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

BACKGROUND With 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 METHODS This 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 RESULTS We 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 CONCLUSIONS Nearly half of the expatriates in developing countries had unmet healthcare needs Telemedicine is one potential solution to meet these needs especially in developing countries