title: Fifteen-year Experience with Telemedicine Services in Gangwon Province in Korea.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study attempted to identify the factors that contribute to successful telemedicine service. This was done by analyzing the operational state of successful telemedicine services offered in Gangwon Province of Korea and their outcome for the last fifteen years.
  
  
  METHODS
  A comparative analysis was made based on reports and a thesis on the satisfaction rate of patients and providers, patient compliance to treatment, and economic assessment of Gangwon telemedicine service, which were carried out in three periods: the years 2006, 2010, and 2012.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The satisfaction surveys in all three periods showed similar results for patients (4.46±0.70 point) and healthcare practitioners, including nurses (3.82±0.62 point) and physicians (3.60±0.56 point), in decreasing order from the year 2012. Through the survey of patients' compliance with treatment, it was confirmed that telemedicine services increased patients' compliance with drug administration, facilitated improvement of lifestyle habits, improved glycated hemoglobin for patients with diabetes mellitus, and enhanced the rate of blood pressure control. In the survey conducted on patients' willingness to pay for telemedicine services in 2007, it was found that those patients were willing to pay about $3.5 for services.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The telemedicine services of Gangwon Province increased patients' compliance with drug administration, improved blood glucose control, enhanced blood pressure control for patients with hypertension, and provided economic advantage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyung-Gi
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea. ; Gangwon Telemedicine Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Moo-Eob
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Graduate School, Hallym University, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Young-A
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun-Hi
authors.initials: EH
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Department of Emergency Medicine, Hallym University Chuncheon Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Dong-Won
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Gangwon Telemedicine Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Se-Gye
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Shin
authors.affiliation: Gangwon Telemedicine Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Suk
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Gangwon Telemedicine Center, Hallym University College of Medicine, Chuncheon, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Han
keywords: Cost Benefit Analysis; Patient Compliance; Patient Satisfaction; Rural Health Services; Telemedicine