GYEONGGI-DO

International Healthcare Center at Seoul National University Bundang Hospital (SNUBH) to focus on providing non-face-to-face healthcare services for the post-COVID era

 

 

 

In a time with numerous limitations in basic healthcare services, recently, non-face-to-face treatment, including the use of digital platforms such as video calls, has been gaining traction. As the WHO has recognized Korea's K-quarantine model as a best practice for containing the spread of COVID-19, the world has become more interested in K-medicine. To receive the high-quality healthcare services offered in Korea, more and more patients from around the world have begun making a number of inquiries about non-face-to-face treatment from Korean medical staff.

 

Against this backdrop, Seoul National University Hospital Bundang (SNUBH, President and CEO Paik Nam-Jong) located in Bundang, Gyeonggi-do, had already opened the International Healthcare Center for foreign patients in 2014. The center has provided non-face-to-face healthcare seminars and more healthcare services of the highest quality for foreign patients in the community and around the world, to become a leader in providing Korean healthcare services to the world.

 

SNUBH, a tertiary university hospital with 1,360 wards, provides healthcare services to over 1.6 million patients annually with its 12 specialist centers, 35 departments, and over 2,700 doctors and nurses. With continuous research and development, the hospital continues to maintain its position as one of the top five hospitals in Korea according to surveys and evaluations for hospitals around the world.

 

In particular, SNUBH was recognized for its excellent healthcare expertise at a global level, as it became the first organization in Korea to receive the Global Healthcare Accreditation (GHA), which is given to innovative organizations that serve foreign patients. With the GHA, SNUBH stands on par with world-renowned hospitals including the Cleveland Clinic in the USA and Bumrungrad International Hospital in Thailand.

 

 

 

To ensure that foreign patients can adapt well to the unfamiliar medical environment of a foreign country and focus only on receiving treatment, the needs of the patients are met from multiple aspects. SNUBH has implemented a unique and comprehensive healthcare model that includes not only providing treatment, but offering assistance in reservations, payment, review and administration services, interpretation and medical escorts, and counseling services. The comprehensive healthcare model has contributed to greater patient satisfaction levels.

 

In addition, as a tertiary referral hospital, the International Healthcare Center at SNUBH has maintained a long partnership with the US troops stationed in Korea. Recently, it has entered a closely-knit cooperative relationship with the 65th Medical Brigade. The hospital provides free shuttle buses to and from Camp Humphreys, direct telephone lines, and has prepared detailed processes to provide care for US soldiers in case of emergencies.

 

Expressing his satisfaction with the offered services, Brady Hansen from the Osan Air Base said, “I loved everyone at the International Healthcare Center. By the end of my appointment, it felt like we were very close friends. I was guided through every step of the way, so I did not feel lost or alone. I would like to thank all the medical staff from the International Healthcare Center of Seoul National University Hospital Bundang.”

 

Cayden Flowers, who also received COVID-19 treatment at SNUBH, said, “I have been to a number of hospitals while I was receiving COVID-treatment for such a long time, but the International Healthcare Center of Seoul National University Hospital Bundang was definitely the best.” He added, “The staff really understood my conditions, and was very patient during the entire treatment. I was always accompanied by someone, so I would not feel lost or confused, or fall into a panic even during the busy hours. It felt like the staff truly cared for my health and love what they do. I strongly recommend this hospital.”

 

A staff member from the International Healthcare Center of Seoul National University Hospital Bundang expressed, “We focus on providing passionate healthcare and services of the best quality for all patients and family members in a warm and friendly environment. Everyone is dedicated to giving a warm welcome and excellent healthcare services for foreign patients. In this way, the patients will remember their experience at our hospital as a comfortable experience, like they are at home, in their own countries.”

 

The International Healthcare Center of Seoul National University Hospital Bundang will continue to plan and provide non-face-to-face healthcare seminars for patients in Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and all parts of the world, to provide more non-face-to-face healthcare services during the post-COVID era. Based on these efforts, the hospital also plans to become a leader in sharing the excellence of Korea’s medical technology.