Health service utilization, unmet healthcare needs, and the potential of telemedicine services among Korean expatriates

Abstract

BackgroundWith the significant growth of migration and expatriation, facilitated by increased global mobility, the number of Koreans living abroad as of 2016 is approximately 7.4 million (15% of the Korean population). Healthcare utilization or health problems, especially among expatriates in developing countries, have not been well researched despite the various health risks these individuals are exposed to. Consequently, we identified the health utilization patterns and healthcare needs among Korean expatriates in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Uzbekistan.MethodsThis cross-sectional survey examined 429 Korean expatriates living in Vietnam (n = 208), Cambodia (n = 60), and Uzbekistan (n = 161) who had access to the Internet and were living abroad for at least 6 months. A 67-item questionnaire was used, and feedback was received via an online survey program. Stepwise logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate factors associated with unmet healthcare needs and preferences of certain type of telemedicine.ResultsWe found that 45.5% (195/429) of respondents had used medical services in their country of stay. Among those who visited health institutions > 3 times, the most popular choice was general hospitals (39.4%, 15/38); however, they initially visited Korean doctors’ or local doctors’ offices. The most essential criteria for healthcare service facilities was a “skilled professional” (39.3%, 169/429), 42% wanted a health program for chronic disease management, and 30% wanted specialized internal medicine. A substantial number wanted to access telemedicine services and were willing to pay for this service. They were particularly interested in experts’ second opinion (61.5%, 264/429) and quick, 24-h medical consultations (60.8%, 261/429). Having unmet healthcare needs and being younger was strongly associated with all types of telemedicine networks.ConclusionsNearly half of the expatriates in developing countries had unmet healthcare needs. Telemedicine is one potential solution to meet these needs, especially in developing countries.

Health Status and Barriers to Healthcare Access among “Son-in-Law Westerners”: A Qualitative Case Study in the Northeast of Thailand

“…This is similar to previous studies among retired expatriates in other parts of Thailand, which also found that expatriates did not usually have health insurance [22,23]. Another study conducted among Korean expatriates living in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Uzbekistan by Kim et al corroborates this result as well; it showed that only approximately 22% of Korean expatriates possessed health insurance [38]. Furthermore, a study in Saudi Arabia by Alkhamis et al found that 30% of expatriate employees were uninsured or had not yet enrolled in any health insurance schemes, and 79.4% of these uninsured expatriates did not have valid reasons for remaining uninsured [39].…”

Noncommunicable Disease Service Utilization among Expatriate Patients in Thailand: An Analysis of Hospital Service Data, 2014–2018

“…However, evidence from abroad found that less than half of expatriate workers were uninsured. A study among Korean expatriates in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Uzbekistan showed that only 26.6% had no health insurance [ 15 ]. Similarly, in Saudi Arabia, approximately 30% of expatriate employees were not yet enrolled in any health insurance scheme [ 42 ].…”

“…These expatriates comprise a vast range of people, including professionals, students, and those marrying Thai citizens. Some literature refers to this group as “expatriates”, denoting a person leaving their place of birth to live in another country with the purpose of work, study, retirement, having a family, etc., and living in another country for more than three months [ 15 ].…”

Pediatric rheumatology in Africa: thriving amidst challenges

“…There have been various initiatives to help bridge the gap in the pediatric rheumatology workforce [ 34 – 37 ]. This includes the UWEZO project , a collaboration between Kenyan, United Kingdom (UK) and Swedish rheumatologists who trained an estimated 500 physicians and health workers at 11 sites across Kenya [ 38 ].…”