Colorectal Cancer: Express Surgery in 12 Days
- SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A sweeping reform of the South Korean medical system, initiated six months ago, is beginning to show signs of easing pressure on large...
- One example of the reform's impact is the experience of Kim Jung-nam, 58, of Seoul.After noticing blood in his stool in September 2024, Kim underwent a health checkup...
- “I expected a long wait at a university hospital,” Kim said.
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Korean Medical Reform Shows Early Promise in Streamlining Patient Care
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A sweeping reform of the South Korean medical system, initiated six months ago, is beginning to show signs of easing pressure on large hospitals and improving patient access to timely care. The reforms address long-standing issues of overcrowding and delayed treatment at major medical centers.
Faster Access for Colorectal cancer Patients
One example of the reform’s impact is the experience of Kim Jung-nam, 58, of Seoul.After noticing blood in his stool in September 2024, Kim underwent a health checkup in february at Daelim St. Mary’s Hospital, which included a colonoscopy and CT scan. He received a diagnosis of colon cancer on March 20. He was then quickly referred to Dr. Kang Sang-hee at Korea University Guro Hospital. Kim was seen the very next day, with Daelim St. Mary’s providing his medical records. He was hospitalized on March 30 and underwent surgery on April 1.
“I expected a long wait at a university hospital,” Kim said. “I never imagined I’d have surgery just one day after my appointment. The interaction between the hospitals was seamless, and I’m glad I chose Korea University Guro Hospital.”
Referral System Streamlines Care
The specialist referral system is a cornerstone of the medical restructuring project. Under this system, doctors at smaller hospitals can refer patients to larger hospitals, sending medical records electronically. Patients who can be adequately treated at the secondary hospital level receive care there, while those with more severe conditions are referred to tertiary centers. This differs from the previous system, where patients often booked appointments directly with large hospitals, perhaps overwhelming their resources.
Secondary hospitals are defined as general hospitals with 30-99 beds, encompassing approximately 330 institutions, and smaller to medium-sized hospitals, numbering around 1,400.
Nationwide Implementation
The reform divides the country into 11 regions, fostering cooperative relationships between major and secondary hospitals.as an example,Korea university Guro Hospital collaborates with 486 secondary hospitals,while Busan University Hospital partners with 86. This collaboration provides a ”fast track” for patients referred from secondary hospitals. Specialized appointment slots are reserved for these patients. In Kim’s case, he received treatment the day after referral, while another patient, identified only as Mr. A, was seen 48 days sooner than if he had booked a regular appointment.
Cho Hee-yoon, head of Korea University Guro Hospital, emphasized the importance of the system. “If senior hospitals are crowded with mild cases, patients needing urgent care may miss their treatment window,” Cho said. “The specialist referral system ensures patients receive timely care.” The average wait time at the hospital has decreased from 8.7 days to 4.1 days for patients with specialized requests, according to January data. Dr. Seo Seung-woo, an orthopedic surgeon at the same hospital specializing in scoliosis, noted that new appointments for his specialty currently face a wait of 18 months to two years without the referral system.
The “Big 5″ hospitals in South Korea are also participating in the specialized referral system. As an example, a patient identified as C.P. was referred from Gimpo Woori Hospital to Sinchon Severance Hospital on March 18. He received an outpatient appointment for thoracic surgery the following day, underwent a biopsy on March 25-26, and began cancer treatment on April 10.
Early Results and Future Investment
The number of specialist requests has increased substantially, from 859 in November 2024 to 7,076 in January 2025. The proportion of severe cases treated at major hospitals rose from 45% to 52% during the same period. Moreover, the number of patients returned to secondary hospitals for follow-up care after initial treatment at a major hospital has also increased, from 4,565 to 18,923 cases.
The government plans to invest ₩330 billion (approximately $250 million USD) annually to support the medical cooperation system, including specialist commissions, and ₩10 trillion (approximately $7.6 billion USD) over three years to restructure general hospitals.
Concerns Remain Regarding Primary Care
Shin Hyun-woong, head of the Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs, noted that “30-40% of patients seen at senior hospitals could be treated at secondary hospitals.” Shin emphasized the need to evaluate the performance of the program to ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate level of care.
