Amid doctors' strike, the Ministry of Health and Welfare in South Korea has announced a new project that will harness artificial intelligence in the development of a clinical decision support system for emergency departments.

It is investing 22.8 billion won ($16.7 million) over the next five years in the project, which aims to meet the following objectives:

• Establish an ER database 

• Develop technology for optimising the treatment process in the ER

• Develop an AI model for experiencing the ER

• Develop a CDSS for predicting conditions such as cardiac arrest, cardiovascular diseases, and sepsis

The project has involved five major hospitals, including Samsung Medical Center, Seoul Asan Medical Center, Korea University Medical Center, Gangnam Severance Hospital and Hanyang University Hospital. 

Korea's National Emergency Medical Center will also join the project to provide data and support for AI demonstrations. MOHW's Korea Health Industry Promotion Agency will also lend support through task management and evaluation and consultation. 

WHY IT MATTERS

In a statement, the MOHW said it initiated the project to explore national-level solutions to pressing hospital issues, particularly the lack of emergency medical resources and poor emergency medical capabilities of health facilities outside metropolitan cities. 

The government also noted the demand among members of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine and the Korean Society Of Artificial Intelligence in Medicine for emergency room AI that supports the early detection of patient deterioration and the reduction of patient wait times. 

THE LARGER TREND

Since February, around 10,000 junior doctors across the nation have been on strike, filing mass resignations and going on mass walkouts to protest the government's plan to increase admission in medical schools – a measure thought to raise healthcare staffing to meet the growing healthcare demand in one of Asia's fast ageing societies.

Their collective action has led to strains on emergency departments, with many forced to cut hours and cancel life-saving procedures. Since then, the government has tapped into military forces and retired doctors to keep the public health system running.