‘A doctor renowned for curing illness well.’ That is the dictionary definition of a master physician. The standards for a master physician can change with the times and circumstances, and today many doctors are making the world healthier not only through clinical experience and skill but also through volunteer work, research, entrepreneurship and other activities. While university hospitals focus on serious diseases and highly complex treatments, primary and secondary hospitals are the first gateway to protecting everyday health. Through its ‘The Doctor : Master Physician Report’ column, Health Kyunghyang introduces master physicians, at university hospitals as well as primary and secondary hospitals, who have quietly devoted themselves to their specialties or who practice a principled medical philosophy through diverse activities beyond the consultation room, selected on the basis of ▲expertise in their clinical field ▲evidence-based principles of care ▲patient communication and contribution to the local community. This edition features Dr. Son Tae-il of the Department of Surgery at Shihwa Medical Center. <Editor’s note>Dr. Son Tae-il’s career pathDr. Son graduated from Yonsei University College of Medicine and earned a master’s degree from its graduate school. After completing his residency in the Department of Surgery at Yonsei University College of Medicine, he built his expertise as a clinical fellow in upper gastrointestinal surgery. He then served as an assistant professor in the Department of Surgery at Eulji University School of Medicine and as an assistant professor of gastrointestinal surgery in the Department of Surgery at Yonsei University College of Medicine, and he now sees patients at Shihwa Medical Center.His areas of specialty include gastrointestinal diseases such as gastric cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), gastroesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia, as well as bariatric and metabolic surgery and benign abdominal conditions such as gallbladder disease and hernias. He is also a full member of the Korean Gastric Cancer Association, the Korean Laparoendoscopic Gastrointestinal Surgery Study Group (KLASS), the Korean Association of Robotic Surgeons (KAROS) and the Korean Society of Surgical Oncology.“I thought of a surgeon as someone who puts what they have learned into practice with their own hands to solve a patient’s problem. To me, that looked exactly like a ‘problem solver.’”Dr. Son dreamed of becoming a surgeon from his days as a medical student. From the start, he had a vague but clear wish to work in essential medicine, and he was drawn to the sight of his mentors and senior colleagues solving patients’ problems directly through surgery. Having often been told he was good with his hands also encouraged him to choose surgery. In particular, because surgery played a major role in gastric cancer treatment at the time, he chose gastrointestinal surgery as his specialty, believing it was where he could best fulfill his role as a ‘problem solver.’After many years operating on gastric cancer patients at university hospitals, he is now walking a new path at Shihwa Medical Center, a regional hospital.“A surgeon never operates alone,” Dr. Son said. “Shihwa Medical Center has excellent medical staff and systems to operate alongside, so I judged that I could fully apply the clinical experience I built at university hospitals.” Another reason for his choice, he said, was that whereas university hospitals required him to balance research and teaching with patient care, a regional hospital would allow him to focus more on treating patients and devote himself to them.Dr. Son joined Shihwa Medical Center in September this year. Although he says he is still settling in after just over a month, his leadership on the front line clearly reveals a surgeon who is every bit a problem solver. ■More important than the technique: ‘What is safest for the patient?’Gastric cancer is a cancer for which treatment guidelines and the appropriate extent of surgery are relatively well standardized. For this reason, Dr. Son places greater importance on how faithfully the established principles are followed and how safely surgery is performed without complications than on new surgical techniques themselves.The surgical environment has changed dramatically. Dr. Son belongs to a generation that learned both open and laparoscopic surgery. Minimally invasive approaches such as laparoscopic and robotic surgery have recently become a mainstay of gastric cancer surgery, but his firm rule is that the latest technique is not the best for every patient.“Just because laparoscopic surgery is the trend does not mean it is right to insist on it,” Dr. Son said. “For some patients, a long anesthesia time is a burden, or open surgery is more suitable because of their surgical history.”In the end, he says, the safest method for each patient must be chosen by considering age, overall health, comorbidities and surgical history. He approaches every operation with the ultimate goal of minimizing postoperative complications so that patients can once again enjoy a good quality of life.■Is removing the cancer the end? Looking ahead to ‘eating after surgery’What he pays particular attention to is ‘reconstruction.’ Gastric cancer surgery does not simply remove the visible lesion. Taking into account the possibility that cancer cells have spread to surrounding areas, 60 to 70 percent of the stomach is removed. How the gastrointestinal tract is reconnected after surgery therefore affects the patient’s eating and daily life.Accordingly, Dr. Son gives as much thought to the reconstruction method that properly connects the remaining stomach and intestine as he does to removing the cancer safely. This stems from his belief that the goal is not merely for patients to get through surgery but for them to eat with as little discomfort as possible and return to their normal daily lives.