Connected Care

Last year, the Essential Medical Policy Package was introduced in South Korea. While there is still debate over what constitutes essential medical care, there is a general consensus that it refers to specialties directly linked to saving lives and providing indispensable treatments. Examples include internal medicine, various surgical specialties within general surgery, obstetrics, and emergency..

Public healthcare initiatives often strive to enhance patient outcomes, optimize resource use, and ensure system resilience. Yet, due to the intricate nature of healthcare delivery, these reforms frequently yield unforeseen results. This article explores several significant healthcare strategies in South Korea, from historical milestones to recent developments under the Tertiary Hospital Structu..

Continuity of care has gained global attention in modern healthcare systems. As healthcare systems grow more complex—especially concerning chronic conditions and post-acute care—effective coordination among providers is key to improving patient outcomes and operational efficiency. This article explores how Korea is aligning with global trends in continuity of care through two significant policy ..

One evening, a cancer patient undergoing chemotherapy in a major tertiary hospital in the Seoul metropolitan area developed a high fever while staying in his hometown and was rushed to the local emergency room. The ER staff knew he was a cancer patient but had no access to his medical records. An X-ray suggested chemotherapy-induced pneumonia, but without previous imaging, they couldn't determin..

If you've ever visited a tertiary hospital (especially referred to as the Big 5 hospitals in Seoul, Korea), you’ve probably noticed the overcrowded outpatient clinics and general wards. Many patients seek treatment at these top-tier hospitals, even for conditions that could be managed at secondary and regional hospitals. This has led to an overburdened system, where emergency rooms are frequentl..

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming critical sectors, and healthcare is no exception. In Korea, where data privacy and security are paramount, there is a strong focus on the importance of on-premise installations—systems that operate independently of external networks to protect sensitive patient information. DeepSeek has emerged as a promising solution in this context. Developed wit..

Imagine a patient with a chronic illness who has been seeing the same doctor for years. The doctor knows their full medical history, understands their concerns, and has built a relationship based on trust. This is continuity of care (CoC)—the idea that healthcare should be seamless, coordinated, and patient-centered.For primary care providers, maintaining CoC is straightforward—they see their pa..

Digital health has become an essential component of modern healthcare systems, requiring international collaboration to enhance interoperability and standardization. One key initiative fostering this global effort is the Global Digital Health Partnership (GDHP), which brings together nations to share knowledge and develop best practices in digital health. The Global Digital Health Partnership (G..