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The dynamic evolution of rheumatology in Korea

Nature Reviews Rheumatology volume 12, pages 183–189 (2016)Cite this article

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Abstract

Rheumatology was first recognized as a distinct clinical specialty in Korea just 35 years ago. Young professors who were trained in rheumatology in the USA and afterwards returned to Korea contributed substantially to advances in rheumatology clinical practice, educational programmes and research activities. They also established the Korean Rheumatism Association, later renamed the Korean College of Rheumatology. These young rheumatologists had a major role not only in raising the level of clinical and scientific activities, but also in promoting academic exchanges around the Asia–Pacific region, the USA and Europe. Subsequently, Korea's rapid economic growth and high education level enabled rheumatology to advance rapidly. Today, continued efforts are required to raise the standard of clinical and basic research, to optimize clinical practice with regard to new biologic agents, to exploit personalized and targeted therapies for the rheumatic diseases, and to meet the medical demands of Korea's ageing society.

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Figure 1: Rapid growth of rheumatology in Korea.
Figure 2: Increases in the number of Korean rheumatologists over time.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge Professor Andrew. H. Kang (University of Tennessee, School of Medicine, Memphis, Tennessee, USA) not only for his tireless efforts in training and education in rheumatology for young Korean internists, but also for his tremendous support and promotion of international affairs, as well as encouragement of research activities, in the past 30 years. We also thank Drs C. S. Cho, D. H. Yoo, S. C. Bae, T. H. Kim, S. K. Lee, E. M. Koh, W. U. Kim, M. H. Park, S. H. Lee and H. R. Kim for their help with data acquisition and manuscript preparation. The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the authors and do not reflect the views of KCR.

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  1. Departments of Rheumatology, Catholic University of Korea and Konkuk University Medical Center, 120–1 Neungdong-ro, Hwayang-dong, Guangjin-gu, 143–729, Seoul, Korea

    Ho-Youn Kim

  2. Department of Internal Medicine & Department of Molecular Medicine and Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Research Center, Graduate School of Convergence Science & Technology and College of Medicine, Seoul National University, 101 Daehak-ro, Jongno-gu, 110–744, Seoul, Korea

    Yeong-Wook Song

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Kim, HY., Song, YW. The dynamic evolution of rheumatology in Korea. Nat Rev Rheumatol 12, 183–189 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/nrrheum.2015.165

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