"Would You Get Diagnosed by a Public Medical School Graduate with Poor Grades?" Citizens Outraged by Discriminatory Posts in the Medical Community

Medical Policy Research Institute SNS Post 'Elitism' Controversy
Netizens "Is a doctor who was always top of the class a good doctor?"

Card news posted on June 1st on the official Facebook account of the Korean Medical Association Medical Policy Research Institute. The material contains criticism of the government's establishment of public medical schools. Photo by Medical Policy Research Institute Facebook post

[Asia Economy Reporter Han Seung-gon, Intern Reporter Kim Yeon-joo] "If you had to choose between a doctor who devoted themselves to studying and a public medical school doctor with significantly lower grades, who would you choose?"

The Medical Policy Research Institute under the Korean Medical Association posted a promotional card news comparing doctors from public medical schools and traditional medical schools on social networking services (SNS) on the 1st, sparking controversy. The promotional material was criticized for associating grades with a doctor's qualifications and containing discriminatory content regarding academic background.

The Medical Policy Research Institute presented a question with the note, "Only those who oppose the doctors' strike should try to solve this." The first question asked, "If you had to receive an important diagnosis that determines your life or death and could choose a doctor, which one would you select?"

The answers offered were 'ⓐ a doctor who devoted themselves to studying throughout their school years to never miss being first in their class every year' and 'ⓑ a public medical school doctor admitted through a recommendation system despite significantly lower grades.'

The second question was, "If two students later became doctors and each gave a different diagnosis, whose opinion would you follow?" with the options 'ⓐ a general medical school student admitted based on CSAT scores' and 'ⓑ a public medical school student admitted without taking an exam through a recommendation from a civic group leader.'

Additionally, the question "If a family member needed emergency surgery, who would you want to perform the operation?" was posed with choices 'ⓐ a doctor who has performed numerous surgeries at a medical school hospital with many patients' and 'ⓑ a doctor from a local public medical school who has hardly experienced surgeries.'

Card news posted on June 1st on the official Facebook account of the Korean Medical Association Medical Policy Research Institute. The material contains criticism of the government's establishment of a public medical school. Photo by Medical Policy Research Institute Facebook post

Some citizens who saw this material strongly criticized it, saying it contained a sense of privilege such as 'gradeism' and 'academic elitism.'

A(28), who had previously supported the medical community's strike, said, "I was actually angry at the government for pushing the establishment of public medical schools without agreement with the medical community, but this material was uncomfortable to see because it was based on 'elitism.'" He expressed disappointment, saying, "Was the reason the medical community opposed the government policy because it is a profession only for elites?"

He added, "Above all, I was very disappointed by the part comparing the top student in school with a doctor with poor grades," raising his voice, "Did they become doctors not because they wanted to be doctors but because they only focused on being first in their class?"

Office worker B(29) said, "Patients want doctors who value life like the Hippocratic Oath, not people who wore a doctor's coat just because they had good grades," criticizing, "How did they think of the citizens' level to post such promotional material? It's nothing less than deceiving the public."

Criticism is also spreading on SNS. Netizens unanimously expressed that they could not accept the reasons doctors gave for opposing the establishment of public medical schools.

One netizen pointed out, "They say the quality of medical facilities in remote areas with poor accessibility should be improved, but I wonder why they released a questionnaire that belittles doctors from local public medical schools," adding, "I understand the true intentions of doctors supporting the strike."

Another netizen questioned, "What is the essence of the strike?" and asked, "I wonder if their desire for qualitative improvement is sincere."

Meanwhile, Kim Tae-nyeon, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 2nd that he would expedite the formation of a special committee at the National Assembly to consult with the medical community.

At the highest-level meeting held at the National Assembly that day, Floor Leader Kim said, "We will quickly discuss with the opposition party to expedite the formation of a National Assembly special committee, which is a consultative body for expanding public healthcare."

He explained, "In the special committee, we will listen to and consult on the improvement measures requested by the medical community and create good policies for medical development," adding, "Policy Committee Chair Han Jeong-ae of the Democratic Party is currently meeting sincerely with the Korean Medical Association and representatives of residents to discuss this."

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