J Korean Med Assoc.  2013 Mar;56(3):158-163. 10.5124/jkma.2013.56.3.158.

Can a medical regulatory system be implemented in Korea?

• Huh S
• Chung MH

• KMID: 2064819
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2013.56.3.158

Abstract

The International Association of Medical Regulatory Authorities has suggested three roles for a country's medical regulatory authority: first, it should provide the graduates of medical schools and immigrant physicians licenses to practice in the country; second, it should provide high-quality educational and training programs to promote and maintain the health and safety of the public and ensure professionalism; third, it should resolve public complaints regarding medical practice so as to increase rapport between professionals and the public. In Korea, the first function has been performed by the National Health Personnel Licensing Examination Board. The second function has been executed by the Korean Medical Association as required by medical law since 2012. No authority has been designated to deal with the third function, so this role has been ceded to the legal market. There are three major reasons that the time has come to establish medical regulatory authority in Korea. First, to assure a minimum quality of medical service, more vigorous continuing medical education must be required for licensure. Second, specific and comprehensive preparation should be made available for medical professionals who immigrate, including physicians from North Korea. Third, the establishment of a regulatory authority is the easiest and most reasonable way to establish and promote a level of professionalism that is respected by the public. To establish a medical regulatory authority in Korea, not only physicians but also the government and the public should participate in discussions of this topic. The medical societies should lead the process of discussion, and the societies' agreement with any regulatory outcomes should be obtained.

Keyword

Medical licensure; Registries; Quality control

MeSH Terms

Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Dietary Sucrose
Education, Medical, Continuing
Emigrants and Immigrants
Health Personnel
Humans
Jurisprudence
Korea
Licensure
Licensure, Medical
Quality Control
Registries
Schools, Medical
Societies, Medical
Dietary Sucrose

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