Ministry of Health and Medical Association Hold 'Medical-Political Consultation' on Telemedicine... Reaffirm Principle of Follow-up Visits Focus

Starting from the 1st of next month, a pilot project for non-face-to-face medical consultations is scheduled to be implemented, and the medical-government council has reaffirmed the principle of 'follow-up patient-centered' non-face-to-face consultations.

Non-face-to-face medical treatment stock photo.
Photo by Asia Economy DB

The Ministry of Health and Welfare and the Korea Medical Association held the 9th meeting of the 'Medical Issues Council' on the afternoon of the 24th to discuss the pilot project for non-face-to-face medical consultations.

At this meeting, the Ministry explained the 'Plan for Promoting the Non-Face-to-Face Medical Consultation Pilot Project (draft),' which is scheduled to be implemented next month in line with the adjustment of the infectious disease crisis level, and gathered opinions from the medical association regarding implementing institutions, target patients, and the prohibition of dedicated institutions.

They also mentioned that the plan reflects the principles for promoting non-face-to-face consultations agreed upon at the 2nd Medical Issues Council in February. At that time, the medical-government council agreed on ▲ operation centered on follow-up patients ▲ implementation mainly at clinic-level medical institutions ▲ prohibition of dedicated non-face-to-face medical institutions.

With the reaffirmation of the principles for promoting non-face-to-face consultations at this medical-government council, it appears unlikely that the platform industry’s demand to allow initial consultations will be accepted.

The government initially considered including weekend and nighttime pediatric consultations in the limited allowance for initial consultations, but this was excluded following opposition from the medical community during government-party consultations. However, it is known that the government is exploring allowing medication delivery restrictions to be lifted only for elderly and disabled individuals with mobility difficulties, as well as infectious disease patients.

Meanwhile, the next Medical Issues Council is scheduled to be held on the 1st.

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