Professor Lawrence Loh, MD, Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, founder of the Young Doctors Network (JDN) under the World Medical Association (WMA).
[메디게이트뉴스 하경대 기자] Professor Lawrence Loh, MD, from the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, said about the issue of increasing the number of medical schools in Korea, “The number of medical personnel alone cannot solve the problem of medical accessibility.” He added,
Professor Lawrence Law is the founder of the Young Doctors Network (JDN) under the World Medical Association (WMA) and is a world-renowned medical policy opinion leader.
Professor Lawrence said in a recent online interview with Medigate News, “Problems related to access to medical care are occurring in many countries, but this cannot be solved simply with the number of medical personnel. Other countries do not approach this problem with numbers alone,” he said. “For example, For example, instead of manpower, new medical methods such as centralization of medical data, team-based treatment, and video treatment may be considered as alternatives, as well as strengthening patient education, linking hospitals with the community, and incorporating digital solutions and artificial intelligence (AI). “You can,” he said.
He said, “Canada has similar issues, such as the establishment of a medical school, but the most important factor for all types of policies is consultation with stakeholders in terms of feasibility of policy changes, feasibility of implementation, and clarity of financial support.” He added, “In Canada, the medical field is retired.” “We are heavily involved in policy decisions by consulting with the government, proposing short-term solutions such as connecting doctors to human resources,” he explained.
In particular, Professor Lawrence believes that increasing the number of doctors in a short period of time will have a significant impact on medical education capabilities. He warned that trying to solve the crisis of medical personnel could actually lead to a ‘crisis of educational personnel’.
He said, “The increase in the number of medical students inevitably leads to an increase in the demand for medical education. If educational capacity is not effectively increased in this process, the overall educational burden will only increase.” “It will only cause burden,” he said.
He warned, “We need to consider whether proper policy support can be provided in time to resolve this. Unless this problem is resolved, difficulties will arise in medical education achievement due to changes in the medical education environment and curriculum.”
Looking at this situation, Professor Lawrence believed that a deep consideration of the reasons why residents resigned should also be involved. This is not only because of the problem of increasing the number of medical schools, but also because there are many hidden problems in the residency training environment.
He said, “The resignation of many residents provides several implications. It may be related to the poor working conditions of residents (not just the problem of increasing the number of medical schools). We need to consider whether there are broader problems such as the medical system and organizational culture. “Unlike the North American resident training environment, in Korea, education for resident training is close to unpaid labor, especially if the number of lower-year residents increases in the future. “The burden will increase,” he emphasized.
In addition, he added, “To solve the problem, policy measures that can properly provide necessary education, such as paying fair wages for education and reducing the workload due to education, must be enacted.”
Lastly, Professor Lawrence sent a message of support to young doctors in Korea who are going through a difficult time, saying, “If young doctors come together and cooperate as one, we can move toward a better medical system.”
Professor Lawrence said: “Young doctors are at the forefront of healthcare systems in many parts of the world, especially as they face many difficulties and challenges following the COVID-19 pandemic. I urge you to remain strong and work together to continue to tell your stories. “It is important to share leadership and know that a better health care system is possible through your efforts,” he encouraged.
He also said to the Korean government, “Consultation is the most important thing in resolving the situation. We need to think about what problem we are trying to solve through this situation. If the problem is related to medical accessibility, such as exclusion from primary care or difficulty receiving treatment on time, “We must once again consider whether there are other alternatives to solve this problem, but in most countries, the issue of medical accessibility is not solved solely by the number of personnel,” he suggested.
**Considering the concerns raised by both Professor Loh and Dr. [Guest 2 Name] regarding the residency crisis, what specific policy changes could the Korean government implement to improve working conditions for resident physicians and ensure the long-term sustainability of the medical workforce? **
## World Today News Exclusive: Addressing Korea’s Medical Crisis – A Global Perspective
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News, where we bring you insightful conversations on pressing global issues. Today, we delve into the complex question of medical accessibility in Korea with a focus on the ongoing debate surrounding the expansion of medical schools.
Joining us are two distinguished guests:
* **Professor Lawrence Loh, MD:** Founder of the Young Doctors Network under the World Medical Association and a leading voice in international medical policy.
* **Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** A prominent Korean medical professional with firsthand experience in the Korean healthcare system.
**Section 1: The Numbers Game – Is Increasing Medical Schools the Answer?**
* **Professor Loh:** You argue that simply increasing the number of medical schools is not a sufficient solution to access problems. Could you elaborate on this stance and discuss alternative approaches seen in other countries?
* **Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** Do you agree with Professor Loh’s assessment regarding the limitations of simply increasing medical school intake? What are some unique challenges and opportunities the Korean context presents in this regard?
**Section 2: The Impact on Medical Education**
* **Professor Loh:** You raise concerns about the potential strain on medical education quality with a surge in student numbers. How can we ensure quality education and mentorship are maintained even as we train more doctors?
* **Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** From your experience within the Korean medical education system, what are the key challenges and potential solutions to balancing the need for more doctors with the imperative of maintaining high educational standards?
**Section 3: Addressing the Residency Crisis – Beyond the Numbers**
* **Professor Loh:** You highlight the resignation of residents as a crucial indicator of systemic issues within the medical system. What broader factors contribute to this trend, and what policy solutions could address these underlying problems?
* **Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** How does the Korean residency experience compare to what Professor Loh describes in other countries, and what concrete steps could be taken to improve working conditions and support for resident physicians in Korea?
**Section 4: A Collaborative Path Forward**
* **Professor Loh**: What message would you share with young doctors in Korea who are facing these challenging circumstances? How can they contribute to shaping a better future for the healthcare system?
* **Dr. [Guest 2 Name]:** What role can the Korean government play in fostering a more collaborative and sustainable approach to addressing the country’s healthcare needs?
**Conclusion:**
This has been a insightful discussion on the multifaceted challenges facing Korea’s healthcare system. We thank Professor Loh and Dr. [Guest 2 Name] for their invaluable insights. At World Today News, we remain committed to exploring these critical topics and promoting informed dialog on crucial global issues.
