J Korean Med Assoc.  2012 Oct;55(10):940-949. 10.5124/jkma.2012.55.10.940.

Current status and new policy direction of healthcare personnel in Korea

• Kim CB
• Kim PS

• KMID: 2192814
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2012.55.10.940

Abstract

The health insurance financial crisis and the aging population have overshadowed the South Korean healthcare market. Reforming healthcare has become a major policy issue in the upcoming presidential election on December 19, 2012. It is hard to imagine a time when expectations have been higher and the challenges have been greater for the next administration to create a sustainable healthcare system. Among healthcare policy problems, the new administration must keep in mind reforms for healthcare personnel. Accordingly, several intermediate and long-term actions and initiations for healthcare personnel can help lay the groundwork for sustainable development of Korea's healthcare system. Possible examples include balancing the supply plan of physicians and nurses according to the finances of the National Health Insurance, controlling the number of dentists, oriental medical doctors, and pharmacists, while enhancing health education specialists, and complementary and alternative medical therapists.

Keyword

Healthcare personnel; Healthcare policy; Sustainable development

MeSH Terms

Aging
Delivery of Health Care
Dentists
Health Care Sector
Health Education
Humans
Insurance, Health
Korea
National Health Programs
Natural Resources
Pharmacists
Specialization

Figure

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  Figure 1 The number of practising physicians per 1,000 inhabitants (From Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. OECD factbook 2011-2012: economic, environmental and social statistics [Internet]. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2011) [2].

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  Figure 2 Distribution of physicians as a percentage of total physicians (2009 or latest available year) (From Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. OECD factbook 2011-2012: economic, environmental and social statistics [Internet]. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2011) [2].

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  Figure 3 The number of practising nurses per 1,000 inhabitants (From Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. OECD factbook 2011-2012: economic, environmental and social statistics [Internet]. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2011) [2].

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  Figure 4 Ratio of nurses to physicians (2009 or latest available year) (From Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. OECD factbook 2011-2012: economic, environmental and social statistics [Internet]. Paris: OECD Publishing; 2011) [2].

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