Chinese Hospital Culture Profile for Better Performance and Staff Satisfaction: A Case Study

Background: Chinese public hospitals are facing ‘business-like’ transformation challenges in the Health Care Reform policy era, with increasing focus on lean management and efficiency. At the same time, other issues have occurred, including tense physician-patient relations, heavy workloads and high job stress which have led to low job satisfaction and burnout among medical staff. This paper aims to explore a Chinese hospital culture profile with the possibility of combining a culture of a patient wellness-centered approach and a business-like approach. Methods: A questionnaire (n=110) using convenience sampling was carried out at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center (SYSUCC). Observation and interview (n=8) data on the hospital’s operations were also collected. Results: SYSUCC’s culture profile includes clan culture (mean = 4.35), hierarchical culture (mean = 4.40) and rational culture (mean = 4.32). The Chief Clinical Professor Responsibility System is a key strategy that enables this culture profile to be successful in the hospital. Conclusion: This culture profile focuses on teamwork inside and outside of the medical teams to achieve a positive and cohesive effect, with standardized operational and formal procedures, as well as, a performance assessment system to reach the goal of operational stability, efficiency and better financial outcomes.