Towards Telemedicine Adoption in Korea: 10 Practical Recommendations for Physicians

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Public Health
• Healthcare Policy

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to the temporary allowance of telemedicine, including remote consultation and prescription, in Korea.
• The long-term effectiveness of telemedicine as a healthcare strategy remains undetermined.
• The pandemic's unpredictable duration suggests continued reliance on phone consultations and prescriptions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the role of telemedicine in healthcare.
• To provide suggestions for the implementation and preparation of telemedicine in the medical community.
• To address challenges faced by patients and healthcare professionals due to improvised telemedicine.

Main Methods:

• Review of current telemedicine practices during the COVID-19 outbreak.
• Analysis of the benefits and drawbacks of temporary telemedicine policies.
• Formulation of recommendations based on observed challenges.

Main Results:

• Improvised telemedicine without proper guidance can cause confusion for patients and healthcare providers.
• Adequate preparation and guidance are crucial for successful telemedicine adoption.
• Telemedicine is expected to become a more integrated part of the medical field.

Conclusions:

• Effective telemedicine implementation requires preparation and clear guidelines for medical staff.
• Addressing the challenges of improvised telemedicine is essential to maximize patient benefits.
• Telemedicine has the potential to become a sustainable healthcare solution with proper integration.