A post surfaced on the anonymous professional community Blind, revealing the apprehensions of a doctor contemplating return but fearing backlash and negative perceptions. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Mar. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – In the midst of ongoing collective actions by resident doctors, a post surfaced on the anonymous professional community Blind, revealing the apprehensions of a doctor contemplating return but fearing backlash and negative perceptions.
On March 7, a user identifying as a resident doctor, referred to as A, shared their dilemma in a post titled “A Resident Doctor Wanting to Return.”
A expressed initial support for government policies and would not have chosen to strike, but felt compelled to participate. “The group I belong to scares me more than the work resumption order or the three-month license suspension,” A confessed.
The predicament of facing years alongside peers and seniors, coupled with potential disdain and disadvantages, weighs heavily on A’s decision to return.
Recalling past instances from 2020, A noted, “I saw colleagues who didn’t join the strike face repercussions, and I’m terrified of suffering the same fate if I return alone.”
A also revealed that a list of doctors returning to work is being circulated within the medical community, complete with names and hospital affiliations, subjecting them to further scrutiny and potential vilification.
The toxic online environment, where even mildly dissenting opinions attract severe abuse and threats, adds to the reluctance of doctors like A to openly break from the collective stance.
“With comments threatening physical violence and hundreds of abusive messages for just expressing a different viewpoint, it’s daunting to figure out what to do,” A lamented in their post.
This revelation comes as the Ministry of Health and Welfare disclosed that as of March 6, 91.8% of resident doctors at 100 training hospitals have either abandoned their contracts or left their posts.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
