SEOUL – On July 23, the South Korean government announced plans to unveil a comprehensive blueprint for medical reform in late August, despite facing significant resistance from the medical community. Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong emphasized the government’s unwavering commitment to overhauling the country’s healthcare system during a government response meeting.
The reform committee, established in April, has made notable progress in addressing longstanding issues within South Korea’s medical system, as evidenced by the outcomes of 31 committee meetings with experts. Minister Cho highlighted the necessity of these reforms, stating, “If the current problems are not addressed properly, the disparities and imbalances within the system will worsen and become challenging to correct later.”
Key Elements of the Reform Blueprint
1.Improved Training Environments for Junior Doctors:
The government aims to establish a comprehensive training system designed to enhance the working conditions for junior doctors, including reduced working hours. Currently, junior doctors work an average of 77.7 hours per week, often exceeding standard hours, according to the Korean Intern Resident Association. The proposed changes would allow doctors more time to develop their clinical skills.
2.Legal Safety Net for Physicians:
The blueprint includes the creation of a legal safety net to limit doctors’ criminal liability in malpractice cases. The lack of such a safety net has deterred physicians from practicing medicine and has discouraged junior doctors from entering essential yet undervalued or high-risk medical fields.
3.Focus on Critical and Emergency Patients:
Tertiary general hospitals will be restructured to concentrate on critical and emergency patients, as well as those with rare diseases. This restructuring aims to reduce dependence on junior doctors and create physician-centred hospitals.
4.Enhanced Compensation for Essential Medical Services:
Physicians specializing in severe and difficult treatments will receive better compensation. Additionally, the reimbursement system for medical services will be strengthened to ensure fair remuneration.
5.Investment in the Medical Sector:
The government has pledged to create bold investment plans to support the reform scheme and implement practical changes that will have a tangible impact on the medical sector.
Government’s Appeal Amid Ongoing Deadlock
The deadlock between the government and the medical community has persisted for five months, with medical professors at prominent hospitals such as Seoul St Mary’s Hospital and Severance Hospital threatening to boycott training programs for new interns and residents starting in September. Minister Cho expressed deep regret over the situation, urging medical professors to support junior doctors who have shown courage in returning to their roles.
“It is deeply regrettable that medical professors who know and understand the difficulties of the medical field more than anybody else are seeming to overlook patients’ anxiety and fear,” Cho remarked. He called on medical professors to welcome returning junior doctors and to encourage those who have resigned to come back to hospitals.
As the government prepares to roll out its blueprint for medical reform, it remains committed to addressing the systemic issues plaguing South Korea’s healthcare system, despite facing considerable opposition from within the medical community.