Recently, the academic paper “System or Culture: Influencing Factors and Evolution Trends of Patient Trust in China”, written by Associate Professor Chi Shangxinfrom the Department of Sociology, was published inSociological Study (2022 Issue 2), a top journal of humanities and social sciences. The paper represents phased outcomes of “Research on the Social Influencing Factors and Intervention of Doctor-Patient Trust”, a youth project of the National Social Science Foundation chaired by Associate Professor Chi Shangxin (Project Number: 18CSH040). Based on the data of the Comprehensive Survey of Chinese Social Conditions (CSS) in 2013 and 2017, this paper analyzes the influencing factors and evolution trends of Chinese patient trust from the perspectives of institutionalism and culturalism. The findings are as follows: First, institutional factors such as doctor satisfaction, medical insurance satisfaction, medical safety and medical equity have an important positive effect on patient trust, but such effect does not show a strengthening trend. Second, cultural factors such as general interpersonal trust, authoritative values, and relational medical care also have a significant effect on patient trust, but with different evolving trends. Third, institutional factors play a greater role than cultural factors. In short, both institutional rationality and social culture jointly affect the current patient trust. We should pay attention to institutional factors, but should never ignore the long-term role of culture, especially the negative effect of relational medical care.

It is reported that in recent years, Associate Professor Chi Shangxin has devoted himself to the research of medical and health sociology and political sociology. He has published 7 CSSCI and SSCI papers in the field of doctor-patient trust, 8 CSSCI papers in the field of population health, and 5 CSSCI papers in the field of political attitude and behavior, which have produced a certain academic influence in the domestic academic circles.