SEOUL — In a significant development affecting South Korea's healthcare system, medical professors nationwide will reduce their working hours to address fatigue exacerbated by an ongoing strike among junior doctors.
According to Yonhap News Agency, starting Monday, these senior doctors at key hospitals will adjust their schedules to mitigate the strain of increased workloads. The decision follows extensive discussions within the medical community, reflecting on the critical balance between patient care and the well-being of healthcare providers.
Committee head Bang Jae-seung articulated the context of this decision at a recent press conference, noting the unsustainable workload borne by professors in light of the junior doctors' strike. An internal survey highlighted that weekly work hours for these professors varied dramatically, with some reporting nearly 100 hours. The adopted changes will entail significant reductions, particularly after extended shifts, to ensure that professors can maintain their health and efficacy in patient care.
Under the new guidelines, the focus will be on providing care to seriously ill and emergency patients, while elective procedures and outpatient services will be curtailed. Bang emphasized the necessity of these adjustments for maintaining both the safety of patients and the health of medical staff, despite potential increases in public inconvenience.
These changes align with broader efforts within the medical community to address the fallout from the junior doctors' strike. The Korean Medical Association has noted that community doctors will also see their hours reduced to a 40-hour workweek, aiming for a gradual transition as the situation evolves.
This recalibration of work hours comes amid a healthcare crisis precipitated by the mass resignation of trainee doctors, protesting a government plan to expand medical school admissions. The impact of the strike has been profound, with the health ministry monitoring potential delays in medical treatments and emergency responses.
A recent tragic case underscored the urgency of these issues: a young girl died after multiple hospitals, reportedly overwhelmed and possibly understaffed due to the strike, were unable to admit her for critical care. This incident has intensified scrutiny on hospital operations, prompting the health ministry to strengthen emergency protocols and ensure the continuity of essential medical services.
As the medical community navigates these challenges, the health ministry's efforts to monitor and adjust healthcare delivery systems remain critical to addressing the immediate needs of patients and ensuring the resilience of South Korea's healthcare infrastructure.