Doctors embrace group practices

Rising number of independent practitioners hope to increase their incomes and offer patients better medical treatment

In 2013, when he resigned from the prestigious Shanghai East Hospital as director of its vascular surgery department, Zhang Qiang, then 47 years old, was well known for his medical expertise and kindness to patients, earning him the moniker "Doctor Smile".

He made the decision to exit the public hospital system and become an independent practitioner in the hope of providing better treatment to patients and earning a higher income.