원격의료 확대의 의의 및 조건에 대한 법정책적 연구: 헬스케어 산업 발전의 관점에서

Abstract

Recently the adoption of new technology in health and medial field has generated a great deal of controversy and resistance, which comes from the sensitivity of that filed related to human’s life and body. Specifically, telemedicine in Korean Health Law has been firstly introduced in 2002, however, the further expansion is stopped due to the failure in compromising between pros and cons. If we can agree on that the essences of medical practice are ‘professionalism’ and ‘face-to-face’, it is because of the ‘morality’ and ‘responsibility’ as a conduct dealing with ‘human’. It is not enough to take functional approach. Therefore, even if the most advanced technology is going to emerge in the future, medical personnels have to take the ultimate responsibility and the technology ought to remain in complementary position. The two core characteristics of medical practices suggest us the limitation that the technology should not take place of medical personnel. In this sense, we should try to find a way to institute the more advanced telemedicine without distorting and damaging the existing heath care delivery system. It is possible to have the advanced telemedicine to strengthen the ‘regionalization’ of health care delivery system that is said to be in danger of destruction. If we promote health care industry which focuses on the prevention of disease and management of health on the basis of local government and society, we may be able to vitalize the first-level medical institutions. The primary goal of health and medical policy is to serve all people with a substantial level of health care anywhere in the country, and to prevent the concentration of profits and patients into certain large hospitals. From this point of view, in deciding priority of policies, an aim of establishing the health care system with ‘publicness’ as universal service which can treat all people in need in relatively cheap price, rather than maximizing profits and upgrading services through the development of health care industry, should take the lead.