Korea ranks lowest in tech utilization for personal health management among 4 APAC countries: survey < Device/ICT < Article

Philips Korea has unveiled the findings of its recent survey on sustainable healthcare. Conducted in collaboration with the global survey firm Kantar Profiles Network, the study surveyed 3,040 individuals across four Asia-Pacific countries—Korea, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand—to gain insights into the perception of sustainable healthcare in the region.

Among the respondents, 1,019 were from Korea.

The survey aimed to provide insights into strategies that Asia-Pacific healthcare systems can adopt to deliver top-quality medical services while minimizing environmental impacts.

According to the survey, despite recognizing the importance of sustainable healthcare, Korean respondents did not view it as an urgent issue and noted its slow implementation in the country.

Key findings from the survey include that 85 percent of Korean respondents believe climate change affects personal health, and 79 percent consider it important for medical services to be delivered in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

However, only 8 percent ranked sustainable healthcare as an urgent priority, below the four-country average of 15 percent.

Additionally, only 26 percent of Koreans felt that sustainable healthcare solutions were widely or somewhat implemented in their country, the lowest percentage among the four nations surveyed and well below the average of 45 percent

While 94 percent of Koreans acknowledged the importance of technology in achieving sustainable healthcare, awareness, and utilization of related technologies were low.

Traditional methods like recycling programs (26 percent) and proper disposal and management of hazardous waste were more recognized (26 percent), compared to tech-centric solutions like remote monitoring by doctors and nurses (17 percent) and using eco-friendly design solutions and technology to reduce raw material use, scarce resources, and waste (17 percent).

The survey also revealed that Korea had the lowest utilization rate of technology and devices for personal health management at 62 percent.

Moreover, 69 percent of Koreans preferred face-to-face consultations over telehealth, assuming equal convenience and quality of care.

Barriers to adopting or supporting sustainable healthcare included high initial costs (37 percent) and concerns about hygiene when recycling medical supplies (33 percent).

To prioritize sustainable healthcare, respondents highlighted the need for improving accessibility through expanded patient choice (44 percent) and sufficient infrastructure investment (30 percent).

Moreover, many respondents stressed the need for a better understanding of sustainable healthcare.

Thirty-three percent cited confusion about what sustainable healthcare entails and which methods are most effective. Respondents also called for education on simple practices individuals can implement (28 percent) and a greater understanding of the impacts of sustainable healthcare (28 percent) to elevate its priority.

“This survey highlights the need for a better understanding and societal effort to adopt sustainable healthcare systems,” Philips Korea General Manager Park Jae-in said. “Philips is committed to helping healthcare providers care for patients and protect the planet through innovation, design, and sustainability.”

As a leader in health technology, Philips will continue to leverage these insights to advance sustainable healthcare in Korea, the Asia-Pacific region, and globally, Park added.