Southeast Regional Radiation Medical Center, 2nd Outpatient Depression Appropriateness Evaluation Achieves Top Grade for 2 Consecutive Times

Among All General Hospitals in Busan, Only Three Including Dongnamwon Nuclear Medicine Institute Receive Top Grade

70-90% of Depression Patients Show Improvement, Depression Treatment Aids Cancer Therapy

The Dongnam Regional Radiation Medical Center (Medical Director Lee Chang-hoon) recently achieved a first-grade rating for the second consecutive time in the 2nd outpatient adequacy evaluation for depression announced by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service.

The Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service conducted the 2nd outpatient adequacy evaluation for depression following the 1st evaluation in 2022 to provide information on excellent medical institutions so that citizens do not miss treatment opportunities at nearby medical facilities and to improve the quality of depression medical services.

Among the 74 medical institutions evaluated in the Busan area, only one tertiary hospital, Dong-A University Hospital, and three general hospitals, including Dongnam Regional Radiation Medical Center, Busan St. Mary's Hospital, and Samyook Busan Hospital, received a first-grade rating.

In particular, while the average comprehensive score of medical institutions nationwide was 47 points, Dongnam Regional Radiation Medical Center scored 84 points, nearly twice the average, earning an excellent first-grade rating.

The evaluation targeted 4,114 medical institutions nationwide that treated new outpatients aged 18 or older with depression from January to June 2023.

The main evaluation criteria included whether patients were regularly revisited to monitor the effectiveness or side effects of depression treatment, whether depression symptoms were assessed using objective evaluation tools to provide personalized treatment, and whether antidepressants were prescribed for a sufficient period to prevent relapse of depression.

Shim In-hee, Chief of the Department of Psychiatry at Dongnam Regional Radiation Medical Center, stated, “Public awareness of depression treatment has changed, and the number of outpatients receiving treatment for depression has increased by 36.8% compared to five years ago, showing an increasing trend every year. Early and appropriate treatment is very important, and continuous management is also crucial to prevent relapse. Especially for cancer patients, some endure more difficult battles without realizing they have depression, but appropriate treatment can also aid in cancer treatment.”

Southeast Regional Radiation Medical Center.

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