Efficiency and effectiveness: towards sustainable health outcomes

To the Editor,

The latest editorial discusses increases in medical school enrollment in Korea. It asks, “What is the optimal number of physicians for a sustainable healthcare system?” Studies predict a shortage of up to 10,000 physicians nationwide by 2035 [1].

This article argues that merely increasing the number of medical graduates will not resolve these issues, especially given the rapid rise in healthcare expenditures and the need for comprehensive reforms. Moreover, an increase in the number of physicians alone does not necessarily lead to improved health outcomes. Efforts should be directed toward effective primary care. It is essential to optimize the performance of all care providers and eliminate wasteful practices. To this end, primary care physicians should be provided with the necessary tools and systems to efficiently manage a growing number of patients. In the US context, Chen et al. [2] emphasized that simply adding more physicians is insufficient to address the challenges of a growing population and more complex healthcare needs. Healthcare systems need to adopt innovative models that enhance efficiency and effectiveness, rather than merely increasing the number of physicians.

Therefore, the shift should target efficiency and effectiveness while minimizing waste. Sustainable healthcare systems should emphasize public health and preventive care to reduce disease incidence and severity, which can alleviate the burden on healthcare providers. Promoting public health can significantly improve people’s health and reduce the incidence of diseases that require medical intervention, an approach that can be more cost-effective and beneficial in the long term [3]. Emphasizing preventive care can minimize the occurrence of serious health issues that require extensive management. Strengthening community health services can help address health issues at an early stage and prevent complications that would require specialist care. Additionally, encouraging patients to play an active role in their healthcare through education and self-monitoring can lead to better outcomes and reduce the demand for direct interactions with physicians [4].

Increasing the number of physicians is important, but it is not a remedy for achieving a sustainable healthcare system. Considering resource optimization, embracing innovative healthcare models and emphasizing preventive care are key to better health outcomes.