“보조 수단 넘어선 디지털 헬스케어, 의료제도 개편에 적극 활용해야” [건강한겨레]

In recent years, digital health care has shifted from being just an auxiliary tool to a primary driver in health care systems. Professor Kang Jae-hwan, the Future Health Care Division Head at Gangbuk Samsung Hospital, emphasized the rapid growth of the digital health care industry, which has surged from a 2.2 trillion won market in 2020 to a 7.4 trillion won market at the end of last year.

Digital health care encompasses a series of activities and tools that utilize intelligence information technology and health information to contribute to national health improvement, including disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment, life-cycle health management, and research and development.

Several companies, like Kyung, are expanding the digital health care ecosystem around smart patient monitoring systems. At the same time, the healthcare industry is moving towards digital transformation (DX) and artificial intelligence transition (AX), leading to the adoption of advanced technologies such as remote consultations, diagnostic assistance devices, digital treatment devices, and continuous glucose monitors.

However, digital health care technologies are still largely auxiliary in the current system, lacking legal, institutional, and policy support.

Professor Kang argues for a comprehensive policy revision that integrates digital health care into the existing healthcare system, rather than treating it as a mere technological trend. This transformation is necessary due to the aging population, limited healthcare resources, and structural challenges in the healthcare system. Advanced technologies such as AI solutions, monitoring devices, and digital treatment devices are fundamentally changing the healthcare landscape, enabling remote consultations, real-time monitoring of key health indicators, and more efficient production.

Consequently, digital health care is becoming an integral part of the healthcare system, rather than just an auxiliary tool.