“When a patient complains of discomfort eating after surgery, I always ask myself whether a different reconstruction method might have been a little better,” he said. “Rather than promoting a particular surgical technique, I focus on paying close attention to reconstruction so that patients can return to an ordinary daily life.”In the operating room, he treats ‘composure’ as his most important principle, because rushing to resolve an unexpected situation can make it worse. Before surgery, he reviews imaging with the assisting medical staff to thoroughly understand the patient’s vascular structure and prepare for anticipated variables.Eating is where patients feel the greatest change after gastric cancer surgery. Dr. Son takes special care with the reconstruction process that connects the stomach and intestine so that patients can eat as comfortably as possible after surgery. ■“Explaining thoroughly, even if it takes long”: medicine for patients and their familiesOutside the operating room, what Dr. Son values most is ‘explanation.’ He devotes so much time to explaining in the consultation room that patients and their families sometimes say he “talks too long.” Because a cancer diagnosis alone causes great anxiety, he believes patients must fully understand their condition and why a given treatment is needed.When giving important explanations, he asks that family members listen as well whenever possible. He explains the treatment process and expected outcomes in detail using objective figures, and reassures patients by drawing on Korea’s gastric cancer treatment outcomes.“People listen carefully to an expert’s explanation even when signing up for insurance or a savings plan, so shouldn’t patients facing surgery hear an even more detailed explanation?” Dr. Son said. “Hearing a lot of information may feel unsettling at first, but I believe a thorough explanation ultimately becomes medicine for the patient.”This philosophy has been strengthened by the patients he remembers. Rather than those whose treatment went smoothly, he says, it is the patients who endured difficult times with him who stay in his memory the longest.“I especially remember a patient who had to undergo chemotherapy after surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic. The patient was so anxious about infection that they were reluctant even to go outside, but they endured surgery and chemotherapy well and, after five years, were finally declared cured.”“It is especially rewarding to see patients who struggled during treatment become healthy over time,” Dr. Son said. “I feel a great sense of fulfillment when they recognize the efforts of the medical team who did their best throughout the process and say thank you.”Dr. Son explains things in such detail that patients and their families say he talks a lot. He believes that although it may feel unsettling and frightening at first, a thorough explanation becomes both the driving force and the medicine that carries patients through their treatment journey.■University hospital experience, now in the community: “A doctor who is close by when needed”Many patients still think first of large hospitals in Seoul when diagnosed with cancer. However, Dr. Son emphasizes that if a regional hospital has sufficient specialists and a collaborative care system, receiving prompt treatment close to home is a great advantage for patients.Gastric cancer treatment, too, cannot be completed by a surgeon alone. It requires close collaboration among multiple departments, including gastroenterology, medical oncology and radiology. “Because Shihwa Medical Center has this kind of multidisciplinary system, I judged that I could fully apply the experience I built at university hospitals in the community as well,” Dr. Son said, stressing that he has no regrets about his choice.He has also set a goal of further expanding treatment options. If robotic surgery becomes possible in the future, building on the current system, he believes he could offer a wider range of treatments depending on each patient’s condition.What does Dr. Son consider the qualities of a good surgeon? Above all, he named ‘surgical skill’ and ‘being there when needed.’“A surgeon should, of course, be good at surgery. But it is also important to be close by and able to respond immediately when a patient needs you. Patients don’t have to remember me. But if I am remembered as a doctor who explained thoroughly and treated them with sincerity, a ‘problem solver’ who was there when needed, I think I would be satisfied.”His ultimate goal is not grand either: to fulfill his role as a surgeon at his patients’ side.“In the end, I believe my duty is to do my best where I have chosen to be. As long as my stamina allows, I want to be a surgeon who keeps operating on the front line for a long time.”■FAQQ1. What are Dr. Son Tae-il’s areas of specialty?A. Gastrointestinal diseases including gastric cancer, gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), gastroesophageal reflux and hiatal hernia, as well as bariatric and metabolic surgery and benign abdominal conditions such as gallbladder disease and hernias.Q2. Is laparoscopic or robotic surgery always the best option for gastric cancer?A. Not necessarily. For some patients, a long anesthesia time is a burden, or open surgery is more suitable because of their surgical history, so it is important to choose the safest method by considering age, overall health, comorbidities and surgical history.Q3. Can eating become uncomfortable after gastric cancer surgery?A. Because gastric cancer surgery removes 60 to 70 percent of the stomach, how the remaining stomach and intestine are reconnected (reconstruction) affects eating and daily life. That is why the reconstruction method is carefully considered so that patients can eat as comfortably as possible after surgery.

