A Survey on Current Status of Computerization of Physician Office Practice in Korea

Yu, Seungyong; Yoo, Seungyoon; Min, Wonki

Abstract

The extent of utilization of computers at clinics (physicians'office) setting in Korea has not yet been studied. Lack of such information hinders developing effective strategic plans for implementing Information and Communication Technology(ICT) to physicians office practice. Therefore this study was conducted to elucidate current status of computer use in physicians office practice. A mail survey was carried out to randomly selected 2,000 members of Korean Medical Association and 26.3% responded. The results showed that percent of clinics currently using computers and internet for the clinical practice was 98.0% and 85.2%, respectively. With recent gain of popularity in using computers and internet in public, more than 50% of respondents thought that transmission of sensitive medical information through internet was acceptable. Ninety six percent of respondents utilized computerized health insurance claims and electronic medical record system. However, 36.3% of respondents was keeping paper form patients medical records in addition to the computerized records to meet regulatory requirements. Overall, this study seems to indicate that physicians in practice show a strong interest in computerization, although the adaption of ICT in the field of medicine is relatively slow. In conclusion, physicians office practice can be a potential area for future ICT application.