Improving the Korean Medical Association’s organizational strength and partnership for physicians

Abstract

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) was established by legal mandate. It is a statutory body for the medical profession. However, the collective dimension of professionalism is a foreign concept for Korean doctors; the KMA is perceived as a fraternity of physicians. Korea’s history of medical professionalization is different from that of Western countries where two different kinds of professional organization have developed: one for the public as a regulator and the other for doctors as a union or trade association. The KMA represents doctors nationally assembled by type of practice, geographic location, and function. Consequently, the KMA became a trade association. However, it is not easy for the KMA to serve two conflicting functions of self-regulation and trading body under one umbrella. It is time for the KMA to build up the organizational strength for the sake of doctors as well as the public. Having a sound trade association is a part of medical professionalism; it can advocate the critical value of medicine against undue influences from employers or governments in the era of industrialization and commercialization of medicine. To achieve this goal, the KMA should revamp its troublesome communication structure regarding its governance. Improving integration among key acting bodies within the KMA can streamline management by better communication. Preventing political feudalism to build consensus within the KMA requires new competencies for the leaders as well as the members of the KMA.