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Whose Essential Medical Care? Whose Crisis?: Thinking from People’s Lives

  • Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
  • Abbr : 의료윤리
  • 2023, 26(4), pp.265-271
  • Publisher : The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > General Medicine
  • Received : October 25, 2023
  • Accepted : November 24, 2023
  • Published : December 31, 2023

Kim, Jin-Hwan 1

1서울대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

This commentary discusses the issue of essential medical care in South Korea, shedding light on the implicitassumptions often overlooked in relevant discussions. The concept of “essential medical care” presently lacks a precisedefinition; it is understood primarily through the statements and deliberations of government officials and experts. The framing of a "crisis in essential medical care" is therefore questionable, as are the policy interventions predicatedon this framing. This commentary raises pertinent questions about the standpoints from which essential medicalcare and crises in essential medical care are analyzed, underscoring the need for elucidating the perspectives fromwhich such analyses are given. It is argued that neglect for this point may result in the favoring of the views of thosein positions of influence at the expense of the welfare of those grappling with adversity in the healthcare system. Thiscommentary examines several aspects of essential medical care and provides insight into the policymaking processand its implications for essential medical care.

Citation status

* References for papers published after 2023 are currently being built.

This paper was written with support from the National Research Foundation of Korea.