"Doctors Must Use Domestic Medical Devices from Training Stage for Wider Adoption"

Despite South Korea's world-class medical technology, domestic medical devices have struggled to gain recognition for their potential, lagging behind imported products. Why does this phenomenon persist? Woo Sejun, Director of the Medical Device Research and Development Center at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (and Chief of Ophthalmology), pointed out that the primary reason is "the lack of opportunities for medical professionals to encounter and utilize domestic medical devices."

Woo Sejun, Director of the Medical Device Research and Development Center at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, is giving a presentation on the topic "Activation of Domestic Medical Device Usage Achieved Through Expanded Medical Staff User Experience" at the "2025 Health Industry Performance Exchange" held on the 27th of last month at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Korea Health Industry Development Institute

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Until now, medical institutions in Korea, from large hospitals to local health centers, have shown a clear preference for imported medical devices that they have used for a long time, are familiar with, and for which there is abundant related research and data. Even if the price is somewhat higher, many hospitals have competitively introduced already validated global premium medical devices and used them for hospital promotion. In the meantime, domestic medical devices have rapidly advanced and improved in performance based on technology and know-how accumulated over a relatively short period. However, due to a lack of awareness and information asymmetry, it has been difficult for them to be chosen in clinical settings. Woo noted that a vicious cycle persists, especially as medical residents at university hospitals learn and use the same equipment as their senior doctors. As a result, even after becoming specialists or opening their own practices, they continue to insist on using imported devices.

He explained, "If doctors could directly use a variety of domestic medical devices from the training and education stage, and gain experience with the types and quality of products available, they would not blindly prefer foreign-made devices. As medical staff gain more user experience, feedback naturally accumulates, which can lead to performance improvements in domestic medical devices, industry growth, and expanded exports-a virtuous cycle."

Woo has also taken the lead in introducing domestic medical devices himself. Just a few years ago, the share of domestic products among intraocular lenses used for cataract surgery in Korean hospitals was only 0.4%, and imported products virtually monopolized the market for ophthalmic surgical microscopes. For products like intraocular lenses, which remain in the eye for a lifetime once implanted, safety is paramount, making it difficult for doctors to decide to switch products based solely on the manufacturer's explanation.

Woo contacted domestic intraocular lens manufacturers, verified their products, and in 2022 formally promoted the introduction of these materials to the hospital, leading to their use in actual patients. Since then, with the release of products better optimized for Korean eyes, more than 560 domestic intraocular lens implantation surgeries have been performed to date. He said, "Once we started using them, we found that for patients requiring simultaneous retinal and cataract surgery, domestic products actually offered some advantages. The fact that they are now being used at Seoul National University Hospital and other national university hospitals has naturally helped build trust in these products."

The same applies to surgical microscopes. Initially, domestic products lagged behind imported ones from countries like Germany in terms of image quality and stability. However, as Woo personally used the devices and provided feedback, manufacturers addressed and improved the identified issues, resulting in significant performance enhancements. The feedback provided by medical staff offered crucial clues for improving product quality. He noted, "After repeating the process of importing, testing, and further modifying the improved surgical microscopes three or four times, the quality was upgraded to a level suitable for training and education equipment. Interest from overseas buyers followed, eventually leading to exports. The process of doctors actually using and continuously providing feedback is the key to the advancement of domestic medical devices."

It is essential to establish an environment within hospitals where domestic medical devices can be sufficiently taught and practiced, and for government support projects for education and demonstration to effectively promote cooperation between manufacturers and hospitals. At Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, for example, a 660-square-meter education and training simulation center is operated to provide training for new medical professionals and hands-on practice with new technologies.

Woo emphasized, "If our medical device technology is supported by user experience and feedback from clinical settings, it is competitive enough to go head-to-head with global companies. Changes in physician education and hospital facilities are necessary to fully open the doors of the domestic medical device market."

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