"Đọc sách trong bóng tối sẽ làm hại thị lực" là câu hầu như ai cũng từng nghe khi còn nhỏ. Nhưng điều này không đúng với sự thật.■Đọc sách trong ánh sáng yếu ảnh hưởng đến thị lực thế nào?Độ sáng xung quanh khi đọc sách không ảnh hưởng nhiều đến thị lực. Cảm giác thị lực giảm sút thực chất là do các cơ quanh mắt căng thẳng và mỏi mệt khi đọc trong ánh sáng yếu.■Rủi ro thực sự đến từ thiết bị điện tửTuy nhiên, nếu trong bóng tối sử dụng thiết bị điện tử tự phát sáng như điện thoại thông minh thay vì sách, thị lực có thể thực sự bị suy giảm. Nguyên nhân là một số bước sóng phát ra từ thiết bị điện tử có thể gây tổn thương tế bào võng mạc.

"在昏暗处看书会让视力变差"，这句话几乎每个人小时候都听过，但事实并非如此。■昏暗处看书，对视力影响有多大？看书时周围环境的亮度对视力并没有太大影响。之所以会感觉视力下降，是因为在昏暗处看书时眼周肌肉持续紧张，疲劳度随之升高。■真正的风险来自电子设备不过，若在昏暗处使用的不是书本，而是智能手机等自发光的电子设备，则可能真的损害视力。因为电子设备发出的部分波长会对视网膜细胞造成损伤。

"Reading in the dark will ruin your eyesight" is something almost everyone heard as a kid. But it isn't actually true.■ Does Reading in Dim Light Affect Your Eyesight?The brightness of your surroundings while reading a book doesn't have a major effect on eyesight. That feeling of your vision worsening comes from the muscles around your eyes tensing up and tiring out when you read in dim light.■ The Real Risk Is Self-Lit ScreensThat said, using a self-luminous electronic device — like a smartphone — instead of a book in the dark can actually harm your eyesight. Certain wavelengths emitted by electronic devices can damage retinal cells.FAQQ. Does reading a book in dim light damage your eyesight?A. Not significantly. Reading in low light causes the eye muscles to tense and tire, which feels like blurred vision, but it doesn't meaningfully harm eyesight itself.Q. Is using a phone in the dark different from reading a book in the dark?A. Yes. Self-luminous screens like smartphones emit wavelengths that can damage retinal cells, which is different from the eye strain caused by reading a printed book in dim light.Q. What actually causes the eye strain felt when reading in the dark?A. Tension and fatigue in the muscles around the eyes as they work harder to focus in low light, not permanent damage to eyesight.

