The Cause of Underdevelopment of Professionalism in Korea and the Solution

Abstract

The author of the target article argues that restoration of medical professionalism is the key to solving the crisis in essential healthcare in South Korea. However, the target article fails to explain the reasons why medical professionalism is underdeveloped in this country and what could be done to overcome this situation. The present article, which attempts to fill this lacuna, suggests at least two reasons why medical professionalism is underdeveloped in South Korea. First, medical professionalism did not arise in this country in order to gain the trust and respect of patients; 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 in medical decision-making and thereby weakened doctor’s autonomy. This article also addresses the question of how South Korean doctors can acquire medical professionalism. Three suggestions are put forward. First, the active cooperation of all members of society is needed to determine exactly what is expected of doctors. Second, doctors should be required to do community service like other professionals. Third, medical associations must set higher standard than the law and strive to have their members adhere to them.