New Roles of the Professional Nursing in the Era of e-Health/u-Health

e-Health/u-Health 시대를 대비한 간호의 역할 확대

e-Health/u-Health has generally been considered as an expansion of current medical and medical relevant segments. However. as e-Health/u-Health has been known to have typical attributes and characteristics of services supporting a physically and mentally well-balanced life of its users, we can rationally assume that e-Health/u-Health can be not only an expansion of the existing medical field but also a result of the complex and sophisticated convergence among diverse industries such as the ICT industry. traditional care-relevant segments, etc. Thus, in this study, we carefully and cautiously consider e-Health/u-Health in accordance with both possible scenarios: 1) an expansion of a typical industry, and 2) a result of a convergence among various industries. The advent of new technologies, rapid development of current technologies, and convergence trends in various fields are creating dramatic innovations in the next generation health services market. Consumerism as a characteristic of c-Health/u-Health can be expected to find a solution of the existing healthcare service problems. In the initial phase. mainly due to the absence of a vanguard, as well as to various legalistic and regulative limitations, the role of the government would be immensely critical for the successful early settlement of the e-Health/u-Health industry. Both the government and private sector need to practice continuous and effective public education and publicity mainly to increase the overall recognition and usability of e-Health/u-Health services. Nursing as a unique professional discipline should be well aware of the new paradigm shift of the healthcare market, and make maximum use of the possibility of this trend to the advent of the professional nursing's new role.