Seoul Medical Association Survey Reveals 77% Opposition to Medical School Quota Expansion

SOUTH KOREA: In a recent survey conducted by the Seoul Medical Association, the issue of expanding medical school admissions has surfaced as a matter of profound concern, with 77% of doctors expressing strong opposition. 

The survey, which garnered responses from 7,972 association members, spanning various medical roles, sheds light on the prevailing sentiments within the medical community.

Membership Demographics and Opposition Statistics

The respondents, representing diverse roles, included 29% private practitioners, 37% professors, 21% salaried workers, and 11% intern-residents. The Seoul Medical Association reported that an overwhelming 77% of participants opposed the expansion of the medical school quota, even under the condition that such an expansion would occur following essential medical measures agreed upon with the medical community. A smaller portion, 23%, expressed ‘conditional approval.’

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Youthful Resistance to Increased Admissions

The survey highlighted a notable trend among younger doctors, with 92% of intern-residents, 84% of employed doctors, 75% of private doctors, and 70% of professors strongly opposing the expansion of the medical school quota. This underscores a pronounced resistance from the emerging generation of medical professionals.

Among those conditionally in favour, opinions on the magnitude of the increase varied. About 35% favoured an expansion of 100 to 300 people, while 31% supported an increase of 300 to 500 people. Only a minority, 12%, endorsed an increase of 100 or fewer people, while 11% supported 500 to 1,000 people, and merely 8% were in favor of an expansion of 1,000 or more people.

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Reasons Behind Opposition

A significant majority, 95% of members, expressed agreement with the statement that “expanding the number of students in medical schools is not a solution to essential medical care.” Concerns about increased medical costs and damage to public health due to an oversupply of doctors resonated with 56% of members, while 48% cited worries about a decline in science and industry due to the exodus of science and engineering students.

Call for Government Action

President Park Myeong-ha of the Seoul Metropolitan Medical Association emphasized the survey’s results, stating, “The government should implement the September 4 agreement and discuss the issue of medical school quota from the beginning in the medical school consultative body.” He urged a thoughtful approach to address the concerns voiced by the medical community, particularly the younger generation of doctors.