In the latest phase of China's medical reform, doctors are asking for more freedom to choose where they see patients. Experts say this kind of flexibility can help tackle the country's chronic imbalance in medical resources. This week, a group of doctors in Shenyang obtained a business license to practice medicine independently - the first of its kind in Northeast China. Guan Yang has more.

For over 30 years, Doctor Li Xiuqin has helped cancer patients fight and win their life-and-death battles. She helps late-stage cancer patients on a mental level, as well as medical. With a proven track record of helping patients heal, she has set up a doctors group in Shenyang that sees more patients outside the public hospital system.

LI XIUQIN, DIRECTOR GYNECOLOGIC CANCER DEPT., SHENGJING HOSPITAL OF CHINA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY "For senior doctors in public hospitals, we have to take part in a lot of administrative management work, as well as attend medical forums. So when patients call us demanding help, some of us are too busy to help. So I thought, why not set up a doctors group to budget the time and concentrate on the therapies alone."

The term "doctors' group" refers to multiple doctors who carry out medical treatments independently from public or private hospitals. The practice is common in countries like the US. But in China, about 80 percent of the country's medical resources are found in big cities. And according to research, 30 percent of them are in large public hospitals that are flooded with patients eager to see physicians.

LIU CHENGWEI RESIDENT, SHENYANG, LIAONING PROVINCE "I often go to the big and reputable hospitals when I am sick."

GAO XIAO, MIGRANT WORKER SHENYANG, LIAONING PROVINCE "I've brought my daughter here to see doctors at the public hospital that is trustworthy."

SUN XUE RESIDENT, SHENYANG, LIAONING PROVINCE "I think the doctor's profile is more important than the reputation of the hospital that he or she works for."

GUAN YANG SHENYANG, LIAONING PROVINCE "It has long been a stereotype in China that doctors who were not registered with a medical institution are probably quacks. So after the government released the plan to explore the practice of a freelance doctors group, certain social barriers have to be addressed while implementing the plan."

LI XIUQIN, DIRECTOR GYNECOLOGIC CANCER DEPT., SHENGJING HOSPITAL OF CHINA MEDICAL UNIVERSITY "First, we don't encourage doctors to resign from the hospitals before joining our group. We want them to work part-time and build up their own reputations. Because this is a relatively new concept, both the doctors and patients have to feel comfortable."

Two years ago, the first doctors' group to get a business license in China opened in Shenzhen. Ever since then, hundreds of doctors' groups have sprung up, mostly in southern China. And with a strong legacy of a planned economy, it can take more time here in the northeast for rolling out reforms.

JI LIQUN, OFFICE OF REFORM LIAONING HEALTH AND FAMILY PLANNING COMMISSION "We encourage, support and are willing to provide financial assistance to these doctors' groups which give a great push in promoting medical reforms. Our ultimate goal is to generate more quality medical resources to the masses."

But, many new things are not easily accepted. Some public hospitals have mounted strong opposition, fearing doctors can take patients away. And some argue that treatments from these groups are not covered by public health insurance. These issues cannot be overlooked while medical professionals are pushing for greater openness. GUAN YANG, CGTN, SHENYANG.