Expanding Home Care Needed to Prevent Healthcare Cost 'Flood' in Super-Aged Society

Home-based medical care is presented as the "final puzzle piece" and a core component of integrated care for the elderly, according to Yoon Jong-ryul, an honorary professor at Hallym University College of Medicine. Yoon, who now works as a visiting physician at the "Dolbom Clinic" in Seoul, advocates for retired doctors to contribute their experience to home care services.

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I always recommend 'working as a visiting physician at a home care institution after retirement' in lectures for doctors.

The Dolbom Clinic, designated as a long-term care home care center by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, serves elderly individuals with mobility issues. A team of doctors, nurses, and social workers provides medical treatment, nursing care, and social support directly in patients' homes. While the number of such centers has grown significantly since a pilot program in 2022, the participation of private clinics remains low, with many being public health institutions.

Yoon emphasizes that home care requires extensive clinical experience, as doctors often rely solely on a stethoscope without advanced equipment. He argues that retired physicians can significantly enhance the quality of home care by joining teams for a few hours a week. The clinic operates without external patients, allowing its four doctors, six nurses, and one social worker to focus entirely on home visits.

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Home-based medical care is becoming the 'final puzzle piece' and the core of integrated care.

Studies show that home care recipients have approximately 30% fewer hospitalizations and lower overall medical costs, including emergency room visits. This approach is vital for managing the escalating healthcare expenses associated with a rapidly aging population and can significantly reduce the burden on national health insurance finances.

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Because the current fee structure and distribution of medical personnel make it difficult for young doctors to dedicate themselves to home care.

Furthermore, home care aligns with the concept of "aging in place," allowing individuals to live and die in their familiar surroundings with adequate support. Yoon highlights that while about 70% of long-term care recipients wish to die at home, the actual rate is much lower, with most passing away in hospitals or nursing facilities. Home-based end-of-life care offers families more time for farewells, a stark contrast to the often sterile hospital environment.

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When doing home care, there are many cases where you have to visit with nothing but your body and make judgments relying only on a stethoscope.