Providing the best medical tourism service in the region for foreign patients
“We will do our best to continue to lead global healthcare services in the region with the largest international medical center in the region along with the relocation of Dongsan Hospital Bible in 2019.”
Professor of medical tourism coordinator, who has been in charge of the International Medical Center at Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital since September 1, 2019, introduced the International Medical Center, saying, “The sky is blocked by the COVID-19 pandemic and the world is frozen, but foreign patients are constantly looking for it.”
Keimyung University Dongsan Hospital, located in Dalseo-gu, Daegu, attracts more than 10,000 patients from various countries, including foreign patients living in Korea every year, of which 6,000 are using various services at the International Medical Center.
In particular, professional coordinators who can speak English and Russian manage patients’ reservations, medical treatment, examination, surgery interpretation, medication guidance, storage and document issuance, insurance claims and complaints, and are very satisfied with foreign patients.
Director Ryu continued to introduce the International Medical Center. Dongsan Hospital signed an official medical agreement with the U.S. Eighth Army Command in June 2006, making it the only “foreign clinic” in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do.
As Dongsan Hospital, which provides foreign insurance services on behalf of foreigners, introduced differentiated services, the number of foreign visitors increased rapidly, and it was officially promoted to an international medical center in line with the globalization of medical services.
Currently, Ryu, the head of the center, one team leader, one medical tourism part leader, and four international medical coordinators reside here to provide world-class medical services to foreigners living in Korea or traveling in Korea.
In addition, efforts are being made to minimize linguistic, psychological, and cultural barriers so that foreign patients can use the hospital with confidence.
“We provide the first and most global insurance company billing agency services among university hospitals in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do for the convenience of foreign patients,” said Ryu, head of the center. “We are doing our best to improve patients’ medical access and convenience by signing a debit network contract with the U.S. military.”
Most of the patients who visited the International Medical Center are classified as medical tourism patients who visit overseas for treatment, including the U.S. Forces Korea in Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do. Patients of various nationalities visit hospitals with various diseases such as internal medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, orthopedic surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and dermatology, from minor colds to severe diseases that require surgery.
Due to the nature of providing services from before foreign patients visit hospitals to return home or after returning home, the function of the international medical center is a microcosm of hospitals specialized for foreign patients except for medical treatment.
Dongsan Hospital has been active as a leading medical institution for medical tourism in Daegu, leading the domestic medical tourism sector, which has been active since 2010.
It has also been selected for eight consecutive years for the establishment of overseas bases and marketing support projects for leading medical tourism institutions in Daegu.
“The International Medical Center is at the center of this,” said Ryu, who stressed, “We are performing all the essential functions necessary for the entire treatment process, from administrative tasks such as planning, promotion, marketing, international exchange, and signing agreements to attract patients from abroad.”
He also explained, “We are increasing satisfaction through specialized concierge services such as visa issuance support, exchange service for medical tourism patients and guardians, aviation and accommodation reservation and transportation support, and tourism and shopping guidance for the first time in the region.”
