Asan Medical Center launches AI platform to streamline foreign patient care

Asan Medical Center (AMC) has launched an AI-driven medical platform that centralizes treatment access for foreign patients, eliminating bureaucratic roadblocks that have long complicated international care. 

The system, designed for critically ill patients seeking advanced treatment, integrates registration, medical data uploads, pre-consultations, and telemedicine into a single digital hub.

Each year, around 20,000 foreign patients travel to Asan for conditions such as cancer and organ failure—cases that often exceed the capabilities of their home healthcare systems. But language barriers, fragmented communication, and security risks have made the process inefficient. The new platform aims to change that.

The platform automates key processes using AI, translating uploaded medical records into eight languages, including English, Arabic, and Mongolian. It also links directly to AMC medical information system (AMIS), allowing clinicians to review cases before consultations. Patients can receive preliminary assessments and treatment plans before they arrive in Korea, streamlining decision-making and expediting care.

The shift builds on AMC's growing role in global telemedicine. Since 2021, the hospital has conducted 866 remote consultations across 57 countries. Previously, patients had to rely on a patchwork of emails, messaging apps, and document transfers to initiate care—an inefficient process that delayed treatment and raised security concerns. Now, everything is consolidated into a single portal, improving both patient access and physician workflow.

For foreign patients, the platform extends beyond hospital visits. It enables real-time tracking of treatment progress and supports remote follow-ups even after they return home. The system also enhances data security, ensuring patient records are fully integrated and protected.

AMC's international reach continues to grow. In 2024 alone, nearly 19,500 foreign patients sought treatment at the hospital, with the largest share coming from the U.S. (26 percent), followed by the UAE (15 percent) and Mongolia (14 percent). Over the past decade, more than 3,500 medical professionals from 88 countries have visited AMC to train in advanced medical techniques.

That reputation was further reinforced this year when Newsweek ranked AMC the top hospital in Korea and 22nd worldwide. The hospital also placed in the global top five for four clinical specialties, including endocrinology and oncology.