From Disease Treatment to Care Services: Buk-gu's Korean-Style Primary Care Physician System

Selected for the Ministry of Health and Welfare's "Community Primary Medical Care Innovation Pilot Project"
Healthcare management for residents aged 50 and above at 29 local clinics through 2029

Buk-gu, a district of Gwangju-Jeollanamdo Metropolitan City, will launch a so-called "Korean-style primary care physician system" that provides residents not only with disease treatment but also with preventive healthcare and care services within their usual daily living areas.

Exterior view of Buk-gu Office, Gwangju, Jeollanam-do.

Buk-gu announced on the 7th that it was selected as the final winner on the 4th for the "Community Primary Medical Care Innovation Pilot Project," organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

The core of this project is to establish a comprehensive and continuous health care service system through local clinics that are closely connected with people's daily lives, in order to effectively respond to the increase in chronic disease patients amid a rapidly aging population.

In line with the Lee Jaemyung administration's social policy pledges and national initiatives, Buk-gu has proactively hosted symposiums and research studies for a pilot operation of the primary care physician model since last year, and newly established the "Primary Care Physician Promotion Team" as a dedicated entity for the initiative.

In particular, with the latest organizational restructuring, Buk-gu will strengthen the regional medical and care integration support system by creating a new "Medical and Care Support Team" within the Primary Care Physician Promotion Team, linking medical and health care services provided by the public health center with the region's integrated care resources.

As a result of being selected for the public bid, until 2029, the Buk-gu Public Health Center and 20 local primary care institutions will work together to provide personalized healthcare management for residents aged 50 and above.

This will involve conducting comprehensive assessments of each patient's health status and living environment, establishing management plans, and providing ongoing counseling and tailored care.

During the implementation process, Buk-gu will form multidisciplinary teams consisting of nurses, nutritionists, physical therapists, and social workers to support the participating medical institutions' health care management services while connecting with welfare and care resources.

Participating medical institutions can choose either the "integrated fixed payment system" or the "fee-for-service system" designed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare to receive compensation.

Buk-gu plans to undertake preliminary preparations this month, including recruiting specialized personnel, preparing to open the Primary Care Physician Support Center, and holding meetings for the supporting consultative body, before officially launching the project in earnest.

Buk-gu District Mayor Shin Sujeong stated, "Through this project, we aim to establish a strong cooperative system with local primary medical institutions and provide health management services that residents can truly feel," adding, "We will continue to do our utmost to successfully establish Buk-gu's own community-based primary healthcare model in the future."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.