Doctors, patients embrace telemedicine, but pharmacists remain cautious: survey

A survey found that doctors and patients who experienced telemedicine reported high satisfaction levels. Pharmacists, however, showed relatively lower satisfaction.

Lee Dong-hwan, team leader at Korea Research, presented interim results of the “Survey on Satisfaction and Improvement Suggestions for Telemedicine Policy” at a forum on Tuesday at the National Assembly Members' Office Building. The forum was co-hosted by Rep. Choi Bo-yoon of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Korea Telemedicine Industry Council.

The analysis of 647 patients, 109 doctors, and 177 pharmacists who participated in the survey from Sept. 2 to 23showed that satisfaction among telemedicine users was 97.5 percent (69.2 percent were very satisfied, 28.3 percent were satisfied).

The satisfaction rate among physicians who conducted telemedicine consultations was slightly lower at 77.1 percent (very satisfied were 23.9 percent while satisfied were 53.2 percent). In comparison, only 59.4 percent of pharmacists (very satisfied were 4.0 percent, while satisfied were 55.4 percent) reported satisfaction with telemedicine consultations. The final results are scheduled for release after the Chuseok holiday.

Positive responses were also seen regarding future intentions to participate in telemedicine. Some 95.4 percent of doctors and 82.5 percent of pharmacists expressed willingness to participate again. Among those with telemedicine experience, 96.6 percent stated they would use a telemedicine platform for future services.

“Most patients with telemedicine experience were satisfied. The high willingness to use telemedicine platforms in the future confirms the potential for the service to become established,” Lee said.

Criticism emerged during the discussion that government policies are failing to keep pace with the speed of industrial development, including telemedicine.

“While venture startups are entering new businesses with innovative ideas, the limitations lie in the fact that related systems and government policies are not keeping up,” said Lee Min-hyung, a team leader at the Korea Venture Business Association. “It is extremely difficult to run a startup within a structure where one inevitably has to be mindful of existing professional groups.”

New business sectors require a principle of prior permission and post-facto regulation, Lee said, adding that legislation related to telemedicine should also proceed not merely in line with the industry, but in a direction that promotes it.

The government also stated it would pursue policies to activate telemedicine.

Seong Chang-hyeon, director of the Healthcare Policy Division at the Ministry of Health and Welfare, stated that a system must be established where in-person, telemedicine, and home-based medical care are organically integrated. Now that technology and demand are sufficiently supported, it is the right time for institutionalization, he said.

“If telemedicine is used in a way that benefits both patients and doctors, it is the government's role to support that system,” Seong said. “Rather than regulating everything by law, we are designing the system in a flexible manner suited to the digital transformation framework.”

Seong emphasized that telemedicine, in-person care, and home-based medical care should not be disconnected but interconnected.

“Various stakeholders, including SMEs, the platform industry, and the EMR industry, must participate to build a harmonious healthcare system,” he added.