• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.1211-1220
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• 2015

There exists dead zone from the aspects of health equity and health medical equity for maritime personnel. They could not have been benefited from disease prevention and health promotion in comparison with shore personnel due to the restricted medical accessibility caused by long voyage ship operation. Furthermore, the system of health management and medical assistance for maritime personnel is insufficient, the continuous health monitoring system does not exist, nor health diagnosis system, maritime industrial accidents and occupational disease control systems are adequate. The International Maritime Organization and the International Labour Organization recommend their Member Governments to take necessary measures in the management of seafarers' health and diseases through conducting continuous and systematic investigation. Thus, this study intends to propose action strategy and tasks for introducing marine telemedicine system aiming to provide seafarers with health management service for the years to come. The conclusions of this study can be given as follows. First, it is required that a systematic medical service system needs to be provided to promote seafarers' health. Second it is recommended to establish the marine telemedicine system incorporating U-Health technology. Third, it is necessary to revise the relevant laws and regulations to introduce the marine telemedicine system. Fourth, it is also necessary to provide various assistance system at the national level in the furtherance of global marketing of marine telemedicine system.

• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.994-1005
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• 2016

Expansion and spreading of marine telemedicine is rather restricted due to the conflict of laws relating to medical service and lack of provisions in the Seafarers' Act, Medical Service Act, etc. Thus, this study is intended to reveal the current status and problems of marine emergency medical advice system for the furtherance of health care of seafarers and emergency medical assistance conditions and deduce relevant proposals for legislative improvements thereof in order to resolve underlying problems and issues. The results of this study can be summated as follows. First, in respect of directions to provide marine emergency service based on marine telemedicine system, emergency radio medical advice system needs to be strengthened to meet domestic and international instrument, marine telemedicine system needs to be provided through integrating u-Health technology and special marine medical center needs to be established. Second, regarding directions to provide health promotion service based on the marine telemedicine system, a new process of health care service for seafarers needs to be devised and provided involving seafarers' life cycle covering from prior to boarding to after leaving a ship. The conclusions of this study can be given as follows. First, the following new provisions need to be introduced in the Seafarers' Act. (1) The Minister of Oceans and Fisheries and a shipowner shall conduct matters pertaining to preventive health promotion and care for seafarers; (2) a provisions regarding establishment of seafarers' health promotion center by the Minister; (3) a special exemption permitting marine telemedicine service and qualification requirements for marine telemedicine assistant; (4) shipowner's obligation of carrying seafarers' health measuring equipment on board. Second, the relevant provisions regarding medical care persons needs to be revised in such a way that master or chief officer shall be appointed to be in charge of medical care on board. Last but not least, it is also essential to amend and update the minimum standards on drug and medicines to be carried on board and medicine chest and equipment on board.