US Dermatology Resident Application Rate Increases by 50%
"Guaranteeing a 4-Day Workweek and No Overtime"
Up to 40 Million KRW Received for SNS Advertising Costs
In the United States, a similar trend of doctors gravitating towards dermatology has been observed for reasons comparable to those in Korea.
On the 18th (local time), The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported that an analysis of data from the Association of American Medical Colleges showed that applications for dermatology residency programs have increased by about 50% over the past five years. The main reason residents compete for dermatology positions is known to be 'work-life balance.' WSJ explained, "Dermatology guarantees a four-day workweek and no night shifts," adding, "There is no overnight emergency duty, and working hours can be flexibly adjusted, making it especially popular among female medical students."
According to the U.S. residency matching program, 71% of residents who chose dermatology as their first choice this year were women. This figure has increased from 63% two years ago. Additionally, a recent survey conducted by a U.S. medical organization involving 150,000 doctors revealed that the average annual income of dermatologists was $541,000 (approximately 752 million KRW). This amount is more than double the average annual income of pediatricians, which is $258,000 (approximately 360 million KRW).
WSJ noted, "Until just 10 years ago, dermatologists were often mocked as 'doctors who treat acne,'" but "with the development of social media marketing, they have become aspirational figures by generating significant profits through procedures and cosmetic sales." In fact, there are cases where posting cosmetic promotion content on platforms like TikTok and Instagram can earn up to $30,000 (about 41.75 million KRW) in advertising fees per brand. Particularly, laser surgery and microneedling treatments take only about 20 minutes per procedure but can generate around $4,000 (approximately 5.6 million KRW) per session, making them highly profitable relative to time spent.
Meanwhile, similar to the U.S., a concentration of doctors in specific specialties is also occurring domestically. According to data submitted by Jeon Jin-sook, a member of the National Assembly’s Health and Welfare Committee from the Democratic Party of Korea, to the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service, among 129 newly established clinic-level medical institutions by general practitioners up to July this year, 104 (80.6%) reported that they would provide dermatology services. In contrast, newly opened pediatric clinics decreased from 32 in 2022 to 22 in 2024, and obstetrics and gynecology clinics also declined from 13 in 2022 to 6 in 2024.
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