National Disaster Medical Systems in the United States and Korea

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to suggest policy implications after identifying similarities and differences between the National Disaster Medical Systems (NDMSs) in the United States and those in Korea, with the ultimate goal of contributing to emergency management in both countries. The major tenet of the paper is that Korean hospitals should know the importance of their location and distance from the airports, and the U.S. government needs to let its non-residents acquire knowledge through adequate training. At the same time, the Korean government must manage the NDMS with a clearer national perspective, get more people involved in helping community activities, and establish a substantial reimbursement system in the NDMS, just as in the U.S.