A home-visit medical program in Gyeonggi Province has served more than 7,000 patients within two months of its launch [1].
The initiative addresses a critical gap in healthcare for residents who cannot travel to hospitals. By bringing clinical services directly to the bedside, the province aims to reduce the burden on patients with severe mobility restrictions and improve long-term health outcomes through consistent monitoring.
The Home Medical Center program deploys multidisciplinary teams consisting of doctors, nurses, and social workers [1]. These teams provide a comprehensive range of services, including medical treatments, the issuance of prescriptions, and professional advice on diet and exercise [1]. The goal is to empower patients to improve their self-management and overall health while remaining in their residences.
In Paju, the program has focused on practical recovery and lifestyle adjustments. Song Dae-hoon, director of the Paju Song Internal Medicine Home Medical Center, said the program helps patients manage their own health, such as by reducing weight to better lift their legs [2].
Patients have reported that the service provides essential relief for those unable to access traditional clinics. One patient said, "I am in a situation where I cannot go to the hospital myself, so it is a great help that they come directly to treat me and provide medical care" [2].
The program operates by integrating clinical care with social support, ensuring that patients receive not only medicine but also the social services necessary to maintain a stable living environment. This approach targets the holistic needs of the elderly and disabled populations in Gyeonggi Province, who often face isolation due to their physical conditions [1].
“The service had already been used by more than 7,000 patients within two months of its launch.”
The rapid adoption of the Home Medical Center program suggests a high latent demand for decentralized healthcare in South Korea's aging population. By shifting the point of care from the clinic to the home, Gyeonggi Province is testing a model that could potentially reduce hospital overcrowding and lower the long-term costs associated with emergency interventions for chronic, unmanaged conditions.
