DOI QR코드

DOI QR Code

A Study on the Strategic Vitalization Plan of Korean Integrated Medical Tourism

  • Kweon, Kee-Tae (Department of Oriental Medical Food & Nutrition, Semyung University) ;
  • Kim, Hwa-Kyung (Department of Hotel Management, Semyung University)
  • Received : 2013.05.03
  • Accepted : 2013.06.10
  • Published : 2013.06.30

Abstract

Objectives: As a newcomer to the medical tourism industry, Korea needs to differentiate itself from the leading competing countries to vitalize its early-stage medical tourism industry. This study aims to introduce a strategic plan to vitalize the Korean integrated medical tourism so that Korea can differentiate itself from competing countries and create high added value. Methods: The concept and actual conditions of medical tourism and Oriental medical tourism were examined. A plan to differentiate Korea from the competing countries in the medical tourism industry was studied to create high added-value through strategic vitalization of its medical tourism industry. Results: Korean integrated medical tourism must be developed differently from those of other South-East Asian countries in order to strategically promote the cash-cow medical tourism industry. In order to develop such medical tourism, Korean medical practice, which integrates Western and Oriental medicine, is to be developed through mutual understanding and fusion of other disciplines among medical doctors and Oriental medical doctors who are working in local healthcare for health promotion of local residents and disease prevention and control. This will play a key role in developing a unique medical tourism product of Korea by means of strategic alliances as an integrated medicine. Manpower specialized for integrated medicine is to be specially supplied for Oriental medicine-related business lines at city, county and borough levels, among local governments, that are enthusiastically carrying forward Oriental medical tourism with an interest to promoting more active and strategic business development and raise the effectiveness and efficiency of public health centers handling related medical tourism. Manpower specialized for Korean integrated medical tourism is to be specially supplied for the Ministry of Culture, Health and Tourism, a policy control tower to develop and vitalize high value-added fusion (theme) tourism products such as the Korean integrated medical tourism, in order to discover, promote and support Korean integrated medical tourism's differences from existing medical tourism. Conclusions: The differentiated integrated medical tourism that only Korea can offer in a variety of forms, in order to create a key area of high value-added medical tourism, should be strategically vitalized through a liaison between integrated medicine and tourism and the realization of patient-centered health care services with medical technology developed based on mutual understanding of Western and Oriental medicine.

Keywords

References

  1. Min JH. Medical Tourism is Universally New Growth Engine. Dailymedi 2013 Mar 20.
  2. Seo BR, Kim KH. Global Health Care Tourism. 2nd Edition. Seoul: Daewangsa. 2011: 5, 64, 65, 66, 87, 88, 92.
  3. Yu JY. Strategic Approach to Promote Korean Oriental Medical Tourism. Korea Culture & Tourism Institute. 2009: Preface, 3, 9, 10, 101.
  4. Choi SK, Kim HK. Promotion of Health Tourism for Korean Traditional Medicine. Journal of Tourism Policy. 2005;11(1):321.
  5. Jin KN. The Framework of Medical Tourism & Practice. Seoul: Beommun Education. 2013: Preface, 4.
  6. Weon JH, Kim MS. Medical Tourism. Seoul: Hanol. 2012: 49.
  7. Kim SY. Revitalization of The Medical Tourism, Relaxation of Regulation is Urgent. Dailymedi 2013 Apr 11.
  8. Ministry of Health & Welfare, Ministry of Culture, Gymnastics & Tourism. Strategic Approach to Promote Korean Medical Tourism - Korean Medical Global Project. 2010.
  9. Korea Tourism Organization. Research of Medical Tourism Marketing. 2008.
  10. Eum SJ. The Ministry of Health-Welfare led Oriental Medical Tourism Speed. Dailymedi 2013 Apr 22.
  11. Korean Medicine R&D Mid- and Long-term Plan for Developing. 2008: 43,49.
  12. Kim MS. Kyunghee University Medical Center - The Korea Tourist Services Inc, MOU Signed. Dailymedi 2012 Dec 20.
  13. Lyu SM. Break Grounding The Daegu Integrated Medical Center for an Obstinate Disease Next Month. Yonhap News 2010 Jul 28.
  14. Kim HH. The Ministry of Health-Welfare!, Commencement The Integrated Medical Institutionalization. Bokuennews 2012 Jun 5.
  15. Kim JS. The Manual for Using My Body Interpreted Korean Medicine. Seoul: Randomhousekorea. 2009: 5, 6.
  16. Ministry of Health & Welfare. Manual for Korean Medicine Public Health Service. 2012: 10.
  17. Eum SJ. The Core Function of Public Health Center Which is Big Conflicted with The Medical Community is Treatment Prevention. Dailymedi 2012 Aug 31.
  18. Kim CJ. Backache, Effect is "Awesome" by Collaboration of The Oriental and Western Medicine. Kyunghyang Shinmun 2013 Apr 25.
  19. Lee KC. The Medical Tourism, Development Need of The Oriental and Western Integrated Medical Service. Akomnews 2012 Nov 20.
  20. Korean Medical Examination and Treatment for Foreign Patients in 2011. Korea Health Industry Development Institute. 2013 Jan 4.
  21. Symposium on Korean Medical Tourism in 2009. Yun Seok-yong Lawmaker. 141145.
  22. Lee MY. The Oriental Medicine, It is Time to Take the Leap to the Global Market. JoongAng Ilbo Health Media 2013 Apr 22.