The Korean Hospital Association (KHA), an interest group that represents local hospitals and their medical doctors, Thursday announced conditional endorsement to the introduction of telemedicine, an area that remains restricted in South Korea despite the country’s IT prowess due to strong opposition from doctors community.

The Korean government has tried to introduce telemedicine with a series of pilot projects, but full implementation remains scuttled in the face of protests from some civic groups and individual practitioners under another leading medical interest group Korean Medical Association (KMA). Opponents argue telemedicine would only bring benefits to big-name hospitals as patients will likely seek out doctors with recognition and of big establishments.

The KHA pointed out telemedicine was irreversible global trend and serves to the convenience of health service users and protection of public health especially in the COVID-19 pandemic.

It listed three preconditions and five proposals must be considered for the introduction and discussion of telemedicine. Those preconditions are face-to-face caring for first-time patients, appropriate selection of target diseases for telemedicine, and prevention of patient concentration into specific hospitals.

KHA has about 60,000 member doctors, about 60 percent of the country’s doctor license holders, whereas most of some 40,000 KMA members are mostly clinic owners and individual practitioners.

Kim Yeon-soo, head of Seoul National University Hospital and deputy chairman of the KHA, said telemedicine will be a new normal, adding both doctors and patients were highly satisfied with non-face-to-face care practice including remote monitoring at SNUH’s care center in Moonkyung, Gyeongbuk.

By Lee Byung-moon and Minu Kim

[ⓒ Pulse by Maeil Business Newspaper & mk.co.kr, All rights reserved]