The Ministry of Health and Welfare announced on the 31st that it has appointed commissioners for the independent advisory body, the Doctor Workforce Supply and Demand Forecasting Committee, to estimate how many doctors will be needed in the future.
The ministry received recommendations for various experts from 21 related organizations and institutions, including health care provider organizations, consumer groups, academic societies, and research institutions to form the Supply and Demand Forecasting Committee. Of these, 15 commissioners were appointed.
Among the 15 commissioners, 8 were recommended by provider organizations, including the Korean Medical Association Organization, 4 were recommended by consumer groups such as the National Health and Medical Industry Labor Union, and 3 were recommended by academic societies and research institutions. According to the Framework Act on Health Care, the provider organization commissioners constitute a majority.
The chair of the Supply and Demand Forecasting Committee will be elected from among the commissioners recommended by academic societies and research institutions in the future.
The committee will start its first meeting in early August and will begin discussing specific details such as models, methods, assumptions, and variables for medium- to long-term doctor workforce supply and demand forecasting. Future schedules will be determined through discussions at the first meeting.
Minister Jeong Eun-kyung said, "The doctor workforce supply and demand forecast is an important task that will serve as the basis for determining medical school quotas and establishing doctor workforce policies after 2027," and added, "I will support the committee to ensure that it operates scientifically and transparently."