Gastrointestinal Surgery Faculty / Medical Staff >

In the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery at the Samsung Medical Center, we perform accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for gastrointestinal disorders, and all the medical personnel do their utmost to provide the best medical service possible.

Major areas of treatment / Clinics

The Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery offers world-class surgical treatment for diseases of the liver, biliary tract, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, colon, rectum and anal area. We provide diagnosis and treatment for hepato-pancreato-biliary diseases including hepatic cancer, gallbladder cancer, cholangiocarcinoma, ampulla of Vater cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gallstones; gastric diseases including benign and malignant tumors of the stomach; colorectal diseases including malignant tumors of the colon, rectum and anus; benign diseases (hemorrhoids, anal fistulas, and hernias); and inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis).

Strong points

We are introducing robotic surgery for the whole spectrum of gastrointestinal procedures including liver, colon, and stomach surgery, and expanding its application. Our laparoscopic skills have improved to become first-rate in the nation, and single incision laparoscopy, which had limited application to benign diseases such as acute appendicitis and cholecystitis in the past, is now being actively used for malignancies of the stomach and colon.
We have introduced a multi-disciplinary approach in an effort to see not only the disease, but also the whole human being as a target of treatment, and medical personnel from the relevant fields other than the department of surgery, including the Departments of Internal Medicine, Radiation Oncology, and Radiology, are actively participating in the treatment of patients. We have introduced face-to-face multi-disciplinary consultations that allow direct communication between the patient and medical personnel to provide more rapid and accurate medical care and increase patient satisfaction.
For the patients’ convenience, we have adopted and are running a fast-track program that allows diagnostic testing, checking of test results, and establishment of a treatment plan in just one day.
We apply standard treatment protocols (clinical pathways) to all inpatients to achieve standardization of treatment, fewer days of hospitalization, and reduction of medical costs.

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Patients' Rights and Responsibilities

Patients' Rights

1. Right to receive medical care

Patients have the right to receive proper care in a safe setting without discrimination nor should their right to care be violated regardless of their gender, age, religion, social status, nationality, language, race, or physical/mental/financial status. Medical teams shall not refuse to provide care without justifiable reason.

2. Right to be informed and to make an autonomous decision

Patients have the right to obtain full and complete information from their medical team, to ask questions, and to determine their agreement or refusal concerning: diagnosis, treatment (purpose, plans and methods), outcomes of care (including unanticipated outcomes), discharge plan, participation in medical research studies, organ transplantation/donation, etc. Within ethical boundaries, patients may discontinue or refuse treatment, request that the medical team explain and suggest alternative treatments, and reserve the right to make their own decisions.

3. Right to confidentiality

Patients' rights to confidentiality regarding their physical/health status and privacy will not be violated. Patients can expect that all medical records/reports and their personal privacy will be kept confidential unless the patient has given consent or disclosure is permitted by law. To ensure their privacy, patients may be informed that Individuals not directly involved in their care may not be present and that the number of guardians accompanying patients to consultation rooms may be limited.

4. Right to request consultation and mediation

In the event of a medical dispute, patients may request consultation and mediation from an internal or external agency (Korea Consumer Agency, Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency).

5. Right to have values and beliefs respected

Patients will not be discriminated against because of their culture, religious values, or beliefs, and their rights will not be violated.

6. Right to receive care in a safe setting

Patients have the right to receive hospital-provided care where the patient’s medical information is protected and patient safety can be assured. In addition, patients have the right to be protected from possible dangers that can occur in a hospital and to have stability of mind and body.

Patients' Responsibilities

1. Responsibility to trust and respect the medical team

Patients must accurately inform the medical team of their health condition and must trust and respect the medical team's treatment plan. Patients may be responsible for consequences that result from not following instructions.

2. Responsibility to not use dishonest methods for medical treatment

Patients must reveal their identity before receiving any medical care and must not use false or dishonest methods, such as seeking medical care under disguised ownership.

3. Responsibility to abide by all hospital regulations

Patients are expected to treat all hospital staff and other patients with courtesy and respect; to abide by all hospital rules; and to earnestly fulfill their financial obligation to the hospital. Also, patients and their family members are expected to participate in all safety regulations.