Private Practitioners Expected to Begin 'Compliance-Based Medical Practice' with 40-Hour Workweek

"Members Gather Opinions on the Most Practical Solutions"

Private practitioners are expected to enter 'compliance medical practice' by adhering to a 40-hour workweek.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) Emergency Response Committee (ERC) announced this on the 31st at 3 p.m. during a meeting held at the KMA headquarters in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. The meeting discussed internal personnel composition, response strategies to the government's plan to increase medical school admissions, and other related matters. The meeting was attended by Lim Hyuntaek, the president-elect of the KMA, Park Dan, chairman of the Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) Emergency Response Committee, and Kim Changsoo, president of the National Association of Medical School Professors, among others, as committee members.

Kim Seonggeun, a professor at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital who was newly appointed as the ERC Public Relations Chairperson, stated, "After reviewing several proposals, it was concluded that private practitioners who had not taken action so far will begin practicing under a 40-hour workweek."

He added, "While the KMA cannot force participation, since this has been discussed before, those who have been preparing can start immediately. Because many members have agreed that this is the most realistic approach, it will naturally spread."

Regarding medical school professors' resolution to reduce outpatient services starting in April, he explained, "University professors are on duty at least twice a week, so departments with heavy outpatient loads will find it impossible to continue full outpatient services. Physically, it is not feasible, so some reduction is inevitable."

The ERC reiterated the need for a 're-discussion from the starting point,' including the scale of admissions increase, as a condition to begin dialogue. Chairperson Kim said, "Whether it is a decrease or increase in admissions, accurate discussion on the basis requires participation from many experts and clinical physicians."

However, regarding the condition set by President-elect Lim for the dismissal of the Minister and Vice Minister of Health and Welfare, he said, "That is not a term used at the ERC level," and added, "Future discussions will depend on the proposals the government presents."

In response to the government's request to form a consultative body that can represent a unified voice of the medical community, he rebutted, "From the beginning, the KMA ERC has included all sectors such as interns, professors, private practitioners, and employed doctors, and is speaking with one voice, but the government is misunderstanding this."

The ERC is also reported to have discussed personnel composition and administrative lawsuits against the government during the meeting. Although there was speculation that President-elect Lim might lead the ERC until his term begins, no changes in the ERC chairperson are expected.

Regarding the Korean Medical Students Association's filing of a lawsuit and injunction request with the Administrative Court to cancel the increase in medical school admissions, the ERC expressed hope for "a swift and reasonable conclusion given the high public interest in the matter."

Meanwhile, President-elect Lim, who attended the meeting, said, "An unfortunate situation such as a collective strike by private practitioners must be avoided," and added, "Those who can resolve the conflict, including the President and the leaders of the two major parties, must make a decisive decision."