Review of the Korean health care system performance During 2000~2010 and policy implications based on OECD Health data

Abstract

This study is aimed to analyze Korean health care system from 2000 to 2010 using 2012 OECD Health Database and to suggest policy recommendations based on these findings. For this purpose, the study identified the changes in Korean health care system in the aspects of resources, services and health status for the decade, and measured relative performance among OECD members by making comparison with four member countries - Japan, France, Germany, and Netherlands - for those countries have national health insurance(NHI) system similar to Korea. Moreover, this study is to evaluate the efficiency and equity of Korean health care system. For efficiency, this study selected several important indicators to analyze the Korean health care system performance. For analysis of equity, the study reviewed existing research findings. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: First, Korea over-supplied health care material resources such as hospitals, hospital beds and high price medical equipments, whereas under-supplied health care human resources including doctors and nurses. Second, Korea over-used health care services such as consultations with doctors and length of stay in hospitals. Third, Korea attained dramatic improvement in health status such as increase in life expectancy and decrease in premature mortality and infant mortality. This study found that the aspects of the change in Korean health care system is very similar to those of Japan. It is suggested to review strengths and weaknesses of Japanese health care system in order to respond various forthcoming changes in Korean health care system. There are a lot of challenges in Korean health care system. Because the system is dominated by private sector, it is difficult to appropriately regulate the supply of resources. Besides, low health insurance fee induces over-treatment and raises problems with quality of care and low level of patients' satisfaction. Confronted with these challenges, it is required to promote primary care, to improve equity and quality, and to put greater emphasis on health promotion initiatives and illness prevention, and to change payment system gradually which can improve performance as well as control of increasing health expenditure.