Introduction

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion

References

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of the study is to evaluate the current and prospective status of nursing in Korea and develop a strategic framework and plan to accommodate the increased demands on nurses in the changing health-care system.
Methods: This study used a mixed-methods approach including a literature review, an online survey with health-care consumers, expert panel interviews, and an analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to develop the strategic plans and framework.
Results: The vision of the strategic framework involved improving health and quality of life, and its mission was to elevate the status of Korea’s nursing sector as a key health-care profession through highquality and innovative nursing education, research, and practice. The five values in accordance with the mission and vision were innovation, creation, collaboration, excellence, and authenticity. Three strategic goals, namely, education, research, and practice, were identified, and 31 related strategic tasks were developed.
Conclusion: In response to the rising social demand for a paradigm shift in nursing care services, there is a need for advancements in nursing education, research, and practice in Korea. This study provide some recommendations to achieve these aims.

Introduction

Recent changes in demographics and advancements in life sciences and biotechnology are driving a transformation of the paradigm of health care and disease control. South Korea is expected to become a superaged society by 2040, with elderly persons making up 32.3% of its entire population [1], and the major leading causes of death are cancer, heart diseases, and cerebrovascular diseases [2]. Facing with aging society and chronicity of the disease in Korea, paradigm of health care has been shifting from cure to care, focusing on predictive, personalized, preventive, and participatory, which is known as “P4 medicine” [۳]. The emerging concept of P4 medicine was first introduced by Leroy Hood et al [4], Weston and Hood [5], and other pioneers of system medicine in 2004, and its importance has been continuously emphasized by the National Institutes of Health [6]. P4 medicine is a new way to approach the provision of health-care services [3], which will be “personalized” with the genetic information of each individual and “predictive” because the personalized information will allow to determine the risk of certain diseases for each individual. Furthermore, given the prediction of risks in human health, health care will be “preventive.” Future health care will also be “participatory,” as the participation of patients in sharing data, education, and decision-making on health-related issues will become more crucial in the health-care system. Technological advancements of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR), such as the Internet of Things, wearable devices, implantation, artificial intelligence, decision-making, and 3D printing, are predicted to break down the conventional boundaries of health care, expanding its scope to include antiaging, wellness, and health management [7]. The Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare has set out a policy agenda for 2017, aimed at promoting the growth of health-care industries and patient-centered medical services and strengthening universal health coverage and sustainability [8].