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.