Chonnam, Hwasun national university hospitals short 278 doctors, data show
In short
Chonnam National University Hospital and Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital were 278 doctors short of their combined quota as of May, with 851 doctors on staff against a quota of 1,129, Yonhap reported, citing data disclosed by Rep. Jeon Jin-sook of the Democratic Party. Nationwide, 16 national university hospitals were 2,602 doctors below their quota. Seoul Shinmun reported the next day that the staffing shortage continued despite the return of resident doctors.
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Chonnam National University Hospital and Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital were 278 doctors short of their combined quota as of May, according to data disclosed by Rep. Jeon Jin-sook of the Democratic Party, a member of the National Assembly’s health and welfare committee, Yonhap reported. The two hospitals had a combined quota of 1,129 doctors but 851 working, a fill rate of 75.4 percent, Yonhap said. [ 1 ]
At Chonnam National University Hospital’s main branch, 616 doctors were working against a quota of 782, a shortfall of 166 and a fill rate of 78.8 percent. At Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital, 235 doctors were working against a quota of 347, a fill rate of 67.7 percent. Yonhap reported that the main hospital’s fill rate was 5.3 percentage points above the 73.5 percent average for national university hospitals nationwide, while Hwasun’s was 5.8 percentage points below it. [ 1 ]
Nationwide, the 16 national university hospitals had a doctor quota of 9,828 and 7,226 doctors working, a shortfall of 2,602. Yonhap reported that the fill rate rose from 54.9 percent to 73.5 percent compared with June of the previous year, with 2,173 more doctors on staff. That recovery came mainly from returning residents, whose numbers rose from 503 to 2,650, an increase of 2,147, while regular doctors fell by 57, from 3,704 to 3,647, according to the same data. [ 1 ]
Rep. Jeon said the response should not depend only on residents returning, and that staffing and financial support should keep expanding so experienced medical personnel, including specialists, can work stably at regional national university hospitals. [ 1 ]
Seoul Shinmun reported the following day that the two hospitals were severely short of 278 doctors and that the staffing shortage continued despite residents’ return. Its report was available only as a headline summary, without the detailed figures carried by Yonhap. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The figures indicate that regional national university hospitals remain short of doctors even after residents returned, which the disclosed data attributes mainly to a decline in regular, non-resident physicians. Rep. Jeon said continued staffing and funding support is needed so experienced medical personnel can work stably at regional national university hospitals, a point the reports frame as an unresolved staffing problem for regional care.
Key facts
- As of May, Chonnam National University Hospital and Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital had a combined doctor quota of 1,129 but 851 doctors working, a fill rate of 75.4 percent and a shortfall of 278. [ 1 ]
- Chonnam National University Hospital’s main branch had 616 doctors against a quota of 782, a shortfall of 166 and a fill rate of 78.8 percent. [ 1 ]
- Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital had 235 doctors against a quota of 347, a fill rate of 67.7 percent. [ 1 ]
- The main hospital’s fill rate was 5.3 percentage points above the national average of 73.5 percent for national university hospitals, while Hwasun’s was 5.8 percentage points below it. [ 1 ]
- Nationwide, 16 national university hospitals had a quota of 9,828 doctors and 7,226 working, a shortfall of 2,602. [ 1 ]
- The national fill rate rose from 54.9 percent to 73.5 percent since June of the previous year, with 2,173 more doctors on staff; residents rose from 503 to 2,650, while regular doctors fell by 57, from 3,704 to 3,647. [ 1 ]
- Rep. Jeon Jin-sook said support for staffing and finances should keep expanding so experienced medical personnel, including specialists, can work stably at regional national university hospitals, rather than relying only on returning residents. [ 1 ]
- Seoul Shinmun reported that the two hospitals were severely short of 278 doctors and that the staffing shortage continued despite residents’ return. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Chonnam National University Hospital and Hwasun Chonnam National University Hospital had 278 fewer doctors than their combined quota, data reported by Yonhap and cited by Seoul Shinmun showed. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The staffing shortage at the two hospitals continued even as resident doctors returned. [ 1 , 2 ]
Still unclear
- The combined quota of 1,129, the 851 working doctors and the 75.4 percent fill rate rest on a single outlet’s account of a lawmaker’s disclosure. Only Yonhap gives these figures, attributing them to data disclosed by a National Assembly committee member; Seoul Shinmun’s available text does not repeat the numbers.
- Why regular (non-resident) doctor numbers nationwide fell by 57 while residents returned is not explained in the documents. The documents state the change in staffing composition but give no cause.
- Whether the two hospitals’ staffing will recover, and what targets or measures apply, is not stated. The documents describe the May figures and a lawmaker’s call for support, but no plans or targets.
- Seoul Shinmun’s report is available only as a headline summary, so its details beyond the 278 figure cannot be checked. The document carries no article text, only the outlet’s feed summary.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- Yonhap reports that the two hospitals were 278 doctors short of their combined quota as of May, citing data disclosed by Rep. Jeon Jin-sook. [ 1 ]
- Seoul Shinmun reports that the two hospitals were severely short of 278 doctors and that the staffing shortage continued despite residents’ return. [ 2 ]