South Korea passes a law allowing physician assistants to undertake some of the diagnosis and treatment responsibilities of doctors

On August 28 local time, the South Korean National Assembly held a plenary session and overwhelmingly passed the "Nursing Law" with 283 votes in favor, 2 votes against, and 6 abstentions.

This bill is of great significance. It clearly stipulates that physician assistants can undertake some of the diagnosis and treatment responsibilities of doctors, including assisting doctors in surgeries, etc., which provides a solid legal basis for physician assistants to carry out relevant medical behaviors.

In recent years, collective resignations of interns and resident doctors in South Korea have occurred from time to time, leading to a certain degree of personnel shortage in the medical field and bringing greater pressure to the medical system. All sectors in South Korea generally have high hopes for the "Nursing Law" passed this time, expecting it to legalize physician assistants to undertake some of the diagnosis and treatment responsibilities of doctors, and then fill the medical gap caused by the above situation to a certain extent and ensure that the public can obtain relatively timely and effective medical services.

The "Nursing Law" will be implemented nine months after its promulgation and is expected to take effect officially as early as June next year. This means that South Korea's medical system will usher in new changes and development opportunities. Relevant departments will also closely monitor the specific effects and impacts after the implementation of this law to continuously improve the medical service system, enhance the overall medical level, and better meet the health needs of the public. The passage of this law not only has a profound impact on the South Korean medical industry but also attracts extensive attention from the international community.