An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea

Due to a worldwide paradigm shift from a medical-centered system to patient-centered care, there is a need to recognize actual (practical) medical service from laypeople. In South Korea, intrinsic healthcare use characteristics such as the “Herd Behavior” have led to waiting many hours for a short t...

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Main Authors: Soo-Young Yu, Eunyoung E. Suh, Seongmi Lim, Ji-yeon Kim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:SAGE Open
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241304578
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author Soo-Young Yu
Eunyoung E. Suh
Seongmi Lim
Ji-yeon Kim
author_facet Soo-Young Yu
Eunyoung E. Suh
Seongmi Lim
Ji-yeon Kim
author_sort Soo-Young Yu
collection DOAJ
description Due to a worldwide paradigm shift from a medical-centered system to patient-centered care, there is a need to recognize actual (practical) medical service from laypeople. In South Korea, intrinsic healthcare use characteristics such as the “Herd Behavior” have led to waiting many hours for a short treatment time at metropolitan-based major hospitals. Illustrating individual perceptions of an ideal healthcare system should take precedence when defining this issue. This study aimed to explore and describe laypeople in South Korea’s perceptions of ideal healthcare services based on their utilization of medical services. This qualitative study was conducted with 13 members of the National Participation Committee using semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method and visualized through a word cloud generated with MAXQDA software. Six themes were derived from the visualized words and an incremental analysis to explore perceptions of desirable medical services. Participants struggled to find a suitable hospital without expert guidance and felt objectified for their money. They distrusted and didn’t want to speak in front of medical professionals. They wanted their essential needs to be met regardless of their economic status. This study provides a description portrait of laypeople’s experiences related to healthcare services in South Korea, where medical services are predominantly provided by private hospitals with public insurance coverage. Users’ desire for tailored information through an integrated medical system that has a strong emphasis on people-centeredness must be embraced.
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spelling doaj-art-e2c900c7bb9e4c20b27ac2a582da0bcd2025-08-20T01:58:41ZengSAGE PublishingSAGE Open2158-24402024-12-011410.1177/21582440241304578An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South KoreaSoo-Young Yu0Eunyoung E. Suh1Seongmi Lim2Ji-yeon Kim3College of Nursing, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, KoreaCollege of Nursing, The Research Institute of Nursing Science, Center for Human-Caring Nurse Leaders for the Future by Brain Korea 21 (BK 21) Four Project, Seoul National University, Seoul, KoreaGraduate School of Public Health, Seoul National University, Seoul, KoreaEulji University, Gyeonggi-do, KoreaDue to a worldwide paradigm shift from a medical-centered system to patient-centered care, there is a need to recognize actual (practical) medical service from laypeople. In South Korea, intrinsic healthcare use characteristics such as the “Herd Behavior” have led to waiting many hours for a short treatment time at metropolitan-based major hospitals. Illustrating individual perceptions of an ideal healthcare system should take precedence when defining this issue. This study aimed to explore and describe laypeople in South Korea’s perceptions of ideal healthcare services based on their utilization of medical services. This qualitative study was conducted with 13 members of the National Participation Committee using semi-structured interviews. Qualitative data were analyzed using the thematic analysis method and visualized through a word cloud generated with MAXQDA software. Six themes were derived from the visualized words and an incremental analysis to explore perceptions of desirable medical services. Participants struggled to find a suitable hospital without expert guidance and felt objectified for their money. They distrusted and didn’t want to speak in front of medical professionals. They wanted their essential needs to be met regardless of their economic status. This study provides a description portrait of laypeople’s experiences related to healthcare services in South Korea, where medical services are predominantly provided by private hospitals with public insurance coverage. Users’ desire for tailored information through an integrated medical system that has a strong emphasis on people-centeredness must be embraced.https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241304578
spellingShingle Soo-Young Yu
Eunyoung E. Suh
Seongmi Lim
Ji-yeon Kim
An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
SAGE Open
title An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
title_full An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
title_fullStr An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
title_full_unstemmed An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
title_short An Exploratory Study of Ideal Medical Systems Based on the Experiences of Laypeople in South Korea
title_sort exploratory study of ideal medical systems based on the experiences of laypeople in south korea
url https://doi.org/10.1177/21582440241304578
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