A Research on Present-Condition Investigation of Aftercare and Non-Medical Services to Revitalize Foreign Patients

Abstract

Today, the number of foreign patients visiting Korea is increasing, but satisfaction of health services is decreasing. Also, even the government recognized how this problem is serious, they only talk about situations, not improvement plans. Other countries such as Singapore and Thailand have lots of plans to attract foreign patients. Nowadays the medical quality could not be an element of competition. Non-Medical services and aftercare services are the method which can satisfy foreign patient and could make them visit again. This study's data was collected by practician who works on 'Big 5' hospital in Korea. The main flow of this study composed with focus group interview and questionnaire was added to support this study's idea. Questionnaire development was based on interviews and literatures. It was distributed to 'Well Foreign patients attracting medical institutions'. The results of this study showed that non-medical services were conducted well, but the way to support showed different between medical institutions. Some are supporting themselves, but some are supporting thorough agency. However, aftercare system was not popular. Many people who works on hospital knew that aftercare is an important issue, but they did not have related department. only 1of 3 has department for aftercare. Also depends on nation, they serve different services. So, in Korea we need to build 'Care Center' to mange non-medical services and aftercare services. According to experts of foreign patients said that it is hard to manage all people. Therefore one united care system could help them to care patients well. Through this research, Korea's policy of revitalizing medical tourism should be grow up, and refer to attract many foreign patient as an medical power.