• Journal of Fisheries and Marine Sciences Education
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.1508-1516
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• 2016

This research intended to analyse the perception level of seafarers in order to propose enhancement of health management for seafarers and improvement of marine telemedicine assistance system. To this end, questionnaire survey was conducted for 422 seafarers in relation to current status of utilizing Emergency Medical Advice by radio(EMAR). By trading area, experience of benefiting EMAR by coastal seafarers was higher than that of ocean-going seafarers. By kinds of ships the rate of utilizing EMAR by fisherman was higher than that of seafarers of merchant ships. The level of satisfaction on the EMAR was 14.9% and regarded to be very low while the answering rate of necessity and urgency toward introducing marine telemedicine assistance system for the future through utilizing telemedicine equipment what is called U-helath including motion pictures information was very high. The answering rate of willingness to provide their personal health information positively when introducing marine telemedicine system was very high(97.4%). It is thus necessary to permit marine telemedicine service system, establish service model of marine telemedicine through conducting demonstration projects, promote marine telemedicine actively at the level of government, etc.

• 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.