Shanghai Trains Hospital Escorts to Assist Elderly Patients in Navigating Healthcare System

Shanghai Trains Professionals to Assist Elderly Patients in Hospitals

In response to the city's rapidly aging population, Shanghai has launched a pilot program to train at least 100 professionals in each of its nine districts to assist elderly patients in navigating hospitals. This initiative aims to address the increasing difficulties faced by seniors, particularly those living alone or with elderly spouses, in accessing medical services within a digitalized healthcare system.

The program will recruit nurses, nursing home workers, and social workers specializing in elderly services for training. Participants will receive textbooks covering common diseases, medications, and medical equipment. Professionals from relevant organizations and college departments will conduct the training and assessments.

Beyond developing a pool of trained escorts, the program seeks to establish citywide standards for the service, including standardized procedures and pricing mechanisms. Officials will also explore regulatory and quality monitoring measures to ensure consistent care.

The demand for hospital escort services emerged in China about a decade ago due to urbanization and the adoption of digital systems in hospitals. However, the profession was not included in the country's most recent occupational classification list in 2022.

Currently, such services lack standard procedures and pricing policies. Fees are typically charged by the hour, with a four-hour service costing around 300 yuan ($41) in major cities like Shanghai and lower fees in smaller cities.

Elderly care facilities in districts like Pudong, Songjiang, Xuhui, and Huangpu will assist authorities in refining service guidelines. Escorts will be trained to help dependent and semi-dependent elderly patients with hospital visits, including registration, physical examinations, payments, medication collection, and post-visit communication with family members. They will also provide psychological comfort.

The program encourages escorts to familiarize themselves with hospital layouts and digital tools for appointment booking, payments, and registration.

Qiao Xiumei, a 75-year-old Shanghai resident, expressed interest in using the service if it is reliable and respects her privacy. She finds it challenging to navigate the hospital and rely on relatives for assistance.

Su Mingwei, a hospital escort in Beijing for three years, emphasizes the importance of patience and attentiveness to the emotions of elderly patients. She also highlights the role of escorts in facilitating communication between doctors and patients.

With over 5.68 million residents aged 60 and older, accounting for 37.4% of the city's permanent residents, Shanghai's initiative to train hospital escorts demonstrates its commitment to supporting its aging population and ensuring their access to quality healthcare.