Government Urges Applications for Additional Resident Recruitment by the 16th
971 Residents Who Resigned Employed at Medical Institutions...350 Increase in One Week
As the additional recruitment for residents in the second half of the year is ongoing until the 16th, it has been revealed that about 17% of the residents who resigned have found employment at medical institutions. The government plans to provide psychological counseling and other support to ensure that residents returning to medical practice do not experience psychological difficulties such as feelings of isolation.
Cho Kyu-hong, First Deputy Head of the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters for Medical Staff Collective Action (Minister of Health and Welfare), presided over the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters meeting on the 14th and said, "The recruitment for first-year residents is extended until today, and for second- to fourth-year residents and interns until the 16th," adding, "We urge the resigned residents who hesitate to apply due to concerns about public perception and training after returning to make wise decisions."
The government stated that to protect returning residents, it immediately requests investigations upon discovering lists of residents currently working or defamatory posts online. Minister Cho said, "So far, we have requested investigations into a total of 21 cases related to the distribution of lists and defamation, and the investigative authorities have identified suspects and taken measures such as referring them to the prosecution," emphasizing, "We will continue to respond firmly and strictly to illegal acts that hinder their return and hold those responsible accountable to the end."
Various support measures are also being devised to ensure that returning residents do not suffer psychological difficulties. Minister Cho said, "Unfortunately, some returning residents have reported feelings of isolation and deterioration in mental health," and added, "For residents who wish to receive psychological counseling, we will actively take measures to provide emotional support by utilizing the nationwide mental health investment support project, which has been in operation since July this year." He also promised, "We will carefully work with training hospitals to ensure that each returning resident receives quality training in an improved environment and obtains specialist qualifications."
Minister Cho also explained, "Separately from the second half recruitment, the number of those returning to medical practice is increasing," stating, "As of the 12th, 971 of the residents who resigned have been employed at medical institutions, an increase of about 350 from 625 on the 5th of this month."
In the second half recruitment conducted last month, only 104 out of 7,645 eligible candidates applied, recording a low application rate of 1.3%. As of the 5th of this month, 1,091 residents had returned to training sites, and about 11% (625) of the 5,701 resigned residents were employed as general physicians at hospital-level medical institutions.
Minister Cho said, "Tertiary general hospitals are strengthening efforts to fill medical gaps by recruiting 'general physician contract doctors,'" adding, "The government will also continuously support the expansion of personnel such as medical support nurses and accelerate structural reforms through institutionalization such as legislation to ensure that tertiary general hospitals operate centered on specialists."
The government plans to firmly maintain and continuously reinforce the medical care system. Minister Cho said, "Recently, the number of moderate to severe patients visiting emergency rooms has exceeded normal levels," and added, "We will thoroughly prepare in advance to prevent serious disruptions in the treatment of severe and emergency patients." He also conveyed, "We are actively promoting supplementary tasks identified through communication with the field, such as securing emergency medical personnel, improving emergency room operations efficiency, and reorganizing transfer and referral systems."
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