J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2019 Feb;37(1):38-46. 10.17340/jkna.2019.1.6.

Current Status and Issues of Acute Stroke Management in Korea: Results of a Nationwide Acute Stroke Care Hospital Survey

Affiliations
  • 1The Stratage and Planning Committee, Korean Stroke Society, Seoul, Korea. sukwon@amc.seoul.kr
  • 2Department of Neurology, Myongji Hospital, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Goyang, Korea.
  • 3Department of Neurology, Kyung Hee University School of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Neurology, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
  • 5Department of Neurology, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul Korea.
  • 6Department of Neurology, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Burden of acute stroke management is increasing according to aging population and advances in the therapeutic time window. However, reduction of resident numbers by the national policy in addition to the underlying low medical charge and reward gradually leaded to a lower rate of application to neurology department.
METHODS
We conducted a nationwide survey from May 29, 2017 through July 11, 2017 to evaluate the real-world working conditions and issues of acute stroke management by stroke neurologists in Korea. Of 100 candidates of stroke professors/specialists, a total of 81 physicians participated the survey comprising 40 questionnaires.
RESULTS
Stroke care physicians were suffering from heavy work load of inpatient care, outpatient clinic due to shortage of manpower for caring acute stroke. There were only three hospitals (3.7%) where neurologists independently take lead an endovascular therapy. About 43% of the participants were involving in primary duty for acute stroke management stroke, majority of whom (65.7%) were on by themselves. Participants pointed out that the biggest drawbacks were manpower shortage due to lack of residents, and numerous frequencies of primary duty. Approximately 80% of the participants forecasted a dismal future for stroke field.
CONCLUSIONS
With the growing incidence of stroke, there is an emerging need for increasing number of neurologists due to contemporary grave shortage of stroke neurologists. It is necessary to investigate the effective demand forecasting for stroke neurologists for the strategy to improve an unmet quality of stroke care with the awareness and help of government.

Keyword

Brain infarction; Stroke; Treatment; Aged; Neurologists; Korea

MeSH Terms

Aging
Ambulatory Care
Brain Infarction
Forecasting
Humans
Incidence
Inpatients
Korea*
Neurology
Reward
Stroke*
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