Vibrant Seoul with Global TogethernessBetter TogetherSeoul Culture &Wellness FestivalTake Care of Your Healthand Enjoy Global Cultures!See you on October 9at DDP Oullim Square!Hosted bySeoul Foreign Resident CenterOrganized byK-Health MediaSupported bySeoul Metropolitan Government01 | A Diverse Seoul, United as OneA culture and wellness festivalwhere both international residentsand locals come together beyondnationalities and cultures.This fall, take care of your healthand experience a world of cultures!October 9 (Thu)1:30 PM – 5:00 PMDDP Oullim Square(Dongdaemun Design Plaza)Let’s come together to createa more vibrant Seoul!02 | Four ExperiencesDiscover, enjoy, and feel Seoul’s charmthrough four special zones!K-Beauty ZoneEnjoy various beauty experiencesand a photo booth.K-Health ZoneCheck your health througha national fitness challengeand basic health screenings.K-Culture ZoneExperience Korea’straditional culture firsthand.World Culture ZoneDiscover the diverse culturesof countries around the world.Different experiences for everyone!03 | Enjoy K-Beauty and Check Your Health!K-Beauty ZoneEnjoy various beauty experiencesand a photo booth.K-Health ZoneCheck your health througha national fitness challengeand basic health screenings.Fun experiences and health care at once!04 | From Korean Culture to World Cultures All in One PlaceK-Culture ZoneExperience Korea’straditional culture firsthand.World Culture ZoneDiscover the diverse culturesof countries around the world.Experience different culturesand broaden your understandingof the world!05 | Exciting Stage Performances!It’s not just about the experience zones!A variety of performances will light upthe stage and add to the festival’s energy.Gayageum PerformanceK-POP PerformanceTaekwondo PerformanceShuffle Dance PerformanceWatch, enjoy, and feelthe excitement of the festival together!06 | Consultation Services for Foreign ResidentsIf you have any questions,please visit the Information Zone!Information ZoneWe provide general event informationas well as consultation services forforeign residents.Enjoy the festivaland get useful informationfor your daily life!07 | Pre-Register for Special Gifts!Scan the QR code on the poster topre-register for the event.Pre-RegistrationThe first 100 pre-registrantswill receive a special gift!Don’t miss this special opportunityto be part of the festival!Pre-register now andenjoy even more at the festival!

수정삭제 주소복사건강도 챙기고 세계문화도 즐기고!제2회 서울 다함께 어울림 한마당10월 9일, DDP 어울림광장에서 만나요!다양성이 어울려, 하나 되는 서울국적과 문화를 넘어내외국인이 함께 어울리는 건강·문화 축제가 열립니다.올가을, 건강도 챙기고다양한 세계문화도 경험해보세요!제2회 서울 다함께 어울림 한마당10월 9일⏰ 오후 1시 30분~5시동대문디자인플라자(DDP) 어울림광장즐길거리 가득! 4色 체험존보고, 즐기고, 직접 체험하는다채로운 프로그램이 한자리에!K-뷰티존K-헬스존K-컬처존세계문화존관심 있는 체험존을 찾아축제를 마음껏 즐겨보세요!K-뷰티도 즐기고 건강도 체크!K-뷰티존에서는다양한 뷰티 체험과 포토부스를 즐길 수 있습니다.K-헬스존에서는국민체력장과 기초건강측정을 통해내 건강상태도 살펴볼 수 있습니다.즐거운 체험과 건강관리를 한 번에!한국문화부터 세계문화까지 한자리에서K-컬처존에서는우리나라의 전통문화를 직접 체험하고,세계문화존에서는여러 나라의 다양한 문화를 만나볼 수 있습니다.서로 다른 문화를 경험하며이해의 폭을 넓혀보세요!눈과 귀가 즐거운 무대공연까지!체험만 있다고 생각하면 섭섭하죠!무대에서는 축제의 흥을 더해줄다채로운 공연이 펼쳐집니다.가야금 공연K-POP 공연태권도 공연셔플댄스 공연함께 보고 즐기며축제의 열기를 느껴보세요!외국인주민 생활상담도 받아보세요궁금한 점이 있다면운영안내존을 찾아주세요!행사에 대한 전반적인 안내는 물론외국인주민을 위한 생활상담도 제공됩니다.축제를 즐기면서필요한 생활정보도 확인하세요.사전신청하고 특별한 선물까지!행사 참여를 원한다면포스터에 있는 QR코드로 사전신청해주세요.사전신청 후 행사에 참여한 분 중선착순 100명에게 특별한 선물을 드립니다!건강과 문화가 어우러지는 특별한 하루,10월 9일 DDP 어울림광장에서 함께하세요!주최 서울외국인주민센터주관 케이헬스 미디어(K-Health Media)후원 서울특별시

