Hospitals in South Korea’s Smaller Cities Struggle with Physician Shortage amid Nationwide Strike
Hospitals in South Korea’s Smaller Cities Struggle with Physician Shortage Amid Nationwide Strike
INCHEON, South Korea – Hospitals in South Korea’s smaller cities are facing a crisis as a nationwide strike of trainee doctors enters its third month in protest against plans to address the shortage by increasing medical school admissions.
While Seoul, the capital, boasts top-level hospitals, smaller cities are experiencing a severe lack of physicians, a trend that experts predict will worsen as the population ages rapidly and birthrates remain the lowest in the world.
Director of the Incheon Medical Center, Cho Seung-yeon, highlighted the impact of the shortage, stating, “Our artificial kidney room was closed for almost two years because we didn’t have a doctor and we couldn’t find one… but this is a national phenomenon.”
The government’s proposal to add thousands of medical school students next year is aimed at addressing the shortage, but faces opposition from trainee doctors and some medical groups who doubt it will improve poor working conditions.
South Korea currently has 2.6 doctors for every 1,000 people, one of the lowest rates among developed countries, according to the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). In contrast, top-ranked Austria has 5.5 doctors for every 1,000 people.
Yoo Byung-seon, a patient at the Incheon hospital, expressed hope for an increase in the number of doctors in the future, citing the country’s rapidly aging society as a driving factor.
The strike by medical interns and resident doctors, who began in late February, is fueled by concerns over low pay and excessive workloads. While some argue that policies must also change to ensure new doctors work in underserved areas, adding more practitioners is seen as a necessary first step.
The prolonged strike is expected to impact physician assistants who often perform duties typically carried out by doctors. Choi Hee-sun, president of the Korean Health and Medical Workers’ Union, criticized both the government and striking doctors for failing to engage in meaningful dialogue.
Medical outcomes outside the capital vary significantly, with Incheon recording the highest rate of avoidable deaths in the country in 2021. Despite some patients expressing satisfaction with the current healthcare system, concerns remain about the future availability of doctors.
As the strike continues, the healthcare system in South Korea’s smaller cities remains under strain, highlighting the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing dispute between the government and medical professionals.
