. However, in recent years,
Chinese society has witnessed an astonishing erosion of trust in medical institutions

and professionals. As a result, doctors’ lives have been under constant threats.
Surprisingly, the mass media is blamed for causing the tension between doctors

and patients. They are criticised for demonizing the images of doctors through
falsely reporting medical disputes. But people have to wonder: is there any

substantial evidence to support such criticism? If yes, what are the reasons for the
media to negatively portray doctors? If not, why is the media being blamed?
What are the individual, organisational, and social mechanisms behind the news

about the doctor-patient relationship in China? This project proposes to explore
these questions through the theoretical lens of discursive repertories of dis/trust

(i.e. trust and distrust). It will display the backstage of news production on
medicine and medical professionals, and the extension of the media stage from

the newsroom to hospitals. This project shall make a contribution to our
understanding of trust and distrust and of the changing roles played by the

media, doctor, and patients who battle to dominate the discussions on the
problems in China’s healthcare system.

HONG KONG BAPTIST UNIVERSITY | David C. Lam Institute for East-West Studies 50