When western concept meets eastern culture: Exploring the impact of Confucianism on shared decision-making in China

Abstract

This commentary explores how Confucian values influence shared decision-making (SDM) in Chinese healthcare, particularly in oncology. It highlights two key cultural foundations: Family Harmony and Filial Piety, which underscore the deep-rooted involvement of families in medical decision-making, often prioritizing collective decisions over individual autonomy; and Ritual Governance, which explains the cultural roots of power imbalances in healthcare relationships, where patients typically defer to the authority of doctors, and the role of nurses in SDM is limited. The paper argues that for SDM to be effectively integrated into Chinese healthcare, strategies must be adapted to align with cultural norms while encouraging patient empowerment. It also calls for a nuanced understanding of the evolving Chinese culture and emphasizes the need for global healthcare providers to develop cultural competence to better support Chinese patients, especially in the context of oncology, both domestically and internationally.