However, some experts have raised concerns about the role of primary care physicians in the reformed system. Kang Jung-hwa, chairman of the korea Consumer Federation, argued that a specialized referral track is needed for patients identified with significant abnormalities at primary care clinics, ensuring they can be efficiently referred to tertiary hospitals or connected with secondary care providers if appropriate.
Korean Medical Reform shows Early Promise in Streamlining Patient Care
What is the Korean Medical Reform?
The Korean medical system is undergoing a notable reform aimed at easing the burden on large hospitals and improving patient access to timely care.The reforms seek to fix long-standing issues with overcrowding and delayed treatment, especially in major medical centers.
How Does the New Referral System Work?
The specialist referral system is a cornerstone of the medical restructuring project. Under this system, doctors at smaller hospitals can refer patients to larger hospitals, sending medical records electronically. The goal is to ensure patients receive care at the most appropriate level:
- Patients who can be adequately treated at secondary hospitals (general hospitals with 30-99 beds) receive care there.
- Those with more severe conditions are referred to tertiary centers.
This differs from the previous system where patients frequently enough booked appointments directly with large hospitals.
What are the Benefits of the Referral System?
The referral system aims to streamline care and improve patient access to specialists. This is done by:
- Reducing overcrowding at major hospitals.
- Providing a “fast track” for referred patients.
- reserving specialized appointment slots for referred patients.
How has the Reform Impacted Patients?
The impact of the reform is seen in reduced wait times and faster access to treatment. For example:
- Kim Jung-nam’s Case: Kim, diagnosed with colon cancer, was referred from Daelim St. Mary’s Hospital to Korea University Guro Hospital. He was seen the day after referral and had surgery shortly thereafter, highlighting the seamless interaction between hospitals.
- Faster Appointments: Another patient, Mr. A, was seen 48 days sooner than if they had booked a regular appointment.
- reduced Wait Times: The average wait time at Korea University Guro Hospital for specialized requests decreased from 8.7 days to 4.1 days.
What is the Role of Secondary Hospitals?
Secondary hospitals include general hospitals with 30-99 beds, encompassing approximately 330 institutions, and smaller to medium-sized hospitals, numbering around 1,400. They play a crucial role in the new system by providing care for patients whose conditions can be managed at that level, thus relieving pressure on larger hospitals.
How is the Reform Being implemented Nationwide?
The reform divides the country into 11 regions, facilitating collaboration between major and secondary hospitals. For instance, Korea University Guro Hospital collaborates with 486 secondary hospitals, and Busan University Hospital partners with 86. This regional approach supports effective referrals and coordinated care.
Who is involved in the Specialized Referral System?
The “Big 5” hospitals in South Korea are participating in the specialized referral system.
What Early Results Have Been Seen?
Early results indicate positive changes in the way patients are treated. Specifically:
- The number of specialist requests increased significantly from 859 in November 2024 to 7,076 in January 2025.
- the proportion of severe cases treated at major hospitals rose from 45% to 52% over the same period.
- The number of patients returning to secondary hospitals for follow-up care after initial treatment at major hospitals also increased, from 4,565 to 18,923 cases.
How much is the Government Investing in the Reform?
The South Korean government plans to invest significant funds to support the medical cooperation system:
- Approximately $250 million USD annually to support the medical cooperation system.
- Approximately $7.6 billion USD over three years to restructure general hospitals.
What are the Concerns Regarding Primary Care?
Some experts are concerned about the role of primary care physicians in the reformed system. They emphasize the need to evaluate the program’s performance to ensure patients are directed to the most appropriate level of care. Specifically, there’s a need for:
- Evaluation of the program to ensure appropriate patient care.
- A possible specialized referral track for patients with significant abnormalities identified at primary care clinics.
Summary of Key Data Points and Changes
Here’s a summary of some core data points derived from the text, highlighting changes that came about because of the new system:
| Metric | Before Reform (Estimate) | After Reform (January 2025) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Specialist Requests | Not Specified | 7,076 | Increased Significantly |
| Severe Cases Treated at Major Hospitals | 45% | 52% | Increased |
| Patients Returned to Secondary Hospitals for Follow-up | 4,565 | 18,923 | Increased Significantly |
| Average Wait Time (Specialized Requests), Korea University Guro Hospital | 8.7 days | 4.1 days | Decreased |