Healthc Inform Res.  2015 Oct;21(4):244-250. 10.4258/hir.2015.21.4.244.

Current Clinical Status of Telehealth in Korea: Categories, Scientific Basis, and Obstacles

• Kim HS
• Kim H
• Lee S
• Lee KH
• Kim JH

• KMID: 2166873
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2015.21.4.244

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Through telehealth, medical services have expanded beyond spatial boundaries and are now available in living spaces outside of hospitals. It can also contribute to patient medical knowledge improvement because patients can access their hospital records and data from home. However, concepts of telehealth are rather vague in Korea.
METHODS
We refer to several clinical reports to determine the current clinical status of and obstacles to telehealth in Korea.
RESULTS
Patients' health conditions are now reported regularly to doctors remotely, and patients can receive varied assistance. Self-improvement based on minute details that are beyond medical staff's reach is another possible benefit that may be realized with the help of a variety of medical equipment (sensors). The feasibility, clinical effect, and cost-benefit of telehealth have been verified by scientific evidence.
CONCLUSIONS
Patients will be able to improve their treatment adherence by receiving help from various professionals, such as doctors, nurses, nutritionists, and sports therapists. This means that the actual treatment time per patient will increase as well. Ultimately, this will increase the quality of patients' self-administration of care to impede disease progression and prevent complications.

Keyword

Telemedicine; Telecommunications; Remote Consultation

MeSH Terms

Disease Progression
Hospital Records
Humans
Korea*
Nutritionists
Remote Consultation
Sports
Telecommunications
Telemedicine*

Figure

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  Figure 1 A telemedicine scheme. Me dical staff diagnose, prescribe, assess problems, and recommend treatments to their patients based on data from a long distance.

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  Figure 2 A telemonitoring scheme. Medical team uses the data measured by individuals to provide medical services for their patients.

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