Korean J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg.  2016 Dec;49(Suppl 1):S53-S59. 10.5090/kjtcs.2016.49.S1.S53.

Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons’ Perception of the Concentration of Cardiovascular Operations in Seoul Metropolitan Area’s Hospitals

• Jeong HS
• Lee KS
• Chee HK
• Ahn HM
• Sim SB

• KMID: 2364223
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5090/kjtcs.2016.49.S1.S53

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the concentration of cardiovascular surgical procedures in a metropolitan area and investigate the perception of specialists regarding governmental policies to resolve this imbalance.
METHODS
From March to May 2015, surveys were distributed to members of the Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery Association. The final pool of research subjects consisted of 75 respondents. Subjects were queried regarding the concentration of cardiovascular operations in metropolitan areas, alternatives to the imbalance, and governmental policies to resolve the inequalities.
RESULTS
Survey participants responded that South Korea needs governmental policies to alleviate the concentration of cardiovascular surgery patients in large metropolitan hospitals. Participants agreed that the freedom to choose medical institutions and improved accessibility to metropolitan hospitals due to advanced transportation systems were some of the causes for the concentration. A majority (98.7%) of respondents thought establishing thoracic and cardiovascular surgery centers in provinces was an appropriate solution to alleviate the concentration. Thoracic and cardiovascular surgery specialists were ranked as the number one group on which to focus development.
CONCLUSION
Developing and carrying out policies to establish thoracic and cardiovascular surgery centers in provinces will alleviate the regional imbalance in available heart surgery services and an overall improvement in cardiovascular disease treatment in South Korea.

Keyword

Cardiac; Surgery; Health care surveys; Health policy; Decision making

MeSH Terms

Cardiovascular Diseases
Cardiovascular Surgical Procedures
Decision Making
Freedom
Health Care Surveys
Health Policy
Hospitals, Urban
Humans
Korea
Research Subjects
Seoul*
Socioeconomic Factors
Specialization
Surveys and Questionnaires
Thoracic Surgery
Transportation