[Interview with Medical Association President Candidate] ② Kang Hee-kyung, Chairperson of Seoul National University Medical School and Hospital Faculty Association Emergency Committee, "Medical Association Must Pursue Progressive Dissolution"

Leading Communication in Patient Care, Medical Student Education, and Resident Training
"Respecting the 7 Major Demands of Daejeon Association but Need to Explain to the Public"
"Establishing a Permanent System to Inform Medical Issues and Receive Solutions"

Editor's Note

Amid the prolonged medical crisis and internal strife, the Korea Medical Association (KMA) will elect its next president through a by-election in early January next year. Since the impeachment of former president Im Hyun-taek, the chaotic situation has been managed under an emergency committee chairperson system, but the next KMA president will lead the full-scale medical-government negotiations to resolve the crisis. Asia Economy is conducting a series of interviews with candidates running in the by-election. The second interview is with Kang Hee-kyung, Chairperson of the Emergency Committee of the Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital Professors' Council.

Kang Hee-kyung, Chairperson of the Emergency Committee of the Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital Professors' Council, is a pediatric specialist who graduated from Seoul National University College of Medicine. She treats pediatric kidney diseases at Seoul National University Children's Hospital. Serving as the 3rd Emergency Committee Chairperson of the Professors' Council, she has represented Seoul National University professors in voicing concerns related to ongoing medical-government conflicts.

Kang Hee-kyung, Emergency Response Committee Chair of the Seoul National University College of Medicine and Hospital Professors' Association, is discussing the background of her candidacy for the Korean Medical Association presidential by-election and her stance on the escalating conflict between the medical profession and the government at Seoul National University Children's Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 26th. Photo by Choi Tae-won

On the 26th, Asia Economy held an exclusive interview with Chairperson Kang at Seoul National University Children's Hospital in Jongno-gu, Seoul, discussing the next KMA management plan and her stance on the escalating medical-government conflicts.

- What made you decide to run in the KMA presidential by-election?

▲ I thought it would be a dereliction of duty not to try to improve the medical crisis even a little. In fact, the government needs to change, but there is no movement at all. So, I want to try to change the situation with new input from the medical community. Also, there is a consensus that a professor-origin president is needed, centered around medical school professors. Professors hold a significant portion in the medical community. However, until now, no current university professor has been elected as KMA president. It is necessary to restore the broken balance among medical professions within the medical community.

- What goals and pledges will you present?

▲ It is about changing and progressively dismantling the KMA's decision-making structure. Besides the presidential team, the KMA has a General Assembly. Delegates are elected proportionally based on the number of members who pay dues. However, for various reasons, many doctors do not pay dues. I want to normalize the General Assembly by creating a decision-making structure based on the proportion of all members, not just those who pay dues.

Looking at foreign cases, there are statutory organizations that all doctors join, but their goal is 'promoting public health.' Doctor interest groups exist separately. It is like having multiple KMA-like organizations by profession. It seems necessary to promote a transition in this direction through progressive dismantling.

If the government cannot present proper medical policies, a system where the medical community proposes policies is also needed. The medical community should lead the government. However, when establishing policies, the opinions of not only doctors but also the public receiving medical services should be reflected extensively.

- You have shown willingness to engage in dialogue with the government. How will your stance toward the government be if you become KMA president?

▲ A process of sufficient dialogue and understanding is necessary. If that does not work, other means might be used. But currently, the medical community and the government lack mutual understanding. Even the same words are interpreted differently. For example, doctors 'handover' after their shift and then leave. Responsibility for the patient passes to the doctor who receives the handover. However, the government does not fully understand what handover means. They question how residents can leave patients, but since handover is done, residents are no longer responsible. Strictly speaking, professors see patients, not their own patients.

- The Korean Intern Resident Association (KIRA) insists they will not return unless their seven demands are met. What is your view?

▲ I respect the seven demands. However, I think residents have not sufficiently explained to the public why they are making these demands. It is necessary to inform the general public in an understandable way. As Emergency Committee Chairperson, I have worked with consumer groups in joint actions and felt that initially, they even supported increasing medical school quotas, but after weekly meetings of two to three hours since last September, they now share similar views with the medical community. It seems that efforts to persuade and inform were somewhat lacking and need more attention.

- The Emergency Committee has demanded a complete halt to next year's medical school admissions. What is your opinion?

▲ Proper medical education is fundamental. But there are various opinions and methods on how to do it properly. However, the government's approach of saying "It will definitely happen, so don't worry" is not true.

The direction to reduce the suffering of medical students over the next 10 years is clear. But the best way to do this needs discussion. If all stakeholders and even those without direct interests gather and apply collective intelligence, solutions may emerge. There should be a public forum to gather various opinions. If I become president, I want to create a permanent system that provides related information to the public about contentious medical issues and allows the public to propose the best solutions.

- Cooperation with resigned residents is most required for the next administration. What is your plan?

▲ The opinions of resigned residents have not been sufficiently revealed. I think open dialogue is necessary first. Communicating with resigned residents at our hospital, I have faced many misunderstandings, but personally, one of my most important goals is to create a system where young colleagues and students can have hope. I want to frequently create opportunities for many young colleagues to join and engage in dialogue.

- Do you see a deadline for resolving the medical crisis?

▲ I don't think there is a specific deadline. The current medical crisis stems from a sick medical system. We must fix it and revive it somehow. We cannot give up. If one approach fails, we try another until it recovers.

- The College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) is over. What do you think about the possibility of adjusting next year's medical school quota?

▲ I think it is something everyone should discuss together. Like Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education Lee Ju-ho meeting only parents of examinees but not parents of medical students, such things should not happen. Students of the class of 2024, examinees, their parents, government, universities, professors, and resigned residents all need to gather and have a serious discussion. Results could come out in one or two days.

- What are your strengths and weaknesses as the next KMA president candidate?

▲ Communication and rational approach are my strengths. I believe these are essential capabilities for the next KMA president. Over the past six months, I think I am one of the medical officials who communicated most with the public. Also, I am involved in clinical practice, medical education, and resident training. I treat patients, educate medical students, and train residents. I have closely observed what problems exist and what needs improvement.

However, these strengths could also be weaknesses. I am not well aware of the situation in private clinics. I have never directly experienced how the KMA operates. But I believe I can receive help from colleagues who will work with me. Conversely, not knowing the existing system might bring new perspectives. I think I can identify problems that insiders might find difficult to notice.

- Any final words?

▲ I aim to narrow differences in views through sufficient communication and find better solutions for everyone. Consumer groups that have communicated steadily with the Emergency Committee since last September already share similar resolutions with us. We have also broadened our understanding of their positions. Based on professional pride that we protect the health of our people, I want to build a cooperative KMA that respects and unites to create better Korean healthcare.