This study delves into the factors influencing when and why Hong Kong mothers choose to deviate from medical advice in favor of traditional Chinese remedies when caring for their children. Through in-depth interviews, we explore how mothers navigate the realm of healthcare information, drawing from both expert advice and personal experiences. While mothers typically respect doctors’ authority, they sometimes opt to diverge from medical recommendations. This divergence often occurs when mothers perceive a lack of individualized attention or find generic advice inadequate for their child’s specific needs. By incorporating traditional Chinese remedies alongside conventional medical guidance, mothers showcase their agency in tailoring healthcare decisions to best suit their children’s well-being. This study sheds light on the nuanced interplay between professional authority and maternal decision-making in childcare practices.

About the speaker:

Prof Xiaoli Tian is Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Hong Kong. She received her Ph.D. from Department of Sociology, The University of Chicago. Her research interests include medical sociology, cultural sociology, digital media and social interaction. Her writings have been published in American Journal of Sociology; Social Science and Medicine; Health; Sociological Forum; Qualitative Sociology; Modern China; Journal of Contemporary China; Information, Communication and Society; Journal of Contemporary Ethnography; Symbolic Interaction, Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, among others.

MH Conversations and Connections Series – Lunchtime Seminar

Why Patients Stray: Hong Kong Mothers and Traditional Chinese Remedies in Childcare

Date: 28 March 2025 (Fri)

Time: 12:30 – 1:45 pm HKT

Venue: Seminar Room 2, G/F, The Jockey Club Building For Interdisciplinary Research, 5 Sassoon Road

Speaker: Prof Xiaoli Tian

Registration: https://mehu.hku.hk/24-25-mhcc-10/ 

**The event is hosted by School of Clinical Medicine Medical Ethics & Humanities Unit