Chinese at heart, western where appropriate: an exploration of professional identity in a chinese medical clinicchinese at heart, western where appropriate: an exploration of professional identity in a chinese medical clinic

Studies in medical anthropology and health sociology have shown the intensification of exchanges between Chinese and Western medicine. However, there is a lack of literature exploring this phenomenon from the human communication perspective. To fill this gap, this study aims to analyze patterns and processes taking place during the interaction between Chinese and Western medicine by inquiring into professional identity of the Chinese medical practitioners. To implement this goal, a qualitative exploratory research was conducted in the Yusheng Chinese Medical Clinic, employing the methods of participant observation and interviewing. Drawing on the communication theory of identity and applying positioning as an analytical tool, it was found that professional ideology, adherence to Chinese medical theory, and sociohistorical situatedness were the most salient factors determining positional shifts in the discourses with Western medicine. In some discursive practices, the relationship between the two medical systems was dichotomized. In other ones, it was perceived in terms of partnership or even unification. Accordingly, the complex and dynamic picture of professional identity was captured. The shift from emphases on being a good physician to being a good Chinese medical physician, as well as discrepancies between perceived professional self and enacted professional self, were observed. Based on the findings, this study calls for the discussions on the relevance of the yin-yang mode in interpreting the interaction between Chinese and Western medicine in the context of globalization