Yeongju-si, Medically Underserved Area Remote Consultation Project Named National 'Best' for 2 Consecutive Years

Leading the Way in Eliminating Medical Blind Spots with Video Consultation Services

Yeongju City in Gyeongbuk was selected as the national 'Grand Prize' winner for the second consecutive year in the 2024 Remote Medical Consultation Best Practices Contest for Medically Underserved Areas.

Yeongju City received the national best award for two consecutive years in the remote medical consultation project for medically underserved areas and is taking a commemorative photo. Provided by Yeongju City

At the 2024 Remote Medical Consultation Project Performance Sharing Conference for Medically Underserved Areas held at The Plaza Hotel Seoul in Jung-gu, Seoul, Lee Jeong-hye, a public health officer (individual award), received the 'Minister of Health and Welfare Award,' recognizing her achievements.

Yeongju City contributed to the activation of remote medical consultation services through various activities in cooperation with Yeongju Red Cross Hospital for the health management of residents in medically underserved areas, including △ operating chronic disease health classes △ training to strengthen the capabilities of healthcare personnel △ expanding complication examination items.

The remote medical consultation project for medically underserved areas is a service that allows residents to visit nearby public health clinics and receive doctor consultations and medical treatment through video devices without having to travel long distances to hospitals. After the consultation, residents can also receive medications at the public health clinics, which has been highly welcomed by residents in medically underserved areas.

Yeongju City conducted 1,022 remote consultations in 2023 and 927 consultations as of the end of November 2024, improving medical accessibility for local residents. Additionally, residents participating in remote consultations can visit Yeongju Red Cross Hospital twice a year for free face-to-face consultations and complication examinations, resulting in high satisfaction.

An elderly participant in the remote consultation said, “I used to have to take an early morning bus to get to the city hospital, but now I can comfortably receive treatment and get medicine at the local public health clinic, which is really convenient.”

Kim Moon-su, Director of Yeongju City Health Center, said, “We will take the lead in improving medical accessibility and eliminating blind spots in healthcare through the remote medical consultation project for medically underserved areas,” adding, “We will continue to take responsibility for residents’ health through ongoing improvements and support.”

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