Everything you need to know about treatment in South Korea

South Korea ranks fifth in the world in terms of medical efficiency (Bloomberg) and leads in five-year survival rate after cancer treatment. This is because there are good conditions for the development of medicine here: large corporations based in Korea (for example, Samsung) supply the latest equipment primarily to Korean clinics.

Secondly, there is a strict selection process in the country’s medical universities, which requires not only high exam scores, but also active participation in Olympiads, debates and other scientific events. Admission to a medical school is a real test, and only a small percentage of students achieve graduation and doctoral status. This testifies to the high professionalism of medical personnel in the country.

Why is South Korea a popular medical tourism destination?

Treatment in South Korea is very much in demand. Patients from all over the world fly to the country knowing that they will receive quality medical care here.

Benefits of treatment in South Korea:

• High level of medicine in the country: The level of education in Korea is considered one of the highest in the world. This is proved by the fact that specialists from different countries come here to train and learn from the experience of local doctors.
• Advanced medical equipment: South Korean companies produce diagnostic and treatment equipment based on high IT technologies. It is not surprising that the best medical institutions in Germany, Israel and the USA order equipment from Korean manufacturers.
• Friendly attitude towards foreigners: The country’s mentality is manifested in a caring and respectful attitude towards foreign patients. Doctors and medical staff strive to create a comfortable and trusting environment for all patients, regardless of their nationality or cultural background.
• High level of medical service: The service and quality of medical care in South Korean clinics is an important advantage. The rooms here are comparable to those in high-end hotels, and the staff always try to keep patients comfortable and cozy throughout their treatment.
• Combination of classical and traditional methods of treatment: Unique Korean methods such as phyto- and herbal medicine, acupuncture and Taijiquan wellness exercises are widely used in the country, which are surprisingly combined with the use of modern medical technologies and procedures.

South Korea is a country of artificial intelligence and digital technology

South Korea is actively integrating digital technology into medical practice in an effort to improve the quality of healthcare delivery and outcomes.

• Digitalization of health care

The country began its journey to digitalization of healthcare back in 2003, when Bundang Hospital of Seoul National University became the first “paperless” clinic. Today, more than 90% of the country’s medical institutions exclusively use electronic document management.

• Medical imaging

The use of artificial intelligence capabilities in the country is bringing the medical imaging industry to a new level. The latest X-ray image processing technologies now make it possible to automatically analyze CT data, diagnosing various pathologies (e.g., septic state or brain hemorrhages), and to determine age from the left hand radiograph (can be used for unconscious patients whose name is unknown).

• Drug development using artificial intelligence

Korean pharmaceutical firms are incorporating artificial intelligence into the drug development process. One example of innovation in this area is the use of AI to predict drug interactions. This technology aims to reduce side effects of drugs (e.g., response to immunotherapy in cancer patients).

Top South Korean medical specialties

Oncology

Clinics in Korea successfully diagnose and treat even the most complex cases of oncology. Doctors practice proven methods of fighting cancer: endovascular techniques, cyber knife, modern methods of chemotherapy, cryoablation, radiotherapy and others.

Doctors have also made special advances in the surgical removal of tumors using robotic surgery. Sophisticated robotic systems allow surgeons to resect tumors with high precision and minimal damage to surrounding tissues. The use of robots in oncosurgery is accompanied by smaller incisions, reduced blood loss, reduced pain, and faster patient recovery.

Plastic surgery

South Korea is one of the three leaders in the field of plastic surgery (together with the USA and Brazil). Plastic surgery here is one of the most demanded areas of medicine. There are 13.5 plastic surgeries per thousand inhabitants, which is the 1st place among all countries in the world.

Local clinics offer a wide range of procedures, from rhinoplasty and blepharoplasty to breast, chin and forehead reconstruction. Foreign patients are attracted to South Korea by the relatively low price of plastic surgeries (compared to European clinics) combined with excellent results.

Orthopedics

South Korean orthopedic surgeons use advanced techniques and technologies to treat injuries and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Specialists implement robotic systems for precise surgical interventions and develop high-quality prostheses and implants.

There are several centers in the country specializing in the diagnosis and treatment of degenerative joint diseases and orthopedics. They offer a comprehensive approach, not only relieving the symptoms of diseases, but also eliminating their root causes.

Rehabilitation and regenerative medicine

In Korea, rehabilitation programs are in place to effectively recover from illnesses, injuries and surgeries. Specialized centers and clinics offer a wide range of services, including physiotherapy, massage, therapeutic gymnastics, and the use of modern rehabilitation technologies, including robotic systems and virtual reality. In parallel with the use of advanced technologies, many centers also introduce traditional oriental methods of treatment, which contribute to a more complete and harmonious recovery of patients.

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