The Deepening Crisis in healthcare

A year after the legislative conflict that shook the medical community, the situation in Daegu-Gyeongbuk paints a grim picture. The term medical collapse no longer seems like an exaggeration when examining the current state of affairs. A meaningful reduction in both specialist and general practitioners has led to a reliance on medical support nurses to fill the widening gap.

According to recent data, the healthcare system is facing immense pressure. The decrease in qualified medical professionals is impacting emergency services, inpatient care, and overall patient outcomes. This situation raises serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of healthcare in the region.

Exodus of Doctors: A Statistical Overview

An inquiry by the Daegu Gyeongbuk Health and Welfare Team Conference into five university hospitals, including Kyungpook National University, Yeungnam University, Keimyung University, and Daegu Catholic University, revealed alarming statistics. In early 2024, Daegu had 765 major medical staff. Though, recent figures show a drastic reduction of 95.8%, leaving only 32 individuals. across the four hospitals surveyed, the total number of medical staff decreased from 1,036 to 77, representing a 7.4% reduction within a single year.

internal medicine saw the most significant decline with 31 fewer practitioners, followed by neurosurgery (8), and obstetrics and gynecology (5). The shortage is so acute that hospitals have shifted from annual to continuous recruitment efforts, yet struggle to fill essential positions, especially in emergency rooms.

The Rise of “PA” Nurses: A Band-Aid Solution?

With the departure of qualified doctors, hospitals are increasingly turning to Physician Assistant (PA) nurses to fill the void. The number of PA nurses has doubled from 376 in early 2024 to 797 currently.While PA nurses are expected to have at least three years of clinical experience,approximately 20% of them,including 35 individuals,have less than two years of experience or none at all. This raises concerns about the quality of care being provided.

Lee Jung-hyun, Chairman of the Daegu-Gyeongbuk Health and Welfare Team, described the situation as impossible, impossible, impossible, highlighting the severity of the crisis.

compromised Patient Care: The Consequences of Shortages

The lack of qualified medical staff is directly impacting patient care. Emergency room patient numbers have decreased by 39.5%, and emergency surgeries are down by 21.1%. Inpatient numbers have also fallen by 30-40% compared to the previous year. These reductions are not necessarily indicative of fewer people needing care, but rather reflect the system’s inability to handle the demand.

Tragically, there have been reports of intensive care patients not receiving timely treatment, leading to cardiac arrests and hospital visits. This underscores the critical need for immediate intervention to address the staffing crisis.

The dependence of senior general hospital majors accounts for more than 40%.it is indeed not enough to cover all the patients as only a specialist remains in the hospital site without a major.

Bae Yoon-ju, Secretary General of the Daegu Branch Division

Profit Over Patients: A Systemic Problem?

Critics argue that hospitals, driven by profit motives, are exacerbating the problem by prioritizing cost-cutting measures over patient care. By reducing the number of higher-paid doctors and increasing the reliance on lower-wage nurses, hospitals are allegedly maximizing profits at the expense of quality healthcare.

How are you solving the vacancy now? They are filling the place with a lower labor cost than a major.

Chung Baek-geun,professor of medical school at Gyeongsang National University

This trend raises ethical questions about the prioritization of financial gains over the well-being of patients and the long-term health of the community.

Conclusion: A Call for Systemic Reform

One year after the legislative conflict, the healthcare system in Daegu-Gyeongbuk is facing a critical juncture.Instead of strengthening public health, the focus has been on addressing chronic problems through low-wage efficiency measures. A basic shift in priorities is needed to ensure that patient care is not compromised by cost-cutting measures.The long-term solution requires addressing the root causes of the doctor shortage, investing in training and recruitment, and prioritizing patient well-being over profit maximization. Without significant reform, the medical collapse may become a self-fulfilling prophecy.