Ji Sunghwan, Jung Hee-Won, Baek Ji Yeon, Jang Il-Young, Lee Eunju
Division of Geriatrics, Department of Internal Medicine, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
Ann Geriatr Med Res. 2023 Dec;27(4):280-285. doi: 10.4235/agmr.23.0199. Epub 2023 Dec 29.
In the face of an ever-increasing wave of an aging population, this paper provides an update on the current status of geriatric medicine in Korea, comparing it with global initiatives and suggesting future directions. Older adults require a multifaceted approach, addressing not only comorbidity management but also unmet complex medical needs, nutrition, and exercise to prevent functional decline. In this regard, the World Health Organization's Integrated Care for Older People guidelines underscore the importance of patient-centered primary care in preventing a decline in intrinsic capacity. Despite these societal needs and the ongoing aging process, the healthcare system in Korea has yet to show significant movement or a shift toward geriatric medicine, further complicated by the absence of a primary care system. We further explore global efforts in establishing age-integrative patient-centered medical systems in Singapore, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Japan. Additionally, we review the unmet needs and social issues that Korean society is currently facing, and local efforts by both government and a private tertiary hospital in Korea. In conclusion, considering the current situation, we propose that the framework of geriatric medicine should form the foundation of the future healthcare system.
面对日益增长的人口老龄化浪潮，本文介绍了韩国老年医学的现状，并与全球倡议进行比较，提出未来发展方向。老年人需要多方面的方法，不仅要解决合并症管理问题，还要满足未得到满足的复杂医疗需求、营养和运动需求，以防止功能衰退。在这方面，世界卫生组织的《老年人综合照护指南》强调了以患者为中心的初级保健在防止内在能力下降方面的重要性。尽管有这些社会需求以及老龄化进程的持续，但韩国的医疗保健系统尚未显示出向老年医学的显著转变或发展，而且由于缺乏初级保健系统，情况更加复杂。我们进一步探讨了新加坡、澳大利亚、加拿大、英国和日本在建立以患者为中心的年龄整合医疗系统方面的全球努力。此外，我们审视了韩国社会目前面临的未得到满足的需求和社会问题，以及韩国政府和一家私立三级医院所做的本地努力。总之，考虑到当前形势，我们建议老年医学框架应成为未来医疗保健系统的基础。
