A study of South Korea's home healthcare policies in response to an aging population

Abstract

The evolving demographic landscape necessitates a transformation in the structure of healthcare services required by our society. In particular, the demand for home-based healthcare and domiciliary medical services is rapidly increasing, as these services are essential for patients with mobility impairments. However, the current healthcare system in Korea lacks a comprehensive framework to adequately support and institutionalize these services. At present, various initiatives related to home-based healthcare and domiciliary medical services are being implemented in a fragmented and uncoordinated manner, without a unified strategic direction. Consequently, there is an urgent need to establish a systematic and integrated policy framework that can effectively accommodate the surging demand for such services. In response to this imperative, this study aims to analyze domestic efforts, examine international cases, and provide policy recommendations for the institutionalization of home-based healthcare and domiciliary medical services in Korea.