"We Do Not Provide Phone Consultations" Confusion Arises Due to Differences Among Hospitals

Temporary Government Allowance for Voluntary Participation
Standards Vary by Residence and Status

Professor Cho Young-min from the Department of Endocrinology at Seoul National University Hospital is conducting a phone consultation with a patient. Photo by Seoul National University Hospital

[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] "Telephone consultations are only available for patients in Daegu and Gyeongbuk."

Office worker Kim Ho-young (alias) recently inquired whether telephone consultations were possible at the university hospital where his mother in her 60s usually visited. However, the hospital stated, "There is a guideline that telephone consultations are difficult unless you reside in Daegu or Gyeongbuk." Since Kim heard that elderly patients are vulnerable to the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19), he is considering whether to cancel his mother's appointment.

According to the medical community on the 17th, the so-called 'Big 5 hospitals' including Samsung Seoul Hospital, Seoul National University Hospital, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, Asan Medical Center, Severance Hospital, and major national university hospitals nationwide are currently conducting telephone consultations. This follows the government's temporary allowance of telephone consultations from the 24th of last month to prevent the spread of COVID-19. However, since participation is voluntary and detailed guidelines differ by hospital, many cases like Kim's are causing confusion.

Even if telephone consultations are offered, whether to provide the service is decided based on the patient's condition and residence, with detailed guidelines varying by hospital. Among the Big 5 hospitals, Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Seoul Hospital provide telephone consultations only to residents of Daegu and Gyeongbuk. A representative from Seoul National University Hospital said, "It is targeted at patients living in areas with many confirmed cases," adding, "Since it reduces face-to-face contact, it is judged to help prevent the spread of infection."

At Seoul National University Hospital, patients are contacted in advance to ask if replacing the appointment with a telephone consultation is acceptable, and if the patient agrees, the consultation is conducted on the scheduled day. Since patient consent is essential, there is no way to prevent elderly patients or those with underlying conditions from insisting on in-person treatment at the hospital.

New patients and those requiring separate tests or treatments also find it difficult to receive telephone consultations. A representative from Asan Medical Center explained, "New patients need medical judgment grounds for diagnosis or prescription, and there may be many tests to be conducted, so visiting the hospital is necessary." A representative from Severance Hospital also stated, "Telephone consultations are mainly provided to patient groups who do not necessarily need to visit the hospital or those receiving medication prescriptions."

With the temporary allowance of telephone consultations, some view this as a trial for remote medical care. The Korean Medical Association opposes this, stating, "Consultations and prescriptions via telephone are de facto remote medical care that undermines the principle of face-to-face treatment," and "It is not only potentially illegal under current law but also risks delaying diagnosis or missing the opportunity for appropriate initial treatment by doctors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.