“Primary care-based remote medicine as a supplement"

Professor Hong Yun-chul at SNU Hospital “Limiting to primary care, establishing public-private collaborative digital healthcare”

Secretary General Jeong Ji-yeon of CUK “Remote medicine isn’t optional but necessary for patients”

Professor Hong Yun-chul at Seoul National University Hospital (left) and Secretary General Jeong Ji-yeon at Consumers Union of Korea

To respond against novel infectious disease like COVID-19 and super-aged society, experts claim the South Korean society should prepare for an introduction to digital healthcare and remote medicine.

 

In particular, the experts pointed out the remote medicine (non-contact medical care) would not replace the traditional medical care, but it should take root in the society as supplementary care for senior patients and other medically invulnerable community.

 

The experts added the remote medicine should be limited to local clinics practicing primary care to balance out efficiency and equality.

 

At a seminar convened at National Assembly Library on July 29, Professor Hong Yun-chul at Seoul National University Hospital and Secretary General Jeong Ji-yeon at Consumers Union of Korea (CUK) said the above while discussing about plans to strengthen local community primary care competency and digital healthcare.

 

Professor Hong and Secretary General Jeong giving a presentation argued a foundation to utilize digital healthcare and remote medicine in the society should be built.

 

Professor Hong stated COVID-19 and super-aged society have further extended the needs to bring digital healthcare into the social system.

 

While the people and the society are demanding new responsive strategy amid pandemic, the post-coronavirus medical strategy is becoming increasingly more relevant to the society.

 

Professor Hong named it the ‘Post-coronavirus Public-private Collaborative Medical System.’ The system aims to realize Smart medicine based on an integrated platform consisting of state university hospital, regional hospital, public healthcare center and local primary care provider.

 

The professor elaborated the public-private collaborative medical system can be activated by comprehensively utilizing digital healthcare technology in society and medical system and focusing remote medicine on primary care.

 

Professor Hong said, “Since the outbreak of COVID-19, we have actually been in the times of crucial societal changes.

 

The current society is experiencing a historic increase in senior citizens,” and “the society would struggle to support the senior patients in two decades time.

 

Basically, a system should be constructed for the digital healthcare to help senior citizens to maintain their good health.” The professor stated, “In the end, medical care in close enough proximity should be provided.

 

The role of a personal doctor in the center of primary care would be the key.” The professor added, “Remote medicine is a hot potato.

 

The entire competitive system would be faltered when remote medical practice in primary, secondary and tertiary healthcare institute is allowed; primary care providers cannot sustain the competition.” Professor Hong further explained, “Ultimately, the remote medicine should be supported by the government to be applied around local community primary care and utilize personal doctors for it,” and “face-to-face medical care is a principle that should not be shaken.

 

Remote medicine is merely a supplementary tool.” Secretary General Jeong urged the remote medicine should be introduced as a medical system that enhances convenience for the consumers.

 

Her point was healthcare consumer and providers should not blindly oppose against infection- preventive and beneficial remote medicine, but discuss where to put a safety tools in the system.

 

Secretary General Jeong was also against providing non-contact medical service from the beginning of the medical care.

 

She explained using remote medicine as a supplementary tool after a personal doctor sees a patient would be closer to the answer.

 

Secretary Jeong insisted sufficient discussion should be conducted regarding opposing opinion or criticism against remote medicine like commercialization of medical service, and the government should draw up a reasonable means to adopt the system.

 

The secretary general stated, “The remote medical service should be practiced for the consumers.

 

Already experiencing COVID-19, the non-contact industry is rapidly permeating through the society,” and “remote medicine is not optional, but necessary for the society.

 

But it should be a system to support the traditional medical service based on primary care.” Secretary General Jeong added, “Remote medicine should serve a role of completing the patient-centered medical service.

 

The success of primary care-based remote medicine would be only possible, when medical service consumers’ trust is prioritized,” and “also, the introduction of the remote medicine should be discussed from the perspective of improving access to medical service in the age of digitization and aged society.”