With the passage of the core system to ease regional healthcare workforce shortages, the "regional doctor system," through the National Assembly, a service-type and contract-type training and support structure for regional doctors in which the state, local governments, and medical institutions participate together has been put in place.
On the 2nd, the Ministry of Health and Welfare said that the enactment bill for the Act on the Training and Support of Regional Doctors passed the National Assembly's plenary session. The regional doctor system is intended to resolve imbalances in the distribution of medical personnel among regions and improve the quality of regional healthcare, and it includes service-type regional doctors and contract-type regional doctors.
Contract-type regional doctors, currently operated as a pilot program, are existing specialists who sign contracts with the state, local governments, and medical institutions and work in designated regions for five to 10 years. Following recruitment in four regions this year, it is set to expand to six regions next year.
Service-type regional doctors, newly introduced by this enactment bill, are selected from among incoming medical school students as a set proportion under the "regional doctor selection track," receive support for tuition and more, and are required to serve for 10 years in designated regions after graduation.
The enactment bill also includes mechanisms to ensure fulfillment of mandatory service. Regional doctors will be granted a "conditional license" that remains valid only if they work for 10 years in their mandatory service area, and during the service period, a "ban on concurrent positions" will apply, prohibiting them from working at medical institutions outside their service area.
The government will also strengthen support to create an environment where regional doctors want to work in the regions. In addition to improving treatment during the service period, such as housing support, job training, and career development, it will prepare measures to expand career opportunities, including more education and research opportunities, training at regional national university hospitals, and overseas training.
After completing their service, various support measures will also be pursued to encourage settlement in the regions, such as preferential hiring by regional medical institutions and support for opening medical institutions.
Minister Jung Eun-kyeong of the Ministry of Health and Welfare said, "Establishing the legal basis for the regional doctor system is the first step to strengthening regional, essential, and public healthcare," adding, "The state will provide full support so that regional doctors become the key cornerstones of healthcare in their regions."