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Live Telecast of Operations Controversial in Shanghai
The live telecast of surgical operations, unheard of in China until recently, has stirred controversy in Shanghai, China's leading industrial and commercial city.
A recent survey conducted by local media shows that 39 percent of the 500 respondents were against the practice, another 26 percent suggested that operations be videotaped for reference purposes only, while the rest were in favor of the idea.
Gao Jigang, who watched his wife's three-hour operation on the hospital's in-house TV, described the experience as "mental torment," saying that it is unnecessary to broadcast surgery on TV.
Wu Mingxiang, a patient who has undergone several operations, said that live telecast of operations violates the patients' right to privacy.
A medical worker who opposes the live telecasts said that they put undue pressure on the surgeons, adding that family members of the patient may feel even more anxious if they see the operation in progress.
Those who advocate videotaping operations for reference said it would be best if medical personnel simply provided updates on the progress of the surgery, rather than filming it live.
However, those who liked the idea said that live telecasts may spur surgeons to do their best work and may also help spread medical knowledge to the public.
They added that live telecasts should first be approved by the patient and his or her family members and only be open to specified viewers.
An increasing number of hospitals in China have been televising operations to help inform the public of medical techniques.
In a recent development, the Beijing Anzhen Hospital, which is famous for its cardiovascular surgeries, aired live on the Internet a heart bypass operation and a cardiac valve replacement surgery performed on the same patient.
Experts said that live telecast of operations opens to public scrutiny the quality of service in Chinese hospitals.
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