An Estimation of Supply and Demand for Primary Healthcare Nursing Workforce in the North Korean Region after Korean Reunification
10.11111/jkana.2019.25.4.353
- Author:
Jinhyun KIM
1
;
Yoomi JUNG
;
Heeseung CHOI
;
Sun Mi CHAE
;
Chae Weon CHUNG
;
Nary CHUNG
;
Meihua PIAO
Author Information
1. College of Nursing, Seoul National University, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Democratic people's Republic of Korea;
Korean reunification;
Nursing workforce;
Primary healthcare;
Supply and demand
- MeSH:
Curriculum;
Democratic People's Republic of Korea;
Education, Nursing;
Humans;
Korea;
Military Personnel;
Nursing;
Primary Health Care;
Schools, Nursing
- From:Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
2019;25(4):353-361
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
PURPOSE: This study was done to estimate supply and demand for nursing workforce to provide community-based primary healthcare in the North Korean region to cost-efficiently narrow the health gap between the two Koreas in case of a Korean reunification. METHODS: To understand the nursing education system and current state of nursing workforce in North Korea, the authors interviewed six North Korean defectors who had worked as nurses in North Korea. Based on the interview results and literature review, the supply and demand for the primary healthcare nursing workforce that would be needed after Korean reunification were estimated RESULTS: Currently, a total of 2,100 to 2,700 North Korean nurses were estimated to have graduated from nursing schools with a 2 year curriculum or completed 6-month military nurse training courses every year. The projected number of nurses in demand to provide primary health care ranged from 84,160 to 105,200 and the shortage would be between 31,586 and 52,626. CONCLUSION: An active utilization of the North Korean nursing workforce to improve the health of North Koreans after reunification will be the best way to reduce the reunification cost which will be inflicted mainly on South Korea.
