Clinic-based health care platforms are the solution, not telemedicine

It is a system rather than a technology that matters in health care reform

Yeosijae hosted its forum on the future of health care

A few years ago, there was a lot of heated debate over the suitability of telemedicine. On one hand, some argue that telemedicine can save patients who have been excluded from traditional medical services. On the other hand, others claim that telemedicine could destroy public health services. Moreover, there are concerns about struggling smaller clinics going out of business due to telemedicine.

However, the situation has now changed. With the development of digital medical technologies, we need more than just ‘telemedicine.’ A range of medical devices is now able to monitor patients at home in real-time. Accordingly, the remote nature of such devices is now used not only in rural areas but also in many parts of the world. 

What should be done? Yeosijae previously conducted a joint study with Seoul National University College of Medicine. We reached the conclusion that medical care should not be centered around large hospitals in the future. Instead, we should strengthen the ability of small clinics to provide close care to local patients using digital technologies. In other words, we need clinic-based health care platforms.

However, it is only natural that there will be clear differences of opinion when we start to discuss specifics. Health care reform will certainly take a long time and bring about countless difficulties. Nevertheless, as a first step, Yeosijae held a forum on the future of health care with the Hankyoreh Economy and Society Research Institute and Dong-Min Ki of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea on September 9, 2019. Yun-Chul Hong, professor at Seoul National University College of Medicine, Jong-Han Leem, professor at Inha University College of Medicine, and Heo-Kyung Soo, CEO at DKI Technology, gave presentations at the forum. Jong-Chul Lee, manager at Changwon Community Health Center, Sun-Min Kim, director of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, Kyung-Sil Jung, director of the Health and Medicine Policy Department at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Jae-Heon Kang, professor at Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Hye-In Cho, president of Salim Clinic, and Yoon-Jeong Bae, the CEO of Medi Plus Solution, participated in the forum as panelists. The discussion was led by Yoon-Hyung Park, professor at Soon Chun Hyang University College of Medicine.