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The Cause of Underdevelopment of Professionalism in Korea and the Solution

  • Korean Journal of Medical Ethics
  • Abbr : 의료윤리
  • 2023, 26(4), pp.295-301
  • Publisher : The Korean Society For Medical Ethics
  • Research Area : Medicine and Pharmacy > General Medicine
  • Received : November 9, 2023
  • Accepted : November 24, 2023
  • Published : December 31, 2023

Park Chang-Bum 1

1경희대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

The author of the target article argues that restoration of medical professionalism is the key to solving the crisisin essential healthcare in South Korea. However, the target article fails to explain the reasons why medicalprofessionalism is underdeveloped in this country and what could be done to overcome this situation. The presentarticle, which attempts to fill this lacuna, suggests at least two reasons why medical professionalism is underdevelopedin South Korea. First, medical professionalism did not arise in this country in order to gain the trust and respect ofpatients; rather, it is something that the Korean government imposed upon doctors in an attempt to control them. Second, by implementing national health insurance for all citizens, the government has intervened excessively inmedical decision-making and thereby weakened doctor’s autonomy. This article also addresses the question of howSouth Korean doctors can acquire medical professionalism. Three suggestions are put forward. First, the activecooperation of all members of society is needed to determine exactly what is expected of doctors. Second, doctorsshould be required to do community service like other professionals. Third, medical associations must set higherstandard than the law and strive to have their members adhere to them.

Citation status

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