Lessons From Unified Germany and Their Implications for Healthcare in the Unification of the Korean Peninsula.
- Author:
Gun Chun RYU
1
Author Information
1. Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs, Seoul, Korea. gchryu@kihasa.re.kr
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
German unification;
Health care system;
Korean unification
- MeSH:
Ambulatory Care;
Delivery of Health Care/methods/*organization & administration/standards;
Germany;
Germany, East;
Humans;
Medicine, Traditional;
Public Health;
Republic of Korea
- From:Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
2013;46(3):127-133
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
This study investigated the German experience in the transition to a unified health care system and suggests the following implications for Korea. First, Germany could have made use of the unification process better if there had been a good road map. Therefore Korea must develop a well prepared road map that considers all possible situations. Second, Germany saw an opportunity for the improvement of the health care system in the early stage of unification but could not take advantage of it because the situation changed dramatically and they had not sufficiently prepared for it. Korea should take into account the opportunity for improvement of the present health care system, such as the roles of public health and traditional medicine. Thirdly, the conditions f North Korea seem to be far worse than those of former East Germany and also worse than even those of other transition countries. Therefore Korea should design a long-term road map taking as many variables into account as possible, including the different rigid way of thinking and the interrelationship among the social sectors. Fourthly, during the German reunification unexpected factors changed the direction of the events. Korea should have a separate plan for the unexpected factors.
