Medical schools want annual enrollments to nearly double in 2025
Jeon Byung-wang, who is in charge of health care policy at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, announces the results of a survey on medical schools' demand for higher student quota at the government complex in Seoul, Tuesday. Yonhap
Forty medical schools in Korea want the annual medical school enrollment quota to increase by nearly 3,000 in 2025 from the current 3,058 and by nearly 4,000 by 2030, the Ministry of Health and Welfare announced Tuesday, suggesting a justification for its move to raise the quota despite opposition from doctors.
The findings were announced after the health ministry, together with the Ministry of Education, surveyed the 40 medical schools across the country from Oct. 27 to Nov. 9. This came as a follow-up to the government’s Oct. 19 announcement of its plan to reform the country’s health care system to tackle physician shortages and deepening regional disparities in quality and availability of medical services.
The total admission quota of the 40 medical schools in Korea has remained unchanged at 3,058 since 2006.
The government considered increasing the annual medical school quota by about 1,000. As the results of its latest survey showed higher-than-expected demand from the schools, the reform push is expected to speed up.
This is expected to lead the Korea Medical Association (KMA) representing doctors, to strengthen its protests against the government. It has publicly opposed any intake hike and urged the government to address more urgent issues first, such as improving working conditions for physicians.
According to the health ministry, the 40 medical schools want to increase the annual quota by a minimum of 2,151 and a maximum of 2,847 in 2025. The schools also requested a consistent year-on-year hike so that the quota can increase by a minimum of 2,738 and a maximum of 3,953 by 2030.
The ministry said the minimum demand refers to possible increases immediately given the current staffing, facilities and capabilities possessed by each medical school. The maximum demand means refers to potential increases if additional conditions are met.
The results of the survey showed the wishes of the medical schools, the ministry said, noting that how much the quota will actually increase will be decided after its on-site inspections of each medical school and consultation with relevant experts.
“The latest survey was meaningful in that the government took its first step to address the health care system crisis that has been grown over a long time,” said Jeon Byung-wang, who is in charge of health care policy at the ministry.
“The survey also showed the possibility that the medical schools could accept more than twice as many students. The government will thoroughly review the results of the survey before finalizing the quota for 2025.”
Jeon added that the government will also work to draw up policies to improve working conditions for doctors in regional areas and in difficult fields.
The government has been seeking an increase to the medical school quota, as the country has faced serious shortages of surgeons, obstetricians, pediatricians and other physicians needed to provide essential medical services. The problem appears to be more serious in regional areas.
According to the health ministry, the number of doctors per 1,000 people in the country stood at 2.5, below the OECD average of 3.7.
Doctors, however, raised concerns that expanding the number of placements for medical schools could adversely affect the quality of education and training.