Public Digital Health Management Services in Korea: Current Status and Future Directions

Abstract

Public digital health management services have been available in local communities in Korea since 2016. This article examines the development and current status of the existing three public digital health management service platforms, designed for adults, children and adolescents, and seniors, respectively. Based on our analysis, we suggest the following medium- to long-term improvements. First, to reduce the inconvenience involved in using the separate service platforms, it would require incorporating them into one management system with strengthened digitalization and improved user-friendly functionality. Second, since offering a mix of face-to-face and non-face-to-face services would help promote participation among older persons in health management programs, it is crucial to establish an integrated service system that enables older persons to become accustomed to new digital technology and participate in health management programs over the long term. Connecting those health management programs to welfare programs can improve the quality of services. Third, there is a need to bolster the foundation for delivering health management services in this rapidly changing digital era. Advancements in public services are unlikely without collaboration with highly competent private-sector entities. Public-private collaboration can help create a virtuous cycle of public health management services for the people.