Certain medical specialties that exist in Western countries may not have a direct counterpart in Korean medicine. In these cases, patients visit other specialists based on the nature of their condition. The care still exists, but it’s packaged different. Understanding how medical specialties may vary may help International residents better understand and manage their care while living in South Korea. Let’s get into what this means. Please read ALL of the information, and not just the headers. This topic is nuanced as heck, and it may not even make complete sense until you run into struggles with understanding your medical care or finding a particular type of care. What is a Medical Specialist in Korea? Understanding Korea’s healthcare system starts with recognizing how medical specialists, allied health professionals, and hospital departments may differ. Understanding the following definitions will make the rest of the blog post easier to conceptualize. A Medical Specialist in Korea In Korea, a medical specialist (전문의) exists specifically as a fully licensed physician who has graduated from medical school, passed the National Medical Licensing Exam, and completed rigorous residency (and often fellowship) training in a specific field. Such specialists hold the authority to diagnose, prescribe medications, perform procedures or surgeries, and issue official medical documentation. Their roles are well defined within the healthcare system, overseen by the Korean Medical Association and the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Allied Health Professionals By contrast, allied health professionals (As we understand it, this includes audiologists, speech therapists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, etc) play vital roles in patient care, particularly in testing, rehabilitation, and therapy, but they cannot diagnose or prescribe. These professionals earn university degrees and must pass national certification exams, after which they work under a physician’s direction. Hospital Departments Meanwhile, a hospital department (진료과) is not a profession but an administrative and clinical division (such as internal medicine, rehabilitation medicine, or rheumatology) where specialists, allied staff, and nurses collaborate to deliver care. Recognizing these differences is crucial for expatriates and international residents trying to find the right care provider in Korea. Especially when certain Western specialties don’t exist as standalone fields, and responsibilities are structured differently here. For example, a hospital can have a rheumatology department but have no Western style rheumatolgist on staff. Lived Experience On multiple occasions, volunteers have asked different healthcare workers, doctors, and hospital staff for help finding search terms for a rheumatologist or a podiatrist. The healthcare workers all responded with a version of either “I don’t know”, “We don’t know what that is”, or “We don’t know who to refer you to.” They were not trying to be unhelpful. We simply didn’t understand each other’s problems. They were unfamiliar with the details of the specialty, and they didn’t know what symptoms we needed to address. Therefore, they couldn’t refer us to the right kind of specialist in South Korea. Instead of asking for a specific Western medical specialist, we needed to explain what was wrong and ask what type of specialist in Korea treats that condition. Learning this information changed how we searched for medical information in Korea and allowed us to find far more information. Medical Specialties Vary by Culture Medical specialties often vary by culture due to differences in healthcare systems, traditional practices, and societal health priorities. In Western countries, specialties are typically highly compartmentalized, with fields like podiatry, geriatrics, and pain management as structured as specific, distinct disciplines. These focus on specific body parts, age groups, or conditions, often driven by a highly specialized, evidence-based approach. In contrast, countries like South Korea 1) incorporate traditional medicine alongside modern medical specialties and 2) categorize care into different categories. For instance, Korean healthcare combines Western medical practices with traditional treatments like acupuncture, and specialties such as podiatry do not exist as a separate field. Instead, various specialists, including orthopedists and dermatologists, manage foot-related issues. Cultural perceptions of health may shape these differences; in Korea, holistic approaches and preventive care through traditional methods are common, whereas Western systems often emphasize intervention after symptoms appear. Thus, the structure and focus of medical specialties can reflect a culture’s integration of traditional and modern practices, as well as its approach to healthcare access and treatment. Understanding Differences in Specialties is Important Understanding the differences in medical specialties is essential for foreigners and international residents to find appropriate care in South Korea. Knowing which specialist to see ensures timely and accurate treatment, preventing confusion and delays in care. Understanding local medical practices helps international residents navigate the healthcare system effectively and make informed decisions about their health. Meaning of “Medical Specialties That Don’t Exist in Korean Medicine” When we say, “Medical Specialties That Don’t Exist in Korean Medicine,” it means that the specialty is not formally recognized as a separate discipline within the Korean healthcare system OR you can’t be certified in Korea. For example, fields like podiatry or geriatric medicine are common in countries like the United States, but do not have the same kind of specialized training programs in Korea. Instead, care for related conditions is divided among existing specialists such as orthopedic surgeons, dermatologists, or internal medicine doctors. It also doesn’t mean that the type of care doesn’t exist. It might mean that the care is provided by an Allied Healthcare Worker or a Medical Department instead of one Medical Specialist. That means you might need to ask questions in different ways in order to understand how the care works in Korea. . Additionally, even though these specialties are not officially part of the medical field in Korea, doctors trained in these areas abroad sometimes practice within the country. They may work in international clinics, private practices, or university hospitals that cater to expatriates or patients looking for specialized care not commonly offered in Korea. These doctors might not hold formal recognition as a distinct specialty under the Korean medical system, but they provide services that align with those of their foreign training. This gives residents, especially international ones, access to