Video Consultations for Patients Traveling Internationally for Medical Care: An Observational Study of a Tertiary Hospital in South Korea

Abstract

With the rise in patients traveling worldwide for medical treatment in recent years, the importance of patient care continuum has become increasingly evident. We aimed to analyze the role of video consultations in facilitating medical care for patients traveling internationally for medical care in South Korea. In this retrospective study, data were gathered on video consultations for international medical travelers conducted between January 2021 and December 2023 at a single tertiary hospital. We analyzed information on patient demographics, the content of video consultation, and how these factors were associated with the patient's decision to travel for treatment. A total of 16.5% of international medical travel patients who underwent video consultation subsequently traveled for treatment. Patients who engaged directly with the institution were more likely (aOR 5.74, [95% CI 1.20-27.33]) to travel for treatment compared to those who relied on domestic or international travel services. Additionally, patients who participated in follow-up video consultations were more likely (aOR 4.06, [95% CI 1.04-15.92]) to travel compared to those who underwent their first video consultation. International medical travel patients utilized video consultations for a range of medical conditions, with the likelihood of subsequent treatment travel being associated with both the medium through which consultations were initiated and prior experience with the institution.

Keywords: international medical travel; medical tourism; online healthcare; video consultation.

Figure 1

Patient workflow of video consultation.