Korea Commission on Human Rights: "57% of Citizens Support Expanding Medical School Quotas"
69,899 Citizens' Opinions Collected... Physicians Account for 13% of Respondents
Anti-Corruption Commission: "Only 8.5% of Clinic Doctors, Residents, and Medical Students Support Increasing Quotas"
Survey on Healthcare System Improvement Conducted with 2,476 Citizens
40% Point to Shortage in Specific Medical Fields, 36% Criticize Health Insurance Fee System
Medical professionals, including the Korean Medical Association, held a rally on the afternoon of the 14th on the road in Yeouido Park, Seoul, shouting slogans such as "Opposition to the increase in medical school quotas." (Photo by Yonhap News)
View original image[Asia Economy Reporter Moon Chaeseok] According to a government survey, 56.5% of the public support the expansion of medical school quotas. However, the approval rate among medical professionals such as private practitioners, residents, and medical students was only 8.5%.
The Korean Medical Association (KMA) caused controversy by issuing a statement last month on the 19th opposing the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission's survey on 'expanding medical school quotas and establishing public medical schools,' but the survey was carried out and results were obtained.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced on the 1st that, based on a survey conducted from the 11th to the 25th of last month targeting 69,899 citizens, 56.5% were in favor of expanding medical school quotas. Medical professionals accounted for 13% of all respondents.
Even within the medical profession, there was a noticeable difference in approval rates between university hospital staff and private practitioners, residents, and medical students.
While 56.6% of university hospital staff responded that the number of doctors should be increased, the approval rates among medical students (9%), residents (8.5%), and private practitioners (7.2%) were significantly lower.
There were also clear differences in opinions regarding measures to increase the number of doctors.
Among the general public, 54.9% answered that 'establishing new public medical schools in regions' is necessary, but among medical professionals, 51.2% chose 'expanding the quotas of existing medical schools.' In particular, medical students and residents showed a higher preference for 'quota expansion.'
Among the 41.6% of medical professionals who responded that there is no need to expand medical school quotas, the opinion was that "the current issues are 'regional medical imbalance' and 'shortage of doctors in specific fields,' and the overall number of doctors in Korea is sufficient."
Based on this, the Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission emphasized that "both the government and medical professionals share the recognition that 'regional medical imbalance' and 'shortage of doctors in specific fields' are the problems, and only differ in their solutions."
The difference in approval rates for expanding medical school quotas by region was not significant. 'Five major metropolitan areas including Seoul' showed 54.8% approval, while 'other regions' showed 58.6% approval.
Meanwhile, regarding 'problems in Korea's healthcare system,' 44.1% of the public identified 'resolving regional medical imbalance' as the most urgent task.
The Anti-Corruption and Civil Rights Commission announced that, based on a public opinion survey conducted from the 21st to the 27th of last month with 2,476 participants, this was the result.
Regarding 'problems in Korea's healthcare system,' 44.1% of participants (including multiple responses) cited 'regional medical imbalance.'
This was followed by 'shortage of doctors in specific fields' (39.9%), 'health insurance fee system' (36.2%), 'distortion of medical delivery system such as concentration in large hospitals' (17.3%), and 'poor treatment of nursing staff' (9.1%).
As a solution to 'resolving regional medical imbalance,' 46.4% of the public (including multiple responses) chose 'establishment and strengthening of regional public medical institutions led by central and local governments' as the top priority.
'Expansion of medical school quotas and establishment of public medical schools' (37.8%) and 'reform of health insurance fee system including introduction of regional additional fees' (20%) were also mentioned.
As a solution to the 'shortage of doctors in specific fields,' 51.5% of the public (including multiple responses) suggested 'reforming the health insurance fee system for less preferred specialties.'
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'Establishment and strengthening of public medical institutions' accounted for 24.8%, and 'expansion of medical school quotas and introduction of regional doctor system' accounted for 20%.
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