Socio-economic impact of the mHealth adoption in managing diabetes

ABSTRACT

The increasing prevalence of prediabetes and diabetes has become a serious problem in Korea. This study aims to compare the effects of various policy options for mHealth proliferation for managing and preventing diabetes. To this end, we simulate the plausible possibility of mHealth using system dynamics modelling. There are several important findings of this study that are helpful to policy makers’ decisions. First, innovative healthcare delivery through mHealth has a positive influence on health to significantly reduce prediabetes and diabetes. Moreover, the gap between the healthcare system with and without mHealth increases over time. Second, the effectiveness of mHealth adoption depends on the timing of implementation of institutional reforms. Finally, mHealth adoption can stimulate national economic growth as the demand for a new healthcare system rises.

KEYWORDS:

• mHealth
• system dynamics
• diabetes
• institutional reform

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Won-Sik Hwang Won-Sik Hwang received a B.S. and a M.S. in electrical and computer engineering from the Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea, and a Ph.D. from the Technology Management, Economics, and Policy Program at Seoul National University, Korea. He has worked in Korea Institute for Industrial Economics and Trade as an associate research fellow. His research interests include healthcare, R&D and economic modelling.

Youn-Hee Choi Youn Hee Choi received a Ph.D. degree from the Interdisciplinary Program for Biochemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Graduate School of Engineering, Seoul National University, Korea. She is a senior research fellow in the Korean Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade (KIET) of Korea. Most of her work is related with the policies and institutions to promote competitiveness of the Korean high-tech industry, especially Bio and Healthcare Industry.

Notes

1 These regulations are based on Article 21 and 34 of Medical Service Act and Article 23 of Personal Information Protection Act.

2 http://kosis.kr/.

3 Please refer to the announcement of the Ministry of Strategy and Finance, which is available at http://www.mosf.go.kr/nw/nes/detailNesDtaView.do?menuNo=4010100&searchNttId1=OLD_4096802&searchBbsId1=MOSFBBS_000000000028 Accessed 14 February 2018.