Smart healthcare, a combination of advanced information and communication technology (ICT) and medical technology, is drawing attention as a new solution due to the recent deepening aging population and the increase in chronic diseases worldwide. Kore...
Smart healthcare, a combination of advanced information and communication technology (ICT) and medical technology, is drawing attention as a new solution due to the recent deepening aging population and the increase in chronic diseases worldwide. Korea as well as major countries is improving industrial revitalization policies and regulations to foster smart healthcare, but in Korea, there is no agreement between stakeholders such as telemedicine and medical data utilization, delaying system improvement compared to major countries.
In this study, the cause of the failure to revitalize the domestic smart healthcare industry is identified through comparative analysis of policies and standardized governance with the healthcare leaders, the United States, Europe, and China. The purpose is to make policy suggestions on the future direction of domestic smart healthcare through comparative analysis.
As a result of comparing policies and regulatory improvements to revitalize the smart healthcare industry in major countries and domestic countries, industrial revitalization policies were almost similar to major countries, but the timing was somewhat later than that of major countries. The pace of regulatory improvement was also found to be slower than that of major countries. This is because due to the nature of smart healthcare, it is difficult for each ministry to promote its work alone, so it is necessary to establish a responsible organization or cooperative system, but there is no responsible organization in Korea. However, since the recent formation of the Digital Healthcare Special Committee of the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee, there has been an active movement to promote the industry, promote policies and improve regulations among ministries.
As a result of comparing standardized governance between major countries and domestic countries, smart healthcare is led by a responsible organization with influence, and standardization drive and influence are high in major countries. Korea establishes standards under the leadership of the government, but the authority was distributed at the same time as the distribution of standards by ministries, so the momentum and influence of standardization were weak.
What is needed first for the development of smart healthcare in Korea is the formation of standardized governance centered on organizations responsible to smart healthcare. In the case of domestic smart healthcare policy governance, a special healthcare committee under the 4th Industrial Revolution Committee was established to strengthen cooperation between ministries and establish a long-term roadmap. Smart healthcare standardization governance should also have a system in which a responsible organization is formed to lead the coalition of administrative departments, and standards developed along with standard development should be reflected in policies. If a standardized governance system is established, smart healthcare standards can be actively developed like in major countries. In addition, conflicts between stakeholders in the standard development process will be naturally resolved, speeding up regulatory improvement, and creating an environment where various industrial revitalization policies can be actively promoted.