Korean Medical Education Review (의학교육논단)

Yonsei university college of medicine (연세대학교 의과대학)
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Problems and Reconsideration of the Concept of Public Health Care (Public Health and Medical Services) in South Korea

한국 내 공공보건의료 개념의 문제점과 재설정

  • Sung, Jong Ho (ChungAh Psychiatric Clinic) ;
  • Kim, Jung Ha (Department of Family Medicine, Chung-Ang University Hospital, Chung-Ang University College of Medicine)
  • 성종호 (청아 정신건강의학과의원) ;
  • 김정하 (중앙대학교 의과대학 가정의학교실)
  • Received : 2021.12.09
  • Accepted : 2022.02.16
  • Published : 2022.02.28
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Abstract

The concept of "public health care (public health and medical services)" as discussed in South Korea is used in an unclear sense, with a meaning unlike the terminology used worldwide. The terms "public health care (public health and medical services)" and "health care (health and medical services)" have the same legal definition in Korea. Globally, "public health care (public health and medical services)" refers to medical services provided to the public that are operated as publicly funded resources, but in Korea, this term is confined to limited medical services prescribed by the government. The following considerations regarding "public health care (public health and medical services)" in Korea are proposed: All medical services performed by the state, regional governments, health care institutions, or health care workers to protect and promote the health of the people should be clearly established as "public health care (public health and medical services)" by definition. The financial burden borne by the state through national health insurance should be increased to an appropriate level to clarify the state's responsibility. Improving public health is an urgent priority in Korea, and this goal can be achieved by improving regional public health through systematic relationships between the state and regional governments, establishing a Ministry of Health, and efficiently allocating public health doctors who are important for providing regional medical care in rural and remote areas. It will be possible to actively deal with infectious diseases at the national level through establishment of a Ministry of Disease Control and Prevention.

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