Healthcare Policy Agenda for a Sustainable Healthcare System in Korea: Building Consensus Using the Delphi Method

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study is to suggest priority tasks necessary for building a sustainable healthcare system in Korea based on the Delphi consensus among healthcare professionals. METHODS: Twenty-five items covering the three categories that make up healthcare policy (healthcare demand, supply, and environment) were selected based on a literature evaluation. Email surveys were also analyzed using a two-round modified Delphi method. Of 59 experts, 21 completed the first and second rounds. Each item asked about the degree of importance and urgency, and the answers were rated on a 9-point Likert scale. A coefficient of variation less than 50% for each item in the Delphi survey meant that consensus was reached. Only items that meet a predetermined threshold are prioritized (agreement ≥ 90%, average importance score and urgency score ≥ 6.5). RESULTS: Eight items that satisfy all three criteria were set as priorities for a sustainable healthcare system. These tasks are “Securing the financial soundness of the National Health Insurance (NHI),” “Solving the problem of low fertility,” “Strengthening response to public health crises such as infectious or environmental diseases,” “Bio-health technology innovation using D.N.A (Data, Network, AI),” “Intensive management of dementia patients,” “Mental healthcare and suicide prevention,” “Reform of the operation structure of the NHI Service,” and “Reform the healthcare delivery system and payment system.” CONCLUSION: The eight items for which consensus was reached in this study should be prioritized for Korea’s sustainable healthcare system. Health policy makers will need to put considerable effort into researching and establishing these priorities.