Severe Shortage of Pediatric Residents… 8 out of 10 Concentrated in Seoul
Recently, there has been growing concern as the number of residents aspiring to become pediatric specialists in South Korea's medical field is dropping rapidly. It has been found that there are only 113 active pediatric residents nationwide.
In particular, it has been confirmed that approximately 80% of these residents are concentrated in large hospitals in the Seoul area. This is further exacerbating the "medical imbalance" phenomenon, where pediatric patients living in rural areas must travel to Seoul to receive specialized care.
Medical experts cite the low reimbursement system, excessive workload, and future uncertainty due to low birth rates as the causes of this phenomenon. As the number of doctors applying for pediatrics decreases, anxiety over regional medical gaps is growing, such as the suspension of pediatric emergency room operations in local areas.
To address these issues, the government and the medical community are discussing various measures to improve the training environment for residents and expand local medical infrastructure. Practical support measures are urgently needed to normalize the pediatric medical system.