"Our Responsibility for Losing Public Support"…A Current Doctor's Sharp Critique Amid Legislative Conflict

"Some Doctors Act Arrogant Just Because They Have a License" Criticism
"Implement Holistic Education in Medical Schools" Proposed as an Alternative

The day after doctors held a large-scale rally in protest against the government's plan to increase medical school quotas, a writer who identified themselves as a current doctor posted a message on an online community urging self-reflection within the medical field. They pointed out that the reason doctors failed to gain public support amid the medical-government conflict was largely due to some irresponsible doctors.

On the afternoon of the 27th, a graduate attending the '78th Spring Degree Conferment Ceremony of Seoul National University College of Medicine and Graduate School' held at Seoul National University College of Medicine in Jongno-gu, Seoul, is passing by a monument inscribed with the Hippocratic Oath.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

On the 4th, a post by a presumed doctor, referred to as A, appeared on the anonymous online community Blind. A said, "I am not a specialist in essential medical fields, but as a doctor, it pains me to see all doctors being criticized and mocked," adding, "It takes two hands to clap; people would not have suddenly turned their backs on doctors like this if both sides had acted properly."

This implies that the unfavorable public perception of doctors amid the sharp confrontation between the government and the medical community is not baseless nitpicking. Regarding why the public criticizes doctors, A stated, "There are many reasons, and it is true that there are many shameful aspects that cannot be properly countered," but added, "What is regrettable is that some doctors are making things worse by their words, as if pouring oil on the fire."

Based on personal experience, A also offered opinions. "I have not worked in other jobs, so I do not know much about other professions, but among medical students and doctors, there are definitely people who lack social awareness or social skills," A said. "When I see such people, I think it would be better if they worked in fields where they do not directly face patients."

He continued, citing one regret: "The fact that people who lack social skills and cannot properly care for patients can still work in hospitals as long as they have a medical license," and expressed anger when seeing doctors behaving shamefully anywhere. "This applies not only to criminals but also to doctors who lack competence," he added.

"Medical schools should provide holistic education as well as medical training"

On the morning of the 23rd of last month, graduates are taking the Hippocratic Oath at the degree conferment ceremony held at Myeonghak Hall, Chonnam National University Medical School, Hakdong, Dong-gu, Gwangju.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Furthermore, A argued that medical schools should provide holistic education alongside medical training. Holistic education refers to teaching not only specific knowledge or skills but also cultivating various abilities that a person should have. He said, "I have always thought that medical education and evaluation should be more holistic," adding, "Instead of just graduating students who earn good grades in basic and clinical subjects, it would be better to move toward a system that can select more doctor-like individuals."

As a concrete alternative, he suggested "making admission easier but making graduation and licensing more difficult." Regarding the expansion of medical school quotas, A said, "Personally, I am not very interested in increasing or decreasing medical school quotas," and questioned, "Even now, capable people earn a lot of money, while those who are not earn relatively less, right?"

Earlier that day, Cho Gyu-hong, the 1st Deputy Director of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters and Minister of Health and Welfare, announced plans to initiate prosecution and administrative disciplinary procedures against those who failed to comply with the work commencement order, urging, "Please return immediately to the medical field to fulfill your duty as doctors who protect the lives and safety of the people." Since these doctors did not return by the 3rd, when the government promised leniency, a large-scale license suspension is expected.