Cities tend to have a higher concentration of pediatricians compared to the number of children, according to a recent report.

In a report published by the Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, an imbalance in the distribution of pediatric care across South Korea has been highlighted. The report suggests that while Seoul, the capital city, has a higher number of pediatricians per 1,000 children and teens compared to other major cities, such as Busan and Daegu, rural areas face significant challenges in accessing medical care for children.

The number of pediatricians per 1,000 people aged 18 or less in Seoul stands at 1.15, a figure that drops to 0.72 in Gyeonggi and 0.8 for the country as a whole. This disparity is particularly evident when considering the combined population of Gyeonggi and Seoul, which accounts for 45% of South Korea's population, yet houses about half of all registered pediatricians in the country.

The report further reveals that North Gyeongsang Province has the lowest proportion of pediatricians per 1,000, followed by South Chungcheong Province, South Jeolla Province, and North Chungcheong Province. This geographical concentration of medical resources in the capital region is becoming a problem for the distribution of pediatric care.

Doctors in areas outside of Gyeonggi and Seoul are more spread out, potentially limiting health care options for children in rural areas. This issue is compounded by the decline in the number of trainee doctors specializing in pediatrics, with the number of medical residents in pediatrics decreasing from 816 in 2018 to 395 in 2022.

The decrease in the population of children and teenagers, due to a drop in birthrates, is another threat to the medical care system for children. The report does not provide information about the specific region in South Korea with the lowest number of pediatricians per 1000 children, nor does it discuss the quality of care or the distribution of specialized pediatric care across different regions in the country.

However, plans have been proposed to support those wishing to specialize in medical care for children, and researchers suggest policy and legislative changes to improve the compensation system for pediatrics. These initiatives aim to address the imbalance in pediatric care and ensure that every child in South Korea has equal access to quality healthcare.

The concentration of medical resources in the capital region is a pressing issue that needs immediate attention. With the number of pediatricians per 1,000 children and teens in rural areas significantly lower than those in major cities, it is crucial to address this imbalance to ensure that every child in South Korea receives the medical care they need.

Cities tend to have a higher concentration of pediatricians compared to the number of children, according to a recent report.