Revisions to the Korean Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Self-Regulation Based on Medical Professionalism

In 2017, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) revised its Code of Ethics and Ethics Guidelines. This study compares the KMA’s Ethics Guidelines with the Code of Medical Ethics of the American Medical Association (AMA). This comparison identifies several points in the KMA’s Ethics Guidelines that are in need of further attention and possible revision. In particular, the KMA’s Guidelines should (a) describe the rights of patients prior to explaining the duties of physicians, (b) explicitly state that patients have a right to self-determination, (c) distinguish between informed consent for pediatric versus minor patients, (d) describe the ethical standards for doctors in non-clinical roles, (e) provide guidance for the ethical issues raised in relation to quarantine, and (f) describe ethical standards related to medical testimony. This study also suggests that the KMA should establish a committee to reflect upon and further improve its Ethics Guidelines.

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Media Coverage of the Ethical Issues in South Korea’s Healthcare System from 1945 to 1999

Park¹

2021

Korean J Med Ethics

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In the 1960s in South Korea, relatively few ethical issues in healthcare appeared in the media. In the 1970s, there was significant media coverage of the Mother-Child Health Act, strikes for medical trainees, and the refusal of medical treatment. In the 1980s, relevant media attention focused on medical accidents, active euthanasia, and fetal sex discrimination. And in the 1990s, significant media attention was given to brain death legislation, drug rebates, and human cloning. Until the 1970s, rebates in the healthcare sector were reported as a problem concerning pharmaceutical distribution as opposed to a problem with the ethics of doctors or medical institutions. In 1988, when the National Health Insurance system was established, rebates in the healthcare sector began to be viewed as criminal acts. Based on an analysis of the media coverage of the ethical issues in South Korea’s healthcare system from 1945 to 1999, this article draws the following four conclusions. First, medical ethics in South Korea are not properly distinguished from laws governing medical practice. Second, the development of medical technology has influenced the understanding and practice of medical ethics. Third, the medical profession is less able to regulate itself now than it was in the 1960s. Fourth, rebates in the healthcare sector have been over-criminalized.

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Revisions to the Korean Medical Association’s Code of Ethics and Self-Regulation Based on Medical Professionalism

Cited by 3 publications

References 2 publications

Medical Professionalism in Neoliberalism

Medical Professionalism in Neoliberalism

A Comparison of the Korean Medical Association’s Ethics Guidelines and the American Medical Association’s Code of Ethics

Media Coverage of the Ethical Issues in South Korea’s Healthcare System from 1945 to 1999

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