INCREASING numbers of Shanghai’s more experienced doctors and dentists are leaving the city’s public hospitals to set up private group practices.

It’s a new trend. In the past, doctors who left public hospitals usually moved on to private hospitals, seeking better work conditions and higher pay.

Dr Ji Guoping, a leading dentist at Shanghai No. 9 People’s Hospital, recently quit to open a private dental clinic. A group of businessmen helped finance the new venture. Three other dentists left the same public hospital with him to join the new practice.