An Eye Clinic with Internal Medicine Under One Roof: Key Challenges Are Uveitis and Veteran Care
JC Bitsomang Eye Clinic Opens an Internal Medicine Department: “Patients Are Responding Enthusiastically, and This Could Become a New Clinic Model”
By Park Yang-myeong
Published: June 7, 2017, 5:00 a.m.
Uveitis and its role as a designated medical institution for veterans were the two key factors that led one ophthalmology clinic to make the bold decision to establish an internal medicine department within the clinic.
That clinic is JC Bitsomang Eye Clinic in Yeouido, Seoul. When the clinic relocated and expanded in March, it hired an internal medicine specialist and opened both an internal medicine department and a health screening center.
“Uveitis is often caused by systemic medical conditions, particularly autoimmune diseases. In addition, because we are a designated medical institution for veterans, many older veteran patients visit us. We wanted to reduce the inconvenience of patients having to visit a local internal medicine clinic before coming to our eye clinic.”
Dr. Gyung Bai Choi, Chief Director of JC Bitsomang Eye Clinic, explained that this was the reason for establishing the internal medicine department.
JC Bitsomang Eye Clinic has served as a designated contracted medical institution for veterans for eight years. Veteran patients account for approximately one-quarter of all patients treated at the clinic.
The clinic’s newly expanded facility occupies approximately 1,000 pyeong, or about 3,300 square meters, in a space that was formerly used as a wedding hall. The internal medicine department and health screening center occupy roughly half of the facility.
“The internal medicine department has been open for only two months, so it is not yet profitable. It currently sees approximately 20 to 30 patients. However, patients have responded very positively because we also provide health screenings. Many of our veteran patients are older, and they tell us that receiving both services in one place is convenient.”
Dr. Choi developed the internal medicine and health screening center with advice from a friend who operates a similar center in Chungju. He plans to hire additional specialists after reviewing its future operations.
“There are limits to managing autoimmune diseases through ophthalmology alone,” he said. “Treatment outcomes can be improved when ophthalmologists consult with internal medicine physicians and establish a coordinated care system.”
In the long term, he expects the clinic to provide ongoing management of chronic conditions such as diabetes alongside ophthalmic care.
“When diabetes has persisted for more than 15 years, complications develop in approximately 80 percent of patients, and ophthalmic complications cannot be overlooked,” Dr. Choi explained. “However, patients with chronic diseases tend to continue visiting a regular clinic, so it will take time for us to establish comprehensive chronic disease management.”
Nevertheless, he expressed confidence that “if the internal medicine department becomes firmly established, this could develop into a new model for private clinics.”
Dr. Choi’s goals do not end there. He is also preparing for the clinic’s development into a specialized ophthalmic hospital.
The clinic already has facilities and clinical capabilities comparable to or exceeding those of many university hospital ophthalmology departments.
It performed more than 5,000 cataract surgeries in the previous year and also conducts complex procedures for conditions including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and lacrimal disorders.
“Under the relevant requirements, a clinic cannot be designated as a specialized hospital when entertainment establishments operate in the same building,” he said. “Unfortunately, there are two such establishments in our newly expanded building, making it difficult to apply for specialized hospital designation.”
He added, “My goal is to establish an ophthalmic hospital of at least ten stories. In other words, this location is not our final destination.”
Main Text Shown in the Photographs
Internal Medicine & Medical Examination Center
Basic Testing Center
Departments: Ophthalmology and Internal Medicine / Health Screenings
[Source: Medical Times]
[Original Article] https://www.medicaltimes.com/Main/News/NewsView.html?ID=1112087
