Patient: "The test report says 'Dwaejibigae' is too harsh"... Doctor: "If you want nicer words, go to psychiatry"

JTBC 'Sageonbanjang' Tip... What Happened at the Hospital
Confused by 'Dwaejibigae' Written on CT Scan Report
"For Understanding... Don't Come If It Bothers You"

A controversy has arisen over a doctor's remarks referring to fat tissue as 'dwaejibigae' (pig fat) on a computed tomography (CT) scan report given to a patient at a hospital. On the 22nd, JTBC's 'Sageon Banjang' (Case Manager) aired the story of a woman, Ms. A, who underwent a CT scan at a domestic hospital due to symptoms such as heart palpitations and shortness of breath.

[Image source=JTBC 'Sageon Banjang' capture]

Ms. A was diagnosed with hyperthyroidism and was hospitalized at the hospital. On the 18th, after experiencing various symptoms related to her heart, she visited the cardiology department and paid about 800,000 KRW for a CT scan. However, on the day she received the test results, Ms. A was shocked to see the term 'dwaejibigae' written in the description section of the CT scan report.

It was not a simple mistake. The doctor did not hesitate to say to Ms. A, "There is too much fat," "It's because you are overweight," and "This is all fat." When Ms. A expressed her displeasure and questioned, "No matter what, you shouldn't call a person 'dwaejibigae'," the doctor reportedly responded angrily, "I was trying to make you understand," and "If you feel bad, don't come back."

Furthermore, Ms. A's side claimed that the doctor said, "I explain this way to other patients too, so why are you the only one complaining? If you want to hear nice words, go see a psychiatrist." After Ms. A's side protested to the hospital, the hospital's vice director apologized on behalf of the doctor. Ms. A's mother said, "My daughter is sick and cannot exercise properly," and added, "We have currently filed a complaint against the doctor for insult and held a one-person protest at the hospital."

Attorney Park Ji-hoon, who heard the story, said, "Even if you say abdominal obesity or fat, people understand. Honestly, that is also unpleasant. But when the doctor responds with a confrontational attitude asking 'Why are you like this?' it seems quite wrong. However, it is questionable whether it constitutes the crime of insult."

Under criminal law, the crime of insult is established when a person publicly insults another. Publicity means the possibility of the insult spreading externally. If a nurse was present during the insulting remarks or if the consultation room was open with other patients nearby, there is a possibility of the insult spreading externally, and thus the crime of insult could be established. If convicted of insult, the penalty can be imprisonment or detention for up to one year or a fine of up to 2 million KRW.