A Developmental Process of Telemedicine, e-Health & u-Health

Abstract

A s Information Technology has developed, there has been a birth of new medical fields including telemedicine, e-Health, and u-Health. The differences between the new terms resulted from renewed definitions with the development of technology. However, aside from the simple change in terminology medical services that use the terms has expanded along with the change in terminology. Currently most countries use telemedicine as a part of their healthcare system. As such, related devices and services have been slated to become a totally new industry. In Korea, due to the advances in IT, Increase in medically vulnerable and aging population, and increase in the number of patients with chronic disease, telemedicine has been widely used in public healthcare system. Several developmental attempts by public and private sectors have had limited success due to legal and institutional limitations but recent changes in medical law and movement to allow tele-diagnosis and treatment in the public sector has brought in a new era. Although development of telemedicine technology may be the key, it is even more important that the development in medical services models as well as their application be on the same track. Furthermore, from the clinical and academic standpoint, the aspects of safety, efficiency, and economic viability must be thoroughly tested and applied. Most importantly, active involvement from the medical community in development of new medical technology as well as new service models for diagnosis and treatment is required. The most advanced technology would be useless if it is not being actively utilized by the medical community in the treatment and management of patients.

Preference and Awareness of Telemedicine in Primary Care Patients

“…These factors have led to an introduction of telemedicine in demonstration projects found within developed countries, including Korea 4,6). From demonstration project, they were able to assess that telemedicine can offer both economic and time saving benefits to medical consumers, and provide them with great satisfaction 1). Since telemedicine in Korea is still at an early stage, in order for it to become a universal service, much time and effort will be needed to establish policy directions and social agreements 1,7-9).…”

“…It has many definitions, from a simple one involving a provision of medical information and services using telecommunication and information technology, to a more comprehensive definition as in usage of exchanged medical information through electronic networks to improve a patient's education, healthcare provider's education, and patient care. 1) …”

The Uses of the Smartphone for Doctors: An Empirical Study from Samsung Medical Center

“…Nonetheless, there are obstacles that must be addressed before smartphone apps can indeed help doctors and other clinicians make better clinical decisions. An example of such barriers is PACS: recently a plan to legally revitalize the use of mobile PACS has been proposed, but there still remain practical regulatory barriers such as banning access from outside of hospitals [ 10 ]. While the majority of people agree that those apps can greatly enhance the use of health information for better healthcare, they also express concerns over information security and protection.…”

The Prospect of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Home Healthcare in Super-Aged Society

“…In the United States, telemedicine is commonplace, and since 2015, Japan has also allowed telemedicine services for specific patients 25) . Korea has also been trying to introduce telemedicine between doctors and patients under the label "U-health" through pilot projects but has failed in professional and social consensus due to the controversy of medical privatization 25,26) . Therefore, it is urgently required to establish a clinical basis for home healthcare that will become a key field in the fourth industrial revolution for the next decade.…”