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The weakness of the strong: Examining the squeaky-wheel effect of hospital violence in China

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  • Liu, Junqiang
  • Zhou, Hui
  • Liu, Lingrui
  • Wang, Chunxiao

Abstract

Hospital violence has become a worldwide issue that disturbs health care systems. China is in a particular dilemma between meeting the healthcare demand of 1.39 billion residents and ensuring the safety of 12.3 million health professionals. Drawing on data from an administrative survey, we presented the types and distribution of disruptive behaviors, as well as the summary statistics of 225 medical disputes that took place from 2012 to 2013 in Z city. Logit and OLS regression analyses show that disruptive behaviors, characterized by the number of protest participants and the length of protest, can significantly predict whether the claimant receives compensation and the amount of compensation. All else equal, a one-person increase in the number of participants is associated with 3.94% higher odds of getting compensated, whereas a one-day increase in the length of protest is associated with a 1.03% increase in the odds of receiving compensation. Further analyses show that the link between disruptive behaviors and compensation outcomes is due to the involvement of the state, which tends to press hospitals to pay when substantial violence is present. Chinese government's overwhelming emphasis on social stability gives protestors leverage against hospitals, which can be summarized as “the squeaky wheel gets the grease.” Ironically, the sensitivity of Chinese government towards social stability becomes a weakness of its own. Government's active intervention to reach a peace-oriented goal will incentivize patients to resort to violence in pursuit of compensation. This study has implications for understanding the Chinese government's logic of addressing social problems that range from hospital violence, labor disputes, land disputes to demolition compensation and civil petitions.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Junqiang & Zhou, Hui & Liu, Lingrui & Wang, Chunxiao, 2020. "The weakness of the strong: Examining the squeaky-wheel effect of hospital violence in China," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 245(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:socmed:v:245:y:2020:i:c:s0277953619307129
    DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112717
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. He, Alex Jingwei & Qian, Jiwei, 2016. "Explaining medical disputes in Chinese public hospitals: the doctor–patient relationship and its implications for health policy reforms," Health Economics, Policy and Law, Cambridge University Press, vol. 11(4), pages 359-378, October.
    2. Jianwei Shi & Sheng Wang & Ping Zhou & Leiyu Shi & Yu Zhang & Fei Bai & Di Xue & Xinkai Zhang, 2015. "The Frequency of Patient-Initiated Violence and Its Psychological Impact on Physicians in China: A Cross-Sectional Study," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 10(6), pages 1-17, June.
    3. He, Alex Jingwei, 2014. "The doctor–patient relationship, defensive medicine and overprescription in Chinese public hospitals: Evidence from a cross-sectional survey in Shenzhen city," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 64-71.
    4. Liuyi Zhang & Teresa E. Stone & Jingping Zhang, 2017. "Understanding the rise of Yinao in China: A commentary on the little known phenomenon of healthcare violence," Nursing & Health Sciences, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(2), pages 183-187, June.
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    1. Yancong Zhu & Zhenhong Zhao & Jingxian Guo & Yanna Wang & Chengwen Zhang & Jiayu Zheng & Zheng Zou & Wei Liu, 2023. "Understanding Use Intention of mHealth Applications Based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT-2) Model in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Lian, Ying & Dong, Xuefan, 2021. "Exploring social media usage in improving public perception on workplace violence against healthcare workers," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).

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