[Report] "Surgery Schedules Keep Changing as Many Essential Resident Doctors Are Absent"

Visiting Large Hospitals and Local Clinics Directly
No Major Chaos on First Day of Strike

Urgency Differs at Large Hospitals
Samsung Seoul Hospital "94% of Residents Participate in Strike"
Difficulties in Surgeries
Attention on Residents and Fellows Returning Following Government Work Resumption Order

On the 26th, when the second general strike led by the Korea Medical Association (KMA) was enforced, a fellow doctor held a picket protest at Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The KMA opposed the government's policies such as expanding the quota of medical schools and entered a three-day collective strike until the 28th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporters Seo Sojeong, Song Seungyun, Jeong Donghoon] "I didn't know even local clinics were closed, but I was surprised to find the door shut when I came here. I plan to look for another clinic that opens in the afternoon."

At 10 a.m. on the 26th, when nationwide medical associations began a general strike, Jo Gichun (52, pseudonym) felt disheartened in front of a firmly closed ophthalmology clinic in Mokdong, Yangcheon-gu. Following disruptions at general hospitals, more citizens are experiencing inconvenience as local clinics also join the strike. However, the number of local clinics that decided to close on the first day of the strike was not very high, so there was no major confusion until the morning.

Among 10 clinics near Omokgyo Station in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul, where private clinics are concentrated, 5 operated normally that morning while 5 were closed. Notices informing of the closure were posted at the entrances of the closed clinics. Most notices stated "Closed due to vacation," making it difficult to distinguish whether the closure was due to actual vacation or participation in the collective strike. According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, out of 32,787 nationwide clinic-level medical institutions, 2,097 (6.4%) applied for closure that day. However, the actual participation rate of local clinics in the strike was tentatively estimated to be around 1% as of that morning. Additionally, on the 27th, 1,905 clinics (5.8%) and on the 28th, 1,508 clinics (4.6%) applied for closure.

On the 26th, when the second general strike led by the Korea Medical Association (KMA) was enforced, patients were being transported to the emergency room of Seoul National University Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul. The KMA opposed the government's policy to increase the quota of medical school students and entered a three-day collective strike until the 28th. Photo by Hyunmin Kim kimhyun81@

Some patients who were unaware that the clinics were closed had to turn to other places, but there was no observed crowding or long waiting lines at the clinics that remained open. A nearby internal medicine clinic in Mokdong, which started consultations at 9:30 a.m., had only one patient waiting. The orthopedic clinic on the same floor showed a similar situation, and most clinics did not experience disruptions in medical services.

Unlike clinic-level facilities, the situation at large hospitals was somewhat urgent. Major hospitals are adjusting surgery schedules and patient appointments in preparation for the general strike. A representative from Samsung Seoul Hospital said, "The average daily number of surgeries is about 190, but we already adjusted 30 surgeries on the 24th, 40 on the 25th, and 65 today," adding, "Because the participation rate of resident doctors in the strike is as high as 94%, we are facing difficulties with surgeries." Severance Hospital in Seoul also stated, "Resident doctors in essential departments such as anesthesiology are largely absent," and "We are continuously changing surgery schedules due to the residents' strike." Other hospitals are in similar situations. Seoul National University Hospital, where many residents and fellows joined the strike, said, "On the day of the strike, only about half of the usual number of surgeries are being performed," and "Since most residents are participating in the strike, there is a shortage of personnel, and only emergency surgeries are being scheduled."

Since the government issued a work commencement order to doctors participating in the general strike at 8 a.m. that day, university hospitals are monitoring the return of residents and fellows. Violating this order can result in imprisonment of up to three years, a fine of up to 30 million won, or a 15-day suspension of work. A Severance Hospital official said, "Thanks to the prior adjustment of surgery schedules, there is no immediate major confusion," but added, "Since the administrative order to commence work has been issued, we need to see how many personnel will return afterward." A Seoul National University Hospital official also said, "The order takes effect after 10 a.m., but it is difficult to estimate how many will return to the field afterward." According to the Ministry of Health and Welfare, as of the afternoon of the 25th, a survey of 163 resident training institutions showed a resident doctor closure rate of 58.3% (5,995 out of 10,277 residents closed) and a fellow doctor closure rate of 6.1% (162 out of 2,639 fellows closed).

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