Honored doctor pushes belief of working closely with patients

Among all medical inventions in the world, respiratory specialist Tong Zhaohui said his best weapon is the stethoscope, the prototype of which was created over two centuries ago.

Behind his penchant for this unassuming tool is the belief that only by getting closer to patients can a doctor gain a full understanding of their condition and devise effective therapies.

"To be a good doctor, being grounded in the front line, the ability to work in a clinical setting is the basic qualification," he said. "With that in place, medical workers can keep honing their comprehensive skills."