Health Policy Manag.  2023 Jun;33(2):115-117. 10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.2.115.

How to Integrate the Fourth Industrial Revolution in the Healthcare Industry?

• Lee SH

• KMID: 2549091
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4332/KJHPA.2023.33.2.115

Abstract

The issue of increasing the number of physicians is emerging. Because the physician workforce is a critical component of the health care system, and substantial costs are involved in training personnel, a cautious approach is required. The demand to increase the number of physicians is based on the contention that there are difficulties in accessing essential health services and the need to prepare for future demands such as fostering physician-scientists. However, simply increasing the number of physicians is not an appropriate approach to address these demands, especially considering that the effects of such an increase will appear 10 years later. Moreover, it is concerned that the current argument for increasing the physician workforce is intertwined with political interests. When considering the impact on the health care system, decisions regarding the expansion of the physician workforce should be based on evidence. Additionally, rather than temporarily responding to social issues, it is expected that a governance system will be established to continuously discuss and decide on fostering medical personnel.

Keyword

Physician workforce; Evidence based; Governance system