TAIPEI (TVBS News) — As Taiwan shifts into a super-aged society, medical professionals across the island are encountering a range of significant challenges. These challenges are not only reshaping the landscape of healthcare provision but also demanding innovative solutions to ensure the continued well-being of this rapidly aging demographic.
According to the Taiwan Medical Association, the national average age of physicians is 51.5 years. The three oldest departments are Obstetrics and Gynecology at 56.7 years, Family Medicine at 54, and Ophthalmology at 53.7 years.
While the average age of doctors in Taiwan is not exceptionally high compared to other countries, the uneven distribution of young doctors among different specialties is a major concern.
Many young doctors are opting for dermatology and medical aesthetics, leaving no one to inherit the surgical experience from senior surgeons. This will result in a shortage of doctors capable of performing life-saving procedures in the long run.
Chen Jin-shing, the director of the Department of Surgery at the National Taiwan University Hospital, warns that this has created a vicious cycle. The chronic shortage of manpower in surgical departments is causing fatigue and overwork among older doctors, increasing the likelihood of their departure from the profession.
The major crisis of the medical system in Taiwan is the uneven distribution of young doctors. Without sufficient newcomers in crucial departments, the burden falls heavily on older doctors. Failing to address this issue could severely damage Taiwan’s medical industry.
