Thyroid Center

The Thyroid Center specializes in endocrinology, endocrine surgery, head & neck surgery of otorhinolaryngology, radiology, pathology, nuclear medicine, and radiation oncology. Annually, our staff collaborates on over 2,000 thyroid surgeries, over 50,000 outpatient care, and over 23,000 ultrasounds.

Major areas of treatment

Thyroid cancer, thyroid dysfunction and other thyroid diseases

Strengths

  • We employ a collaborative care system called the "Thyroid Nodule Clinic", which provides one-stop service allowing patients to go through all the necessary examinations in one day. This clinic, open every Tuesday, includes specialists in endocrinology, endocrine surgery and head & neck surgery of otorhinolaryngology. Patients who have been referred here can make appointments through the Samsung Referral Center. With this expedited system, patients can complete ultrasound-assisted fine needle aspiration cytology, a thyroid scan and a blood test, all on the same day.
  • We routinely perform oncogene analysis including BRAF and RET mutation tests to enhance the accuracy of the diagnosis of thyroid cancer.
  • Over the phone or in person, our dedicated coordination nurses in the Thyroid Center can assist patients who have questions about diagnosis and treatment procedures, including surgery and radioactive iodine treatment.

Recent clinical research

The Thyroid Center staff members have studied the oncogenes that cause and regulate thyroid cancer, analyzedits growth inhibition mechanisms, and adopted new methods of diagnosis and treatment.

Other resources

We hold regular meetings to discuss problematic cases and to strategize about the best approach to care. Since 2011, we have performed surgeries on Saturdays as well as weekdays to minimize patient waiting periods. A best-in-class clinic in Korea, our Thyroid Center is committed to enhancing the accuracy and speed of our medical service.

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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.