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J Korean Med Assoc > Volume 52(12); 2009 > Article
Ryu, Lee, and Kim: Current State of u-Health and Its Developmental Strategies in Korea

Abstract

u-Health based on ubiquitous information and communication network is being considered as an alternative to the mainstream face-to-face healthcare services in addition to its supportive functions. Traditional healthcare system has inherent problems such as limited accessibility and inadequate fulfillment of service needs to the underserved populations. Proponents of u-Health suggest that it will provide solutions to those problems. There have been many trials and pilot projects for telemedicine since 1988 in Korea, and the system is now called "u-Health". After legislation of clause regarding telehealth in the Korean medical law in 2002, local governments have made several attempts to utilize u-Health system to the patients with chronic disease living in rural under-served area. Recently, Korean government has implemented u-Health trial projects about tehemedicine, monitoring chronic disease, and providing homecare in the three underserved rural and many-islands area. Patients' perceived level of satisfaction, preference, attitude, and usability of u-Health was significantly high. Patient's compliance to u-Health has improved over time. A strategic approach based on the innovative and proactive mindset to the u-Health is strongly needed. At the time of u-Health implementation in the medically underserved area, utilization of both u-Health center and mobile clinic is recommended to achieve operational efficiency, and ensure high quality of service. Although u-Health is effective and supportive method to the mainstream face-to-face healthcare, we should be cautious, since u-Health model needs more development and more rigorous experiments.

References

1. Ryu S, Cho JG, Song TM, Lee S, Kang E, Chang W, Rhee HS, Ahn M, Lee K. Enhancing acceptance of telehealth for the public sector 2005;Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

2. Kim T. A survey study for measuring the health and welfare levels of non-urban residents 2008;Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs.

3. Lee Y, Park J, Park D, Ryu S. Comprehensive evaluation of u-Health trial project 2008;Korea Health Industry Development Institute.

4. Lee JY. Trial projects of u-Health in Korea: Trends and implications. Information & Communication Policy 2008;20:25-44.

5. Kwon SM. Adoption of u-Health in public sector. Information & Communication Policy 2006;18:19-45.

6. Chung B. Medicine, healthcare, and business trend in the ubiquitous society 2006;National Information Society Agency.

7. Jennett PA, Hall LA, Hailey D, Ohinmaa A, Anderson C, Thomas R, Young B, Lorenzetti D, Scott RE. The socioeconomic impact of telehealth: A systematic review. Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare 2003;9:311-320.

8. Kim KH, Lee MO, Lee JG, Ryu S. Compliance of hypertensive patients registered in primary health care posts implementing the Gangwon telemedicine service system. Journal of the Korean Society of Health Information and Health Statistics 2008;33:59-76.

Table 1
Compliance score before and after the telehealth
jkma-52-1141-i001-l.jpg
Table 2
Patients' Evaluation of the Telehealth
jkma-52-1141-i002-l.jpg
Table 3
Medication compliance by enrolled period of time
jkma-52-1141-i003-l.jpg
Table 4
Control effect after telehealth service
jkma-52-1141-i004-l.jpg
Table 5
The results of telehealth service effect
jkma-52-1141-i005-l.jpg


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