"If medical support is needed for the World Youth Day, Seoul Medical Center should naturally participate. It's not a matter of religion; it's about ensuring the safety of those visiting Seoul," said Lee Hyun-seok, director of Seoul Medical Center, during a meeting on September 28.
As the discussion turned to the 2027 World Youth Day (WYD), which is expected to attract between 500,000 and 1 million young people to Seoul next August, Lee emphasized the need for preparedness for potential medical emergencies at large gatherings. He believes that the emergency and disaster response capabilities developed by public hospitals should be integrated into the event.
According to Lee, seven hospitals, including five Catholic hospitals and Asan Medical Center, are currently discussing plans to respond to emergencies during the WYD. While the specific roles and agreements for Seoul Medical Center have yet to be finalized, he stated, "Discussions are ongoing, and we are considering formal agreements. If there are no significant changes, we would like to take on a role in preparing for any potential patient occurrences."
Lee recalled past experiences where Seoul Medical Center treated patients from other regions during large events. He stressed the importance of having a system in place for hospitals to share the burden of care when a large number of patients arrive in one location.
"Successfully hosting a major event enhances our country's image. There are ample reasons for public hospitals to participate," he added.
Lee's vision for WYD aligns with Seoul Medical Center's disaster preparedness framework. He reflected on the period during the COVID-19 pandemic when the hospital focused on treating infectious disease patients by clearing general wards. This shift resulted in regular patients transferring to other hospitals, and after the pandemic, the facility had to rapidly resume general services. Nevertheless, he views that experience as an asset for preparing for future disasters.
"There is no guarantee that the next disaster will be an infectious disease," Lee noted, emphasizing the need to be ready for situations involving multiple casualties. He explained that the hospital has designated beds for isolated treatment and that emergency facilities in the center are equipped with oxygen supply and suction devices for urgent care.
In the event of a sudden influx of patients, the hospital is prepared to set up beds in hallways for initial treatment. "It's more important to be prepared for various scenarios than to predict what will happen," he said.
Another key initiative Lee is pursuing during his tenure is the integration of medical artificial intelligence (AI). In February, Seoul Medical Center announced its vision to become an 'AI-leading hospital.' The AI he envisions goes beyond simple question-and-answer interfaces; it aims to connect scattered data within the hospital to improve patient care and operations, such as predicting patient influx, identifying available operating rooms and beds, and scheduling equipment maintenance.
For instance, analyzing the time taken for surgeries can help prevent patients from arriving too early or wasting time when an operating room is available but no patients are present. By analyzing the usage of imaging equipment and the timing of parts replacements, the hospital can also prepare for unexpected breakdowns.
Lee clarified that AI is not intended to replace doctors or nurses. "The final decisions must be made by physicians, and healthcare professionals should remain at the center of patient care. AI is a tool to support healthcare workers and enhance their capabilities," he stated.
Seoul Medical Center is participating in a government project to integrate AI into electronic medical records used by public hospitals. Lee emphasized the importance of ensuring that data from both inside and outside the hospital can be interconnected from the outset of system development.
He plans to share the successes achieved at Seoul Medical Center with other public hospitals. "We did not use the term 'leading' to imply that we want to be the only ones ahead. If other hospitals are interested, we want to facilitate knowledge sharing among staff," he said.
However, Lee does not underestimate the challenges faced by public hospitals. Seoul Medical Center had to rebuild its patient base after COVID-19, and during conflicts with medical associations, it experienced a loss of residents. He noted that staff worked together to avoid reducing consultation times or turning away patients.
Challenges such as difficulty in recruiting essential specialists and tight finances remain ongoing issues. He stated that not all deficits in public hospitals should be categorized as 'good deficits.' Care should focus on necessary tests and treatments, and the costs associated with maintaining low-profit areas like pediatrics and obstetrics should be shared by society. At the same time, hospitals must improve their operations and patient care. Lee proposed that support for public hospitals should be based on the care they provide.
The medical support for WYD and the introduction of AI represent two facets of what Lee envisions for public hospitals: serving as a safety net for citizens and visitors during crises while providing reliable healthcare in everyday situations.
Lee concluded, "I want people to think of public hospitals as places where they can entrust their health. I will lead the way in demonstrating the evolving role of Seoul Medical Center in public healthcare."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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