Meeting with Director Geum Ki-chang of Yonsei University Medical Center
Emphasis on expansion of precision medical clinics, etc.
Emphasis on diversifying profits, including research technology
“Even in the absence of a legislative crisis last year, the rate of return on medical treatment at Yonsei Medical Center was already -0.5%. This means that there is no longer any profit from seeing treatment. “This is why we need to grow by creating various profit structures other than medical treatment as a future development engine, such as introducing innovative medical care.”
At a press conference held at Baekyang Nuri, Yonsei University on the 19th, Yonsei University Medical Center Director Geum Ki-chang announced that the center will focus on actively introducing innovative medical services such as new medical technologies and new drugs and transforming the system with a focus on extremely difficult diseases.
Yonsei University Health System Director Geum Ki-chang is announcing a plan to become a top general hospital through the introduction of innovative medicine at a press conference held at Baekyangnuri, Yonsei University on the 19th. Provided by Yonsei Medical Center
Yonsei University Medical Center has suffered a loss of over 120 billion won in medical revenue in the first half of this year due to legislative conflicts since last February.
Regarding the recent legislative conflict, Director Geum Medical Center said, “Realistic support is needed, such as reconsideration of the Medical Accident Special Act to make medical fees more realistic and secure essential medical specialists. “As the public sector is emphasized for hospitals, the cost of treating patients also needs to be viewed as a public sector,” he pointed out.
The example he gave was electricity bills. The hospital’s electricity bill is applied to general electricity rates rather than industrial electricity rates, so the annual electricity bill for Severance Hospital in Sinchon alone exceeds 22 billion won.
In order to stabilize management, Director Geum Medical Center focused on innovative medical care focusing on extremely difficult diseases, such as intermediate treatment. In the case of heavy ion therapy, which began operation last year, treatment was completed for 378 people with prostate cancer, as well as 59 people with pancreatic cancer, liver cancer, and lung cancer, as of early this month. In addition, as part of the work to advance precision medicine, the ‘Hanim Precision Medicine Clinic’, which opened in May of this year for diagnosis, treatment and research of rare genetic diseases, is also scheduled to be expanded into a center.
Keum Ki-chang, Director of Yonsei University Medical Center
He explained, “We plan to lead global clinical research and preemptively introduce innovative medical services such as new medical technologies to completely overhaul the system so that patients with extremely severe diseases will not be unable to receive treatment at Severance.”
To this end, each hospital under the Medical Center converted its infrastructure to focus on serious diseases, including reducing the proportion of existing general and short-term beds, and also formed a task force to build a specialist-centered treatment system.
We are also accelerating the diversification of our profit structure, including in the field of research and technology. As a result of strengthening digital health infrastructure, supporting research for new professors, and consulting for professors’ startups, 305 patent applications and 23 technology transfers worth 11.7 billion won were achieved as of October this year. In order to stimulate fundraising, we are also working to stimulate donations by introducing strategies for each organization and purpose.
Director Geum Medical Center said, “We will also strive to train medical personnel in medically vulnerable countries overseas,” and added, “Qingdao Severance Rehabilitation Hospital (tentative name) with 300 beds in Qingdao, Shandong Province, China will open in October next year, and a medical institution and medical institution with Youngone Trading will be established in Bangladesh. “The medical center, which includes educational institutions, is scheduled to open in 2026.”
Reporter Jeong Jin-su [email protected]
[ⓒ 세계일보 & Segye.com, 무단전재 및 재배포 금지]
—
Interview with Dr. Lee and Dr. Park, Professors of Medicine at Yonsei University Medical Center
Theme 1: The Importance of Innovative Medical Services in the Current Healthcare Climate
Question: How do you think the expansion of innovative medical services, such as precision medicine and new drug introductions, can help alleviate the financial struggles faced by Yonsei University Medical Center?
Dr. Lee: Innovative medical services are crucial for sustaining the long-term success of any medical institution. By introducing new technologies and therapies, we can attract a wider range of patients and maintain our competitive edge in the healthcare market. Moreover, this helps us to diversify our revenue streams, which is essential given the current challenges we are facing. It’s not just about treating patients; it’s about providing value-added services that contribute to their overall well-being.
Dr. Park: I completely agree with Dr. Lee. As public healthcare institutions face increasing pressure to reduce costs and improve outcomes, it becomes essential to embrace innovation. The introduction of precision medicine, for example, allows us to provide personalized treatments that are tailored to individual patients’ needs. This not only improves patient satisfaction but also reduces the burden on our resources. In addition, new drugs and therapies can often be expensive, but they can also generate significant revenue if we can demonstrate their effectiveness and uniqueness in the market.
Theme 2: Challenges in Balancing Traditional Medicine with Innovation
Question: What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered when trying to balance traditional medicine with innovative approaches? How have you overcome these challenges?
Dr. Lee: Integrating innovation into our existing medical practices can be difficult, especially when it comes to changing the mindset of our healthcare professionals. Some doctors may be resistant to new technologies or methods, preferring to stick with what they know. We have addressed this issue by providing comprehensive training programs and encouraging open discussions about the benefits of innovative approaches. This helps to build a culture of continuous learning and encourages collaboration among our staff.
Dr. Park: Another challenge is the cost of implementing these new technologies. While they may offer promising results, they can be expensive to purchase and maintain. We
![[딜라이트닷넷] The most preferred overseas travel destination for Koreans is ‘Japan’… More new city choices](https://i0.wp.com/www.ddaily.co.kr/photos/2024/11/19/2024111913225551239_l.jpg?resize=150%2C150&ssl=1 "[딜라이트닷넷] The most preferred overseas travel destination for Koreans is ‘Japan’… More new city choices")