Từ 13h30 đến 17h ngày 9/10, ngày hội Seoul cùng nhau hòa nhập lần thứ 2 sẽ được tổ chức tại quảng trường Oulim, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).Giữa mùa thu, một lễ hội sức khỏe và văn hóa vượt qua ranh giới quốc tịch và văn hóa, nơi người Hàn Quốc và người nước ngoài cùng hòa nhịp, sẽ chính thức khai mạc.Từ 13h30 đến 17h ngày 9/10, ngày hội Seoul cùng nhau hòa nhập lần thứ 2 sẽ được tổ chức tại quảng trường Oulim, Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP).■ Trung tâm cư dân nước ngoài Seoul chủ trì, K-health Media tổ chứcSự kiện do trung tâm cư dân nước ngoài Seoul chủ trì và K-Health Media tổ chức, với khẩu hiệu "Đa dạng hòa hợp, một Seoul thống nhất", là nơi người Hàn Quốc và người nước ngoài cùng hội tụ để giao lưu các nội dung về sức khỏe và văn hóa. Sự kiện được kỳ vọng sẽ là dịp để chăm sóc sức khỏe, trải nghiệm nhiều nền văn hóa và thấu hiểu lẫn nhau.■ Từ K-Beauty đến văn hóa thế giới, đa dạng không gian trải nghiệmNăm nay, sự kiện đặc biệt có nhiều không gian trải nghiệm như khu K-Beauty, khu K-Health, khu K-Culture và khu văn hóa thế giới. Tại khu K-Beauty, du khách có thể tham gia trải nghiệm làm đẹp và chụp ảnh tại photo booth. Tại khu K-Health, du khách có thể kiểm tra tình trạng sức khỏe của mình thông qua chương trình kiểm tra thể lực quốc gia và đo chỉ số sức khỏe cơ bản.Tại khu K-Culture, du khách có thể trực tiếp trải nghiệm văn hóa truyền thống Hàn Quốc, còn tại khu văn hóa thế giới, du khách có thể khám phá văn hóa của nhiều quốc gia. Khu vực thông tin cung cấp thông tin chung về sự kiện và tư vấn đời sống cho cư dân nước ngoài. Trên sân khấu, các tiết mục gayageum, K-pop, taekwondo và nhảy shuffle sẽ góp phần làm lễ hội thêm sôi động.■ Quà tặng đặc biệt cho 100 người đăng ký trước đầu tiênNgười muốn tham gia có thể đăng ký trước qua mã QR trên poster sự kiện. 100 người đầu tiên đã đăng ký trước và tham dự sự kiện sẽ nhận được quà tặng đặc biệt.Bên cạnh đó, chính quyền thành phố Seoul tham gia với vai trò nhà tài trợ của sự kiện.

10月9日下午1点30分至5点，第二届"首尔全民共融庆典"将在东大门设计广场（DDP）Oullim广场举行。金秋时节，一场跨越国籍与文化、由韩国国民与外籍居民共同参与的健康文化盛会即将拉开帷幕。10月9日下午1点30分至5点，第二届"首尔全民共融庆典"将在东大门设计广场（DDP）Oullim广场举行。■ 首尔外国居民中心主办、K-Health Media承办本次活动由首尔外国居民中心主办、K-Health Media承办，以"多元共融，同一个首尔"为口号，让韩国国民与外籍居民齐聚一堂，交流健康与文化内容。活动有望成为关注健康、体验多元文化、增进彼此理解的时光。■ 从K-美容到世界文化，丰富多彩的体验空间今年活动特别设置了K-美容区、K-健康区、K-文化区、世界文化区等多种体验空间。在K-美容区，访客可以享受美容体验和拍照打卡区；在K-健康区，可通过国民体力测定和基础健康检测了解自身健康状况。在K-文化区，访客可以亲身体验韩国传统文化；在世界文化区，则可以领略多个国家的文化。运营咨询区提供活动相关的综合咨询以及外国居民生活咨询服务。舞台上还将上演伽倻琴、K-POP、跆拳道和曳步舞表演，为活动增添节日气氛。■ 提前报名并参加活动，前100名可获赠礼品有意参加者可通过海报上的二维码提前报名。提前报名并参加活动的访客中，前100名将获赠特别礼品。此外，本次活动由首尔特别市提供赞助。