In September 2020, A-reum Kim, director of the International Medical Center at Inha University Hospital, conducts video treatment for Middle Eastern workers. Provided by Inha University Hospital
– “Hello, when I took a CT, my blood vessels swelled a little. You can see the picture on the phone screen. This is this part. I think it would be better to do the surgery again.” (Doctor)
“Yes? You need to have surgery?” (patient)
Inha University Hospital first initiated imaging treatment
Patients receive treatment while viewing CT results on a smartphone
Prescriptions can be faxed, medicines can be received by courier.
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This is part of a conversation between Mr. Y, a patient with a cerebral aneurysm in Incheon, on the 25th of last month, and Professor Park Hyun-seon, a neurosurgeon at Inha University Hospital. This kind of conversation went back and forth in the video clinic, not in the doctor’s office. The patient was diagnosed with a cerebral aneurysm in 2013 and stabilized after treatment. Recently, as my headache persisted, I had a medical examination at Professor Park in the middle of last month, and computed tomography (CT) was performed to check the condition.
After seeing the test results, he had to make an additional treatment plan, but Mr. Y chose burn treatment. Mr. Y listened to the hospital’s explanation, connected to the smartphone, and received treatment from Professor Park. We talked while looking at each other’s faces. Professor Park explained by displaying the test results on a monitor. The same screen appeared on the patient’s smartphone. The screen was small, so I couldn’t see it in detail, but I could see the part that Professor Park pointed out.
Mr. Y didn’t want to take the bus for more than two hours round trip to see the results of the test. In addition, he was reluctant to come outside or come to the hospital especially because of concerns about corona 19 infection. Even if you make an appointment and come to face-to-face treatment, you will not be treated immediately. Usually you have to wait 15-20 minutes. Burns don’t even need such a waiting time. After listening to the hospital’s explanation, I agreed to the imaging treatment, and connected at the appointed time.
“I’ve been treating it for a long time, but I haven’t had a lot of trouble in the meantime, but maybe it’s winter, so it’s not temporary. Is it enough to have surgery?”
When the patient asked like this, Professor Park showed the CT file and explained in detail, and the patient understood. The burn took about 15 minutes. There is no difference from face-to-face treatment. He is currently adjusting his surgery schedule.
The patient said, “It was difficult to step outside because of Corona 19 these days, but it was convenient and good. As with face-to-face treatment, I asked all questions and was not uncomfortable.”
Inha University Hospital has provided video treatment for overseas Koreans. This time, using the platform, video treatment for domestic patients began on the 25th of last month. As the Corona 19 spread in February last year, phone consultation was temporarily allowed, and about 1.4 million cases were conducted. In fact, Inha University Hospital is the first to provide burn treatment.
After signing up for membership, a patient connects to the hospital system with a smartphone or a laptop or desktop with a webcam and logs in to connect to the doctor. The poor patient is said to be explained by a nurse in advance. Patients receive treatment while viewing the test results and treatment charts on a smartphone or computer screen. The prescription is faxed to a pharmacy designated by the patient.
Not everyone has burn treatment. The target is for patients who have returned. These include residents of the West Sea 5 provinces such as Ongjin-gun, corona 19 self-isolators, chronic diseases with limited mobility, patients who want to check test results, and patients who have received the same prescription for a long time for the same disease. The doctor decides whether to be eligible for burn treatment and seeks patient consent. Not yet active. I have done 3 burn treatments in a week and have 5 appointments.
Young-mo Kim, director of Inha University Hospital, said, “After starting non-face-to-face treatment for overseas Koreans, we are quenching the thirst for medical services among Koreans overseas.” By providing it to help block the spread of Corona 19.”
Burn treatment became possible with the revision of the Infectious Disease Prevention Act on December 15 last year. This is possible only if safety can be secured according to medical judgment. It can only be done in the severe stage of the 5 stages of infectious disease crisis response. It shouldn’t be done just by text message or katok. Because I am concerned about one-way traffic. The cost of treatment is the same as face-to-face treatment. Prescriptions are faxed or emailed to a pharmacy designated by the patient. The pharmacist must provide medication guidance by phone or in writing. You can get the medicine by courier. Written medication instructions must be attached.
The Ministry of Health and Welfare temporarily allowed phone counseling and prescriptions after the Corona 19 spread in February last year. Since then, about 1.4 million medical treatments have been performed.
Reporter Shin Seong-shik [email protected]
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