Patient Group Estimates Less Than 5% Return of Resident Doctors... Need to Expand Replacement Workforce

Statement from the Korean Patient Organizations Coalition

A patient organization urged training hospitals to focus on securing replacement personnel for residents who have not returned.

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The Korea Patient Organization Federation (Federation) stated in a press release on the 16th, based on media reports, that it is estimated that less than 5% of residents have ultimately returned. The Federation said, "Regardless of whether residents return, training hospitals, including the 'Big 5' hospitals in Seoul, must dedicate themselves to expanding the medical workforce to replace residents who do not come back."

It added, "Through workforce expansion, preparations should be made to proceed with the pilot project for the structural transformation of tertiary general hospitals recently announced by the government," and "Establishing a medical system centered on skilled personnel such as specialists, without relying on residents' labor, is important not only for patient safety and patient rights but also for improving residents' working conditions, so the structural transformation is a welcome development."