Cheongju, Jecheon pilot 'health experiments': receive treatment and medicine at local health centers

An experimental healthcare initiative is set to launch in rural areas of South Korea's Chungcheongbuk-do province, empowering nurses to provide basic medical services, including diagnoses and prescriptions, at local health centers. This pilot program aims to address healthcare disparities in underserved communities.

The "integrated health center" model will be trialed at five health centers located in Cheongju (Gadeok, Nangseong, Hyeondo, and Buki) and Jecheon (Hansu). These specific locations were chosen because they currently have no public health doctors assigned to them, relying instead on infrequent mobile clinics.

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The dedicated official is a skilled employee with a nursing license who can provide basic medical treatment for conditions like colds and stomach bugs and prescribe 91 types of medication specified in the Ministry of Health and Welfare's patient treatment guidelines.

Under the new system, nurses who are also licensed public health officials will be stationed at these centers. They will be authorized to conduct basic medical examinations and prescribe from a list of 91 medications approved by the Ministry of Health and Welfare for common ailments such as colds and stomach bugs. For chronic conditions like hypertension and diabetes, nurses can dispense prescribed medications if the patient has a prior prescription from a doctor.

The Ministry of Health and Welfare's guidelines permit these nurses to treat symptoms and illnesses within the specified drug range, requiring referral to a doctor if a patient does not improve within seven days or if their condition worsens. This program is expected to significantly improve access to timely medical care for residents in remote areas, bridging the gap left by the absence of regular physician services.

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For symptoms and illnesses designated within the scope of medication, treatment and medication administration are carried out, and patients who do not improve within 7 days or whose condition worsens must be referred to a doctor.