J Korean Med Sci.  2022 Dec;37(47):e320. 10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e320.

Professional Status of Infectious Disease Specialists in Korea: A Nationwide Survey

• Kim B
• Eun BW
• Lee E
• Kim TH
• Park S
• Park SY

• KMID: 2536514
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2022.37.e320

Abstract

Background
Infectious disease (ID) specialists are skilled facilitators of medical consultation who promote better outcomes in patient survival, antibiotic stewardship as well as healthcare safety in pandemic response. This study aimed to assess the working status of ID specialists and identify problems faced by ID professionals in Korea.
Methods
This was a nationwide cross-sectional study in Korea. An online-based survey was conducted over 11 days (from December 17–27, 2020), targeting all active adult (n = 281) and pediatric (n = 71) ID specialists in Korea (N = 352). Questions regarding the practice areas of the specialists were divided into five categories: 1) clinical practices of outpatient care, inpatient care, and consultations; 2) infection control; 3) antibiotic stewardship; 4) research; and 5) education and training. We investigated the weekly time-use patterns for these areas of practice.
Results
Of the 352 ID specialists, 195 (55.4%; 51.2% [144/281] adult and 71.8% [51/71] pediatric ID specialists) responded in the survey. Moreover, 144 (73.8%) of the total respondents were involved in all practice categories investigated. The most common practice area was outpatient service (93.8%), followed by consultation (91.3%) and inpatient service (87.7%). Specialists worked a median of 61 (interquartile range: 54–71) hours weekly: patient care, 29 (14–37) hours; research 11 (5–19) hours; infection control 4 (2–10) hours; antibiotic stewardship, 3 (1–5) hours; and education/training, 2 (2–6) hours.
Conclusion
ID specialists in Korea simultaneously undertake multiple tasks and work long hours, highlighting the need for training and employing more ID specialists.

Keyword

Infectious Disease Specialists; Professional Development; Workforce; Adult; Pediatrics

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Proportion of practice times (median hours and range) among infectious disease specialists by specialized areas (A) and clinical areas of practice (B). Data are presented as the median hours and range.HIV = human immunodeficiency virus, AIDS = acquired immune deficiency syndrome, TB = tuberculosis, NTM = nontuberculous mycobacteria.

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