Korean paediatricians abandon the field due to declining birth rates.
South Korea is facing a shortage of paediatricians, a problem attributed to the country’s exceptionally low birth rate. This scarcity of doctors specialising in children’s health has created difficulties for hospitals in filling positions and has raised concerns about the well-being of children, according to medical professionals.
Over the past five years, the number of paediatric clinics and hospitals in the capital has decreased by 12.5%, reaching a total of only 456 facilities. In contrast, the number of psychiatry clinics has increased by 76.8%, and anesthesiology centres have seen a rise of 41.2%, as reported by the Seoul Institute, a public administration think tank.
The primary cause of this shortage lies in the declining birth rate, which reached an average of 0.78 babies per woman in 2022. However, the insurance system has failed to adapt to this demographic shift, leading to a lack of resources for paediatrics and discouraging doctors from pursuing careers in the field. Seven paediatricians interviewed by Reuters expressed concerns about the future of the profession.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare has acknowledged the limitations of the current system and has implemented measures to address the issue. However, data from the ministry reveals that hospitals were only able to secure 16.3% of the paediatricians they sought in the first half of the year, a significant decrease from 97.4% in 2013. As a result, parents are experiencing prolonged waits for their children to receive medical treatment.
One significant factor contributing to the shortage is the low fees paid to paediatricians. Unlike other countries where the government provides adequate financial support, South Korean paediatricians struggle with a low-price, high-volume model that is no longer sustainable due to the declining number of child patients. Fees for paediatric consultations have remained largely unchanged for three decades, while in comparison, other countries charge significantly higher fees for similar services.
In summary, South Korea is grappling with a shortage of paediatricians due to the lowest birth rate in the world and an insurance system that has not adapted adequately. This shortage strains hospitals, leading to extended wait times for treatment and potentially compromising emergency care for children. While the government has acknowledged the issue and implemented some measures, the low remuneration for paediatricians remains a significant challenge. Urgent actions are necessary to address this shortage and ensure the well-being of children in South Korea.