When expectations clash: understanding the doctor-patient relationship among first-generation Chinese immigrants in...

This research aims to investigate how the expectations held by first-generation Chinese immigrants influence their relationships with doctors. It identifies barriers and opportunities for enhancing the doctor-patient relationship (DPR) in culturally diverse contexts and offers insights for developing culturally sensitive health promotion strategies.

In-depth interviews were conducted with 11 participants in this study, from 7 August 2023 to 10 November 2023, to examine the medical experiences and perceptions of Chinese immigrants regarding their relationships with doctors.

The results revealed a persistent gap between what participants had come to expect from healthcare in mainland China and what they encountered in New Zealand. This misalignment-spanning expectations regarding decision making, guanxi-based networks (social connections often leveraged for better service), clinical practices and treatment approaches-frequently led to dissatisfaction and, over time, a strained DPR.

This study underscores the role of cultural and systemic factors in shaping patient expectations and medical experiences, thereby influencing the DPR. It emphasises the need for healthcare services that are culturally sensitive and responsive to the prior experiences and expectations of immigrant patients. These findings offer practical insights for enhancing cross-cultural communication and strengthening the DPR in similar multicultural settings.