Background: South Korean government is currently in progress of expanding the coverage of telemedicine\nprojects as part of an attempt to vitalize service industry, but is facing fierce opposition from KMA. Practice of\ntelemedicine requires sufficient discussions among related parties. Although the participation of medical specialists\nis important, agreement from the public is essential.\nMethods: Three main tertiary care centers in Seoul were selected for data collection. A total of 224 patients\n(patients n = 180, patient guardian n = 44) and medical professionals (n = 41) were selected using simple random\nsampling. Mixed method of quantitative survey and qualitative semi-interview was used.\nResults: This study analyzed patients� and medical professionals� perception about the application of telemedicine in\ncardiology ward in tertiary care centers to provide baseline data when developing and applying telemedicine services.\nResults implied high need for encouraging telemedicine projects in order to appeal needs among population by\nproviding experience (p < 0.001) and knowledge (p < 0.001). Other results showed that the need for\nelectrocardiography monitoring was high among not only in remote areas but also in areas close to the capital. 64.52%\nof all participants thought that telemedicine was needed, and 73.21% of participants were willing to use telemedicine\nservice if provided. Semi-interviews revealed that participants expected more cost and time saving services through\nremote treatment, by not having to visit long distance hospitals frequently.\nConclusions: Research results oppose Korean Medical Association�s opinion that the population is against enforcing\ntelemedicine related laws. The findings in this study reflect an up-to-date perception of telemedicine among patients\nand medical professionals in a tertiary care centers� cardiology ward. Moreover, the study provides a baseline that is\nneeded in order to overcome past failures and to successfully implement telemedicine in South Korea.
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