Korean Medical Association Regrets Insufficiently Reviewed Results Due to Time Constraints

"No accurate research or discussion on workload and productivity"

The medical community has expressed regret over the future physician workforce supply and demand projections released by the Physician Workforce Supply and Demand Estimation Committee.

Daehan Medical Association Hall, Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

On December 31, the Korean Medical Association stated its position regarding the committee's projections announced the previous day, saying, "It is regrettable that the results were released without accurate research and discussion on physician workload and productivity, and that the review was insufficient due to time constraints."

In its statement, the association said, "Rushing the process without thoroughly reviewing key factors that will have a decisive impact on the outcome is not appropriate for a critical policy decision process that will shape the future healthcare system." "Moreover, the assumption that medical utilization will continue to increase at the current rate is impossible both from a demographic-economic perspective and under the current national health insurance system," it pointed out.

The criticism extended to the committee's verification methods and the overall structure of its discussions. The association stated, "It is reasonable that the committee did not rely on a single method for verification and instead applied various approaches. However, verification methods that do not meet international standards are problematic."

It added, "Physician workforce projections are so difficult that even a slight change in variables can result in a twofold difference in expected values. We plan to review and verify the evidence and data that led to these projections."

The association also stated, "This projection was produced solely to address the political controversy over whether there is a shortage of doctors, without any consideration for the actual conditions and realities of medical school education. Physician workforce policy should not be determined solely by a target number, and in-depth discussions with medical school professors are necessary."

The association emphasized, "These projections should not be immediately accepted as the final conclusion. The Health and Medical Policy Deliberation Committee should not simply discuss whether to approve the results, but should reach a reasonable conclusion through substantive discussions on various outcomes."