Samcheok-si Implements 'Remote Medical Care' for Chronic Disease Patients in Medically Underserved Areas

Connecting Senior Centers and Public Health Clinics Enables Medication Guidance, Medical Consultation, and Prescriptions
Samcheok City: "This Will Help Elderly Residents with Mobility Difficulties Save Time and Costs"

Samcheok City, Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province (Mayor Park Sang-su) announced on the 17th that it will implement a remote medical consultation project for residents in medically underserved areas.

This project is a remote medical consultation initiative utilizing information and communication technology (ICT) to improve medical accessibility for residents in medically underserved areas who have difficulty accessing medical institutions. It connects senior centers and public health clinics, allowing public health doctors to remotely provide consultation, health counseling, medical treatment, and prescriptions for chronic disease patients.

Samcheok City Hall exterior. Photo by Samcheok City Hall

Currently, 12 senior centers and 6 public health clinics in Samcheok City provide medication guidance such as how to take medicine, precautions, and storage methods, as well as health education to improve lifestyle habits for chronic disease patients. They can also receive remote medical treatment and prescriptions from doctors.

An official from Samcheok City stated, “We expect this to greatly help reduce the social and economic costs associated with hospital visits for elderly residents with mobility difficulties, and we will continue to strive to provide medical benefits to residents in medically underserved areas.”