Medical companion rules designed to protect patients

Editor's note: China's first national standards for patient companion services came into effect on Nov 1. China Central Television spoke to Du Peng, dean of the China Institute of Health at Renmin University of China, to explain the significance of the standards. Below are excerpts of the interview. The views don't necessarily represent those of China Daily.

As China's population ages and medical services become increasingly digital, the healthcare system faces new challenges. In response, a range of patient companion services has emerged. The national standards provide clear benchmarks for services, specifying the roles and responsibilities of patient companions who must undergo proper training, and clearly define the boundaries that must not be crossed.

The regulations are designed to offer better protection, particularly for elderly patients seeking medical care in unfamiliar cities, and those with cognitive impairments.

The standards mandate that service providers must be institutions rather than individuals. This serves two main purposes. On the one hand, institutions are responsible for verifying the qualifications of patient companions, providing necessary training and purchasing relevant insurance for them.

On the other hand, they ensure that patients don't face problems. Before the introduction of the national standards, scalpers at hospitals used to charge additional fees for patient companion services. Untrained companions, driven by financial motives, sometimes misinterpreted diagnoses, suggested medications or recommended treatment plans that led to unnecessary expenses for patients.

Previously, the scope of services was also unclear. The extent of the responsibilities of a companion and the procedures for dispute resolution were not well-defined.

However, under the national standards, patient companions are restricted to providing auxiliary services, such as accompanying patients to register or collect medication. They are explicitly prohibited from making medical decisions or offering opinions that could mislead patients.

There is considerable variation in basic medical services between first- and second-tier cities compared to third- and fourth-tier cities, particularly in rural areas. The implementation of the national standards should account for these differences and be tailored to specific contexts.

In first- and second-tier cities, where there is significant demand for elderly medical care and concentrated top-tier medical resources, patient companion services are essential. Strict adherence to the national standards should be enforced in these cities.

Since elderly patients form the majority of those seeking medical attention, integrating the standards with elderly care subsidies and support measures can ensure accessibility and affordability. In areas with relatively limited medical resources, the focus should be on encouraging volunteer services, universal coverage measures and mutual aid initiatives.

Initially, implementation need not be as stringent as in major cities but should still stress training, emergency preparedness plans and clarity on permissible and restricted activities. The approach can differ from that in first- and second-tier cities.

For patient companion services to genuinely provide universal benefits, there should be a clear distinction between basic services and market-driven services. For example, elderly residents living nearby may require more affordable services. On the other hand, those needing to travel considerable distances or requiring round-the-clock assistance could have market-based pricing structures. Such distinctions prevent certain services from inflating overall costs, ensuring that more people can access affordable and inclusive services.