In China’s Crowded Hospitals, She Found a New Career

This is a mega hospital in Beijing. A medical maze where one wrong turn could cost you hours. This is Jessica Wang. She’s 49 and a — — part patient advocate, part savvy gig worker finding new ways to make a living in China’s slowing economy. For around $50, she can go to the hospital with you or consult a doctor on your behalf. She’s part of a new industry helping China’s aging population cope with the bureaucratic medical system. To get a rare glimpse inside that system, we followed Jessica for a day, starting with her early-morning commute. In China, people don’t typically see primary care doctors. Whether you need a blood test or need cancer treatment, you go directly to a hospital. China has a three-tier hospital system. The best ones, or the top 10 percent, are concentrated in major cities and can be very crowded. More than 60 percent of all patient visits happen in these elite hospitals. Demand has also increased as China’s population has gotten older. For the out of town patients, Jessica steps in as a surrogate, handling tasks that don’t require an in-person exam. With unemployment in China persistently high, many are joining the profession and marketing their service on social media. Jessica has managed to make a decent living in this growing industry.