Pediatricians slam telemedicine bill as ‘political decision’ that endangers children’s safety

Pediatricians have called for reversing the plan to institutionalize telemedicine. They pointed out that the inclusion of children under the age of 18 in remote care is nothing but a political decision that ignores patient safety.

On Thursday, the Korean Pediatric Association issued a position paper opposing a bill proposed by Rep. Jeon Jin-sook of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) to amend the Medical Service Act and institutionalize telehealth.

The association called the bill a “major policy error that would dismantle the medical delivery system and threaten the public’s right to health,” adding that “remote medical treatment for initial pediatric consultations is impossible.”

“Opening up telemedicine for pediatric consultations is a hasty move that disregards the unique needs of pediatric care,” the association said. “The danger is multiplied when applied to pediatric patients, as it threatens the essence of medicine -- accurate diagnosis and safe treatment.”

Such practices could lead to life-threatening medical errors, the position paper warned. The life-threatening case of a child with suspected obstructive laryngitis in 2023, who received only telemedicine rather than proper emergency care, demonstrates the risks of pediatric telemedicine, it pointed out.

“According to a report by the Research Institute for Healthcare Policy, while some countries have allowed telemedicine for initial consultations on a limited basis since Covid-19, most countries have not allowed telemedicine for initial consultations due to the high risk of compromising patient health,” the association added.

The association said that in the case of platform-based telemedicine, the government and platform providers should share responsibility for patient safety.

“Before promoting telemedicine policies, there must be sufficient discussions and institutional arrangements on safety, effectiveness, and legal responsibility structures through an independent review organization involving the medical community and academia,” it said. “We will use all means to prevent wrong policies without political compromise or compromise.”