New industry set to grow and prosper though problems exist

Although the development of group medical practice faces some problems in China, the government's unwavering efforts to reform the country's healthcare system and robust economic growth will encourage group practices to grow and prosper, an industry insider said.

"China's healthcare system is undergoing a new round of reforms, and doctors, as an indispensable force in the system, will have greater room for career development when separated from the hospital system," said Zhang Qiang, founder of China's first group medical practice Dr. Smile Medical Group.

Despite the large number of registered group practices in China, the sector is still in the early stages of development, which creates a major challenge for heads of practices - there is no previous experience for reference, especially as the Chinese healthcare market is different from others, Zhang said.