Towards Telemedicine Adoption in Korea: 10 Practical Recommendations for Physicians

• Published in: Journal of Korean medical science Vol. 36; no. 17; p. e103
• Main Author: Kim, Hun Sung
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korea (South) The Korean Academy of Medical Sciences 03.05.2021; 대한의학회
• Subjects: Continuity of Patient Care; COVID-19 - epidemiology; Critical Pathways; Equipment and Supplies; Humans; Intersectoral Collaboration; Patient Care Team; Physicians; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Republic of Korea - epidemiology; Review; SARS-CoV-2; Telemedicine; 의학일반; Republic of Korea; COVID-19; Information Science; Telecommunications; Telemedicine; Delivery of Health Care
• ISSN: 1011-8934; 1598-6357
• DOI: 10.3346/jkms.2021.36.e103

Due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, consultation and prescription via telemedicine were temporarily allowed in the Korean population. However, at this point, it is difficult to determine whether telemedicine fulfills its role as a health care strategy. Arguably, if we had enough previous experience with telemedicine or sufficient preparation for its application, telemedicine could be more smoothly and flexibly adopted in the medical field. As it is still not possible to predict when the COVID-19 pandemic will end, phone consultation and prescription are likely to continue for some time. Hence, it is expected that telemedicine will naturally settle in the medical field in the near future. However, as we have noticed during this outbreak, improvised telemedicine without adequate guidance can be confusing to both patients and health professionals, thus reducing the benefit to patients. Medical staff requires preparation on how to appropriately use telemedicine. Thus, here we present some suggestions on implementing and preparing for telemedicine in the medical community.