The average monthly revenue of local dermatology clinics rose at the fastest pace among medical institutions last year, according to a state health research panel.

According to a report released by the Korea Health Industry Development Institute, the earnings of dermatology treatment centers last year rose by 5.6 percent from the previous year. The medical facilities, which also offer cosmetic procedures, made an average monthly revenue of 21.2 million won ($21,000).

Ophthalmology and pediatric clinics saw their monthly revenue go down in 2013 from the previous year. While the average earnings of ophthalmology centers declined by 2.9 percent, the figure for pediatric clinics dropped by 2.2 percent.

Despite the increase in revenue in the dermatology sector, local orthopedic treatment centers topped the revenue rankings, making around 67.2 million won in revenue on average per month. Ophthalmology clinics and internal medicine clinics ranked second and third, making 58.6 million won and 37.7 million won, respectively.

“It is necessary to do follow-up research on why dermatology clinics are receiving more patients,” said Park Jae-san from the research panel. “General hospitals release reports about (their revenue) every year, but there is no data for small medical clinics. There should be a (separate) report for the clinics as well.”

Last year, the number of foreign patients climbed by 37 percent from the year before. Chinese patients brought the most money into Korea’s medical industry, spending some 101.6 billion won.

Most of the patients from China visited cosmetic surgeons and dermatologists here, according to the Ministry of Health and Welfare.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)