South Korea’s ambivalence towards telemedicine

 10-Aug-16, Telehealth & Telecare Aware

5.8 mn South Koreans aren’t exactly tech-phobic, enjoying a nationally swift internet backbone and high personal smartphone penetration. South Korea also has the need–an aging population living in rural areas.

Image: Business Korea

Yet South Korea bans doctor-patient virtual visits in its Medical Act, and expects major demonstrations by doctors and activists when it comes up for a vote later this year in the National Assembly.

Medical professionals, including the 100,000 doctors in the KMA who successfully blocked telemedicine in 2014 and haven’t participated in the pilot program, are calling for “a slower, more collaborative plan of attack that establishes safety protocols and smart regulatory oversight.”

Telemedicine and also telehealth may happen eventually, but will have to take into consideration some unique circumstances.

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