``Hospitals without doctors'' have become a reality... Angry citizens ask ``Where can I go when I'm not feeling well?'' - South Korean report

``My child was scheduled to undergo surgery tomorrow at a university hospital, but it seems that due to the doctors' strike, the date has to be changed to June.I have finished adjusting all my work schedules.
I'm in trouble even though I'm in a bad situation. ``Due to the doctor's strike, I was told that I had to wait because I didn't know when I would be able to perform the surgery.If I was going to have the surgery on the 21st, I would have to be hospitalized on the 19th.''
I have to go to the hospital, but I haven't decided whether to be hospitalized or not, so I don't know what to do. ” The medical industry, protesting against the expansion of medical university capacity, went on strike, and citizens
Anxiety is increasing. In particular, famous hospitals that handle a large portion of major surgeries in South Korea are at the forefront, and patients who are scheduled for immediate surgery are caught up in the chaos.
According to the medical community, specialized doctors (training) at the so-called "Big 5" (Seoul University Hospital, Severance Hospital, Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul Asan Hospital, and Seoul St. Mary's Hospital)
All doctors and staff members submitted their resignations on the 19th, and will suspend work at the hospital from 6 a.m. on the 20th. Currently, there are 2,745 specialty physicians at hospitals that are counted as the "Big 5," which accounts for 13,000 of the total specialty physicians.
This accounts for approximately 21% of the total. If they actually stop working at the hospital, it will disrupt operations such as surgeries, with the exception of some outpatient services. On the other hand, hospitals that are counted as one of the "Big 5"
We are being chased by schedule changes. This week, the Department of Thoracic Surgery at Seoul National University Hospital decided to cancel its surgical schedule and accept only emergency patients. Uijeongbu St. Mary's Hospital also provides support to patients and parents.
We have notified that some surgical dates will be postponed. As these facts have come to light, patients and their parents are becoming increasingly concerned. In Daejeon (Daejeon), I went to Seoul for a regular checkup for an 8-month-old child.
Kim So-Hee-yeon (32), who came to Severance Hospital in Sinchon, Ulu City, said, ``If we go ahead with the strike, I think it will be too harsh for the patients who have nowhere to go.''
Even if you don't have one, you'll have to wait three to six months before your turn for treatment will be postponed, and even that line may be extended even further. "I'm very worried that my child's checkup has been delayed," she said.
Lee Jung Shin (46), who had come from Daegu to Seoul University Hospital in Hyehwa-dong, Seoul, for regular medical treatment for her husband, who had undergone cancer surgery, said, ``I was not able to receive medical treatment. in
"I'm glad I came," he said, adding, "I want the doctors' organizations to talk with the government to prevent a strike from happening." Some patient parents are angry at medical organizations that encourage this situation.
Kido) is blowing his mind. Yoon In-ah, 33, the patient's mother, who was about to undergo treatment at Samsung Seoul Hospital for the first time in three months, said, ``My child can't say anything and can't even express where it hurts.''
"I'm angry that I can't receive medical treatment on a certain day even though I don't have a medical doctor." He added, "Don't doctors take the Hippocratic Oath? Don't hold a patient's life hostage."
I'm afraid I won't be able to do it.'' Moon Jeong-hye (42), who came to the hospital with her children, said, ``As the aging society progresses, the number of sick people will increase,'' and added, ``Even now, we cannot receive treatment at the hospital.''
Even though it is difficult to receive medical treatment, I wonder what will happen if there is a surge of sick people in the future. I support the government's policy of increasing the number of doctors."
The tasks previously performed by specialist physicians are now performed by other personnel within the hospital, such as nurses and clinical pathologists. I work at a university hospital.
``Doctors are requesting that other staff perform the work that was previously done by specialized doctors,'' said Park Hee-jung, who said, ``In addition to the previous work, doctors are now having to do the work of doctors. Already
"The workload is increasing," he said. Ju Soo-ho, president of the Future Medical Forum and chairman of the public relations committee of the Korean Medical Association's emergency response committee, said, ``If anesthesiologists do not administer anesthesia, other departments will be unable to administer anesthesia.''
Although he is unable to proceed with the surgery, I have heard that he has requested the department performing the surgery to shorten the surgery schedule because the operating room cannot be operated at 100% as before (due to the resignation of the major doctor). Probably an outpatient
"There will probably be some kind of action taken against them," he said, adding, "It's the same as a strike that has already begun at university hospitals." Kim Yoon, a professor of medical management at Seoul University, said, ``Over the past year, political
"It is not appropriate for (doctors' organizations) to go ahead with a strike even though the prefecture has held more than 100 discussions with the medical industry and promised necessary medical investments in the future," he said.
They should stop trying to maximize profits by using people's lives as collateral." On the other hand, in a situation where major doctors are resigning en masse and the Medical Student Alliance is teasing a resolution to take leave of absence, the majority of the population is
The survey results showed that the majority of respondents supported expanding the number of people. In a survey conducted by the Health and Medical Labor Union at the end of last year, 89.3% of respondents answered that they were in favor of expanding the capacity of medical schools.
6% answered, ``I do not support the medical association refusing medical treatment or taking collective leave.'' Gallup Korea surveyed 1,002 adult men and women from across Korea over three days from the 13th to the 15th.
When asked about their thoughts on increasing the number of employees, 76% of respondents answered that ``there are more positives'', overwhelming the number of respondents who said ``there are more negatives'' (16%).