specialized care even if it’s not part of the standard Korean healthcare infrastructure. For example, you can still find chiropractic care in Korea from chiropractors licensed in other countries, like the United States. Chiropractors can practice legally in South Korea within Korean medicine clinics called Hanwiwons. Even though chiropractos exist in Korea, the medical specialty doesn’t exist in the Korean medical system. Which can make it hard to find them in searchs online. How to Use the Following List To connect with the right specialists, it’s important to know how to ask for and search for the appropriate care. For instance, if you’re looking for a podiatrist, you might struggle to find one outside of a Seoul international clinic since that specialty doesn’t exist within the Korean context. If you know the medical specialty doesn’t exist in Korean medicine, it allows you to search for what does exist that will meet your needs. Instead, you need to ask for a doctor who treats the specific issue, such as bone pain or a skin condition. This guide will include key search terms to help you find the right care, even if the exact specialist you’re familiar with doesn’t exist in Korea. These terms will help you locate the appropriate doctors for your condition quickly and efficiently. Now that you have an understanding of what this information is about and how it can help you, let’s look at the missing specializations. Western Specializations That Don’t Exist in Korean Medicine When Western medical specialties don’t exist in Korean medicine, it means they don’t exist in Korean medical training. Therefore, you will likely not find them using such terms when you search on Naver. However, it’s theoretically possible to find international clinics using English Western medical terms to describe their services on Google. Unfortunately, most of the international clinics exist in Seoul, and you don’t need to travel to Seoul for medical care. Instead, we will empower you with more localized Korean search terms. Podiatrist (Foot Doctor) Korean Search Terms for Podiatry Support The information regarding podiatry required us to make a completely separate blog post. Please click here to learn more. Geriatrician (Elderly Care Specialist) Here are some helpful Korean search terms you can use on platforms like Naver to find specialists who can address elderly care needs in Korea, given that there is no formal geriatric medicine specialty: Search Terms for Elderly Care Internal Medicine (내과, Naegwa) Rehabilitation Medicine (재활의학과, Jaehwal Uihakgwa) Neurologist (신경과, Singyeonggwa) Family Medicine (가정의학과, Gajeong Uihakgwa) Allergist/Immunologist Additional Clarification For Seeking Allergy Treatments However, this doesn’t mean you can’t find clinics and doctors who focus on allergies. While there is no standalone allergy and immunology specialty recognized in the Korean medical system, clinics and doctors still offer support. Instead of a standalone specialty, clinics integrate allergy care into their specialties like internal medicine, ENT, dermatology, or pediatrics. Korean doctors who specialize in these areas often receive training in managing allergic conditions as part of their broader medical education. Additionally, some doctors who focus specifically on allergies may have sought additional training or certifications abroad, particularly if they wish to provide more specialized allergy care that is not part of the standard Korean medical curriculum. These doctors might work in international clinics or larger hospitals that cater to more specialized needs. So while the field of allergy/immunology may not be a distinct standalone specialty in Korea, many doctors trained domestically are fully equipped to handle allergy-related conditions, with some potentially having supplementary training from overseas. Search Terms for Naver and Daum To find specialists in Korea who work with allergies, you can use a combination of search terms that target the most relevant medical departments. Here are some useful terms in both English and Korean: Korean Search Terms (Hangeul): These terms can help you find specialists within internal medicine, dermatology, pediatrics, and ENT departments, where allergy-related care is often integrated. You can search for these terms in combination with “clinic” (클리닉, Klinic) or “hospital” (병원, Byeongwon) to locate healthcare providers that offer allergy treatment in Korea. Rheumatologist (Specialist in Autoimmune Diseases and Arthritis) For finding a rheumatologist or specialists dealing with autoimmune diseases and arthritis in Korea, here are some useful Korean search terms that you can use on Naver: Korean Search Terms for Rheumatologists and Related Specialties Occupational Therapist (OT) Search Terms to Support Occupational Therapy: Physical Therapist (물리치료사, Mullichiryosa) Rehabilitation Medicine (재활의학과, Jaehwal Uihakgwa) Psychiatrist (정신건강의학과, Jeongsingeongang Uihakgwa) Chiropractor Here are some useful search terms you can use on Naver to find care for spine and musculoskeletal issues, given that chiropractic care is not formally recognized in Korea: Search Terms for Spine and Musculoskeletal Care on Naver Orthopedic Surgeon (정형외과, Jeonghyeong Oegwa) Physical Therapist (물리치료사, Mullichiryosa) Traditional Korean Medicine Doctor (한의사, Hanuisa) Audiologist (Hearing Specialist) Here are search terms to help you find services similar to audiology in Korea, where this specialty is often covered by other fields: Search Terms for Audiology Alternatives on Naver: ENT Specialist (이비인후과, Ibinu-gwa) Neurologist (신경과, Singyeonggwa) Speech Therapist (언어치료사, Eoneo Chiryosa) Pain Management Specialist Here are search terms to help you find services related to pain management in Korea, where there is no distinct pain management specialty: Search Terms for Pain Management Alternatives on Naver: Anesthesiologist (마취통증의학과, Machitongjeung Uihakgwa) Rehabilitation Medicine (재활의학과, Jaehwal Uihakgwa) Traditional Korean Medicine Doctor (한의사, Hanuisa) Sports Medicine Specialist Here are search terms to help you find services related to sports medicine in Korea, where the specialty is often covered under orthopedics or rehabilitation: Search Terms for Sports Medicine Alternatives on Naver Orthopedic Surgeon (정형외과, Jeonghyeong Oegwa) Physical Therapist (물리치료사, Mullichiryosa) Rehabilitation Medicine (재활의학과, Jaehwal Uihakgwa) Urogynecologist (Pelvic Floor Specialist) Here are search terms to help you find services related to urogynecology in Korea, where this specialty does not exist as a distinct field: Search Terms for Urogynecology Alternatives on Naver Obstetrician/Gynecologist (산부인과, Sanbuingwa) Urologist (비뇨기과, Binyogigwa) Sleep Specialist Here are search terms to help you find services related to sleep medicine in Korea, where there is no standalone...

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