earticle

영어

Currently, medical tourism is getting popular globally and many governments are using medical tourism as a successful business model. Though this model is largely successful, there are many incidences where this form of medical services results in conflicts between service providers and patients during and after the treatment episodes. Such conflicts are growing each year due to increased volume of medical tourism. This study targeted Mongolian patients who experienced medical tours to Korea. Main purpose of this research was to investigate the positive and negative aspects of this type of medical services. The case study scrutinized the detail of medical procedures and interpreted based on the legal aspects in case of any conflict. The findings can lead to ease future conflicts. The followings are findings and conclusions from present study on the medical tourism in Korea. 1. Some improvements are needed in the area of overall management procedures, policies to render follow up cares, more clearly defined rules and adherence to the rules during the treatment process for patients of foreign origin. 2. More aggressive advertisement and dissemination of information are necessary regarding the law related to medical tourism, method of conflict resolution for malpractice cases and information about mediation organizations. More preventive measures against inconvenience during the medical tour are needed. 3. Legislative activities regarding medical practices are much advanced in Korea compared to that of Mongolia but there are more rooms for improvement. Continued research and survey of medical tourism practices are suggested to prevent future conflicts and if necessary, revise the law to reflect the reality. 4. Several branches of Mongolian Government including Departments of Justice, Health of Ministry and Medical Service related Organizations are urgently asked to undergo legislation process to handle the ever increasing number of Mongolians traveling to Korea for medical care. By continued in-depth study of this trend, many future conflicts and inconveniences can be resolved. A cooperation between the two nations will be very beneficial in the research of medical tourism including collection, analysis and interpretation of statistics, assisted by the advanced information technology.

한국어

의료관광은 세계적으로 일반화 되어 있고 산업화로 크게 성공한 나라도 있다. 그러나 이에 부수하여 외국인 환자들에게 한국의 병원 방문 및 진료, 진료 후 사후관리와 관련되는 문제점이 다수 발생하고 있고 매년 증가하는 추세다. 이 글은 한국 병원을 찾아오는 외국인환자 중 몽골인 환자들을 선택하여 그들의 의료관광 진행과정에서 발생하는 여러 문제를 소개하고 그 해결 방안을 찾고자 하였다. 몽골에 비해 한국의 의료관광 관련 법제는 앞서 있지만 한국정부는 외국인 환자의 의료서비스관련 문제점을 좀 더 구체적으로 파악하고 그 해결을 위한 지속적 연구와 예방정책 및 법 개정 등을 실시해야 한다고 본다. 그리고 몽골 정부와 관련유관기관에서도 한국의료관광을 떠나는 몽골 환자들에 대한 보호를 위해 법제정비가 필요하다 시급히 마련되어야 한다고 본다.