Ann Rehabil Med.  2022 Aug;46(4):155-162. 10.5535/arm.22102.

Cancer Rehabilitation Fact Sheet in Korea

• Yoon JA
• Hong BY

• KMID: 2532948
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.22102

Abstract

Cancer rehabilitation aims to enable patients to maximize their physical, social, psychological, and vocational functions within the limits that arise during the course of the disease and its treatment. According to recent domestic studies, most patients report one or more physical problems during or after cancer treatment. This review presents the latest updates on cancer-related rehabilitation issues. Cancer rehabilitation in Korea still faces various barriers, including a lack of awareness, problems with the healthcare delivery system, and high costs, and recognizing the need for rehabilitation during cancer treatment varies among patients and even physicians. Hence, an appropriate cooperative referral system for cancer rehabilitation requires improvement. We herein review the current status of and barriers to cancer rehabilitation in South Korea to resolve the issues of domestic cancer rehabilitation.

Keyword

Cancer; Rehabilitation; Statistics

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Unmet needs (experience of rehabilitation/demand for rehabilitation) of patients with actual rehabilitation problems. Adapted from Jo et al. J Korean Acad Rehabil Med 2010;34:691–700 [5].

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