[Column] Time to weed out the bad apples – doctors who have become a public eyesore

A newborn delivered via cesarean section at 36 weeks of pregnancy was placed in a freezer by medical workers, shocking not only the general public but also doctors. This horrific murder showed a complete disregard for humanity, even among medical professionals. There have also been occasional reports of criminal acts committed by doctors in the media. However, the follow-up measures taken against them remain largely unknown.

These unfortunate incidents are being raised now due to the ongoing medical service crisis, which has persisted for over a year and a half. This crisis has caused immense national sacrifice, and there is no clear solution in sight for the medical collapse, whose aftermath is expected to last at least 20 years. Instead, public resentment toward doctors is on the rise.

If the deep-rooted distrust and dissatisfaction toward doctors are not addressed, medical issues will become increasingly complicated and difficult to resolve, and the public will continue to suffer. In other words, to resolve the current crisis, it is essential to restore public trust in doctors. To achieve this, doctors must engage in self-reflection and bold reforms.

Since the new administration took office, various discussions and meetings have been held regarding the return of medical students and residents. However, patient groups, civic organizations, politicians, and even university presidents and medical school deans are demanding that students and resident physicians issue a public apology and promise to prevent what they viewed as unilateral and unwarranted strikes from recurring. Furthermore, some students from other departments within the universities where medical schools are located, along with the general public and the media, are protesting that students and resident physicians are receiving unfair “special treatment.” Opinions within the medical community are also divided on this matter. Disputes and discord among the parties involved persist. I would like to reflect on how we have arrived at this point and whether there are any viable solutions.

Over the years, various issues within the medical community have accumulated, and the collapse of the medical system has brought them to the forefront. Looking back, it is clear that at some point, doctors ceased to be respected or trusted by the public and instead became objects of resentment and distrust, with the relationship gradually deteriorating. The hostility toward doctors and medical students is far more severe than imagined, not only among patient groups and civic organizations but also among the general public, legal professionals, politicians, and bureaucrats.

It is undeniable that doctors, focused on their work, often lacked an understanding of the public's feelings. However, the truth is that most doctors are kind-hearted and, above all, highly diligent. There are also many doctors and medical organizations that practice kindness in various ways. Despite this, doctors feel wronged by being labeled as “public eye sores.”

However, the underlying reason for this unfair perception is that doctors have failed to win the hearts of the public, and they are beginning to acknowledge this. The complex issues in the medical field, which have become entangled like a difficult knot, ultimately require political solutions, and the prerequisite for this is public awareness. This is because politicians often follow public sentiment without much consideration. Therefore, in the current situation where the majority of the public has turned their backs on doctors, a smooth resolution is impossible. Thus, the most urgent measure doctors must take now is to restore the public's trust and respect. As long as the deep conflict and distrust between the public and doctors persist, any “reform” will be meaningless and doomed to fail. Although it is late, I propose that medical organizations take bold measures to discipline doctors who have committed unethical crimes.

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) has long advocated for the government to grant doctors the right to self-discipline or establish an independent medical licensing authority. However, the answer has always been “no,” and the likelihood of approval in the future is virtually zero. We must now take the initiative to propose to the government that the licenses of unethical doctors who have seriously damaged the honor and trust of the entire medical profession be suspended or revoked, and actively inform the public of such measures through the media. This is to prevent the trust in the entire medical profession from collapsing due to the misconduct of a small number of doctors and to restore it. Even if such actions have no legal effect, demonstrating self-reflection could serve as a starting point to shift public sentiment toward a more favorable view of doctors.

When horrific crimes committed by a small number of unethical doctors are reported in the media, the entire nation is shocked, and trust in the medical profession as a whole is completely shattered. The KMA has a Central Ethics Committee. However, the most severe disciplinary action this committee can impose is suspension of KMA membership. This is a meaningless measure, worse than a slap on the wrist. There are no significant disadvantages to being suspended from the KMA.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare, which oversees medical licenses, can only impose substantial disciplinary measures, including the suspension or revocation of a medical license, after a final guilty verdict has been rendered. Therefore, such unethical doctors can continue their medical activities, including surgeries, while retaining their medical licenses until the final verdict is handed down. Some doctors even repeat their unethical behavior until the final verdict is handed down. Therefore, the KMA should take the lead in symbolically demanding that the government revoke or suspend the licenses of such doctors and widely publicize this through the media to change public perception. There are two objectives. One is to prevent further victims from suffering the same harm. The other is to inform the public about the self-regulatory function of doctors.

The crimes committed by unethical doctors that have been reported in the media vary, but here are some of the most shocking cases. The case of the murder of a 36-week-old newborn mentioned above, a doctor who sexually assaulted a patient during a sleep endoscopy, a doctor who abandoned the body of a patient who died from an overdose of medication, a doctor who prescribed drugs, a doctor addicted to drugs, a doctor who performed an unnecessary surgery that led to the patient's death and continued to perform the same surgery after the incident was revealed, endangering more patients, a hospital director who received millions of dollars in kickbacks, and serious insurance fraud, among others. Unfortunately, such incidents are all too common.

Most doctors who learn about these incidents through the media can only feel outraged, as they are unable to take any action. At best, they can file a complaint with the KMA’s Central Ethics Committee, but there is little else they can do.

Under current law, if a doctor's criminal behavior is uncovered, it is investigated, prosecuted, and if found guilty in court, the Ministry of Health and Welfare determines the level of disciplinary action, including suspension or revocation of the license. This process can take years, during which time the unethical doctor's criminal behavior may continue, and the public, unaware of the situation, may remain exposed to such behavior.

The media is abuzz, the public is outraged, and countless incidents are forgotten over time. However, the public does not forget. These shocking incidents are etched into the public's memory and accumulate, eventually manifesting as distrust and anger toward all doctors. This is why doctors often have no allies during medical crises. Therefore, extraordinary measures are now necessary.

This is not to say that doctors should take the lead in disciplining all unethical doctors. However, in cases where events have caused significant shock to the public, even before formal trials, if it is clear that a doctor has committed a crime, medical associations should proactively discipline the doctor, request that the government revoke or suspend their license, and make this information public through the media.

The medical community will face even more difficult challenges in the future. A rugged path lies ahead. To overcome these obstacles or at least minimize harm, self-reflection and innovation must accompany all efforts, and self-discipline against unethical doctors must be the first step.

Though it is long overdue, now is the earliest time to act. I earnestly hope that these extreme yet necessary measures will be implemented as soon as possible.