Accepting telemedicine in a circulatory medicine ward in major hospitals in South Korea: patients’ and health professionals’ perception of real-time electrocardiogram monitoring

Abstract

BackgroundSouth Korean government is currently in progress of expanding the coverage of telemedicine projects as part of an attempt to vitalize service industry, but is facing fierce opposition from KMA. Practice of telemedicine requires sufficient discussions among related parties. Although the participation of medical specialists is important, agreement from the public is essential.MethodsThree main tertiary care centers in Seoul were selected for data collection. A total of 224 patients (patients n = 180, patient guardian n = 44) and medical professionals (n = 41) were selected using simple random sampling. Mixed method of quantitative survey and qualitative semi-interview was used.ResultsThis study analyzed patients’ and medical professionals’ perception about the application of telemedicine in cardiology ward in tertiary care centers to provide baseline data when developing and applying telemedicine services. Results implied high need for encouraging telemedicine projects in order to appeal needs among population by providing experience (p < 0.001) and knowledge (p < 0.001). Other results showed that the need for electrocardiography monitoring was high among not only in remote areas but also in areas close to the capital. 64.52% of all participants thought that telemedicine was needed, and 73.21% of participants were willing to use telemedicine service if provided. Semi-interviews revealed that participants expected more cost and time saving services through remote treatment, by not having to visit long distance hospitals frequently.ConclusionsResearch results oppose Korean Medical Association’s opinion that the population is against enforcing telemedicine related laws. The findings in this study reflect an up-to-date perception of telemedicine among patients and medical professionals in a tertiary care centers’ cardiology ward. Moreover, the study provides a baseline that is needed in order to overcome past failures and to successfully implement telemedicine in South Korea.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-018-3105-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Population perceptions of health care services provided virtually (telehealth): a cross-sectional study

“… 14 Additionally, another study suggested that, by providing a good experience with telehealth, we can enhance acceptance. 17 The accordance of telehealth acceptance between those with or without a chronic disease in our study may be due to the increasing demands on the health care systems to provide new innovative methods of health care provision to all patients. 5 …”

“…Unlike Holtz and Lee et al ., this study showed no association between technology perceived ease of use and telehealth acceptance. 14 , 17 This could be attributed to the fact that almost all our participants were young with a median age of 26, who tend to use internet-connected devices or video calls in their daily life activities, such as e-learning and socializing platforms. However, a study stated that those who experienced telehealth before had different reasons to accept such technology from new users.…”

“…Although both studies were conducted before COVID-19 pandemic, the pandemic could have had affected respondents’ acceptance to telehealth in the present study. 6 , 17 …”

“…This finding was consistent with two studies, which noted perceived privacy as the main concern among patients when using telehealth. 15 , 17 …”

“…However, the readiness to implement such technology in Kuwait’s health system was investigated in one study by Buabbas and Alshawaf before COVID-19 emerged. 16 , 17 The studied population in Buabbas was limited to patients of referral and their physicians, affecting results generalizability to the general population and all HCPs. Buabbas found that participants thought telehealth would be useful and cost-effective when properly applied.…”