<Anchor>



Not long ago, a nurse who collapsed from a cerebral hemorrhage at Asan Medical Center in Seoul died.

This is because there was no doctor at the hospital at the time to perform the operation, and the situation is similar in other large hospitals.

In some cases, even brain surgery specialists have to stand on watch all year round.

So, starting today (10th), we will diagnose our emergency medical system in crisis and find a solution.



First order, Cho Dong-chan, medical reporter.



<Reporter>



A brain aneurysm embolization is in progress at a university hospital.



It is to insert a buffer material to prevent the swollen cerebral artery from bursting.



10 medical staff, including 5 doctors from neurosurgery, anesthesia, and radiology departments, will participate.



[Professor of Neurosurgery: This is a more prone area than other areas, so I'm going to do coil embolization today (I'm going to try)]



[Anesthesiologist: If blood pressure rises while waking, aneurysmal bleeding can occur, so Although it is the



same university hospital, emergency surgery at night is very different from surgery scheduled during the day.



There is only one doctor and one nurse, and the operation is performed with a minimum number of staff.



[Professor of Neurosurgery: (Even in the case of a patient (emergency) with a ruptured (cerebral blood vessel)), can we all gather like this in about 10 minutes?

This evening, at most, one person, one person…

(Surgery) There will be a big difference in safety.]



The Ministry of Health and Welfare is operating regional cardio-cerebrovascular disease centers in each local government as golden time is important for emergency brain surgery.



However, there is only one neurosurgeon at each regional center who can perform brain surgery.



This means that one doctor is responsible for 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.



[Professor of Neurosurgery: Whatever direction of manpower the government pursues (policy), the structure itself is, in some ways, a public opinion.]



The number of neurosurgeons per 100,000 population is the second highest among OECD countries, more than three times the average.



However, most of them specialize in neck and lumbar discs with relatively low risk, and there is a shortage of specialists in brain surgery.



At least in the metropolitan area, where there are at least one or two hospitals, it is better.



[Kim Woo-kyung/Chairman of Dae Neurosurgery/Professor Gachon University of Medicine: Seoul is like this, but the region is even worse.

Even though we are in the area, we are not doing this to choose a sector that can perform that difficult and necessary cerebral hemorrhage operation.] The



death of a nurse at Asan Medical Center in Seoul shows the reality of our medical care where the emergency system is collapsing.



(Video coverage: Hak-mo Kim and Sang-bo Sang, Video editing: Ji-in Park, CG: Cheon-woong Park)



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<Anchor>



Medical reporter Cho Dong-chan is here.



Q. Why is there a shortage of brain surgeons?



[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): There was a debate at the National Assembly today.

A brain surgery professor at Severance Hospital released his management evaluation last year, and I will show it to you.

See the number -4 over there?

4% deficit.

The 20 medical staff, including doctors and nurses, are using large space and expensive equipment such as cerebrovascular angiography and operating rooms at Severance Hospital, resulting in a loss.

The number of surgeries is too low.

I'll show you.

The cost of cerebral aneurysm surgery is 60 million won in the US and 12 million won in Japan, but 2.4 million won in Korea.

There's really no comparison.

There is clearly an aspect of the shortage of brain surgeons as the government has suppressed the number.

Since the number issue is a complex issue linked to the burden of the public, we will cover it in detail in a follow-up report.]



Q. How many doctors are missing?



[Cho Dong-chan / Medical reporter (specialist): The society thinks that about 250 emergency brain surgery doctors are needed in Korea, but currently there are only 130.

Let's hear it directly.]



[Neurosurgeon: If you are going to have an emergency surgery, there will be no people with you.

Having to fight alone in the operating room alone...

.]



[Cho Dong-chan/Medical Reporter (specialist): One or two brain surgery doctors are in charge 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

However, the emergency medicine department is shared by at least three people, and academia is demanding that even that much, and brain surgery doctors are shrinking from medical accident lawsuits.

It seems that a meticulous policy is needed so that it does not lead to defensive treatment while ensuring the safety of the people.]