[Takryucheongron] Wise Government and Unwise Doctors

How Should We View the Expansion of Medical School Quotas?

Recently popular drama "Hospital Playlist" portrayed the image of doctors that the public desires through the daily lives of 'cool' young doctors who possess both skill and character, and know how to enjoy happiness even amidst their busy schedules. The main characters are specialists in obstetrics and gynecology, thoracic surgery, general surgery, and pediatric surgery. These fields, which deal with dramatic situations between life and death, are common themes in medical dramas.

However, in reality, these specialties are classified as 'non-preferred departments.' Despite requiring high responsibility and skilled expertise due to their deep involvement in patients' survival, the compensation is low and the threat of medical accidents and lawsuits is high. In short, choosing these specialties is an irrational choice. The preference of medical students and doctors for so-called 'internal, external, obstetrics, and pediatrics'?referred to as 'vital' subjects because they directly handle life?is declining day by day.

The government has presented measures to address this situation. They plan to increase medical school admissions to encourage specialization in non-preferred essential fields or legally mandate doctors to work for a certain period in medically vulnerable areas where there is a shortage of doctors. The ruling party and government jointly announced this ambitious plan. They cited the plausible rationale that the importance of expanding public healthcare has emerged amid the COVID-19 crisis, prominently featuring the number of doctors per 1,000 people according to the OECD health statistics.

The fundamental reason for the shortage of doctors in medically vulnerable areas and non-preferred essential fields is that choosing these means becoming an 'unwise doctor' in reality. And if you look a little deeper, you can see that this is not a problem that can be solved simply by raising medical fees. In medically vulnerable areas, there is not only a shortage of doctors but also a lack of medical demand. Even the few patients who exist tend to visit large hospitals in Seoul whenever possible. Therefore, to solve this problem, a medical delivery system must first be established. This also means that the public’s free choice of medical services may need to be restricted. However, the 'wise government' never utters such inconvenient truths.

Meanwhile, fields like thoracic surgery or severe trauma care cannot be resolved by having doctors alone. There must be medical institutions capable of hiring doctors and personnel who can work alongside them. Therefore, the issue of doctor manpower in vulnerable areas and non-preferred specialties is difficult to solve without understanding our medical environment. Fundamental structural improvements are required, including medical fees, delivery systems, hospital employment of doctors, and expansion of essential medical infrastructure. However, this is complex and difficult for the public to understand. On the other hand, presenting seemingly impressive numbers like '400 doctors' annually, totaling '4,000 doctors' over ten years, is a relatively easy approach.

In opposition to the 'wise government’s' policy enforcement, doctors are willingly choosing to be 'unwise doctors' once again. Medical students have given up taking the national medical licensing exam, and residents are preparing to resign. Even while 'striking,' doctors themselves maintain essential functions such as childbirth, emergency care, and intensive care without being told.

Thus, although there have already been two collective actions, no medical crisis or accidents have occurred. If this were truly a matter of 'group selfishness' and 'fighting over bread bowls,' more efficient and cunning methods would have been chosen. Nevertheless, doctors have chosen a stubborn and sincere path. It is hoped that this sincerity will also be conveyed to the public.

Kim Daeha, Director of Public Relations and Spokesperson, Korean Medical Association

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.