HEALTH LITERACY AND ACCESS TO INFORMATION OF KOREAN ELDERLY IN SEOUL

Abstract

This research examined the current healthcare insurance system for the elderly in South Korea according to international patient-centered frameworks. This research mainly focused on health literacy and access to health information. This research applied both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Questionnaire was used as research instrument for quantitative approach, while interview was used as research instrument for qualitative approach. The questionnaire was collected from 81 senior citizens of South Korea, while interview was collected from five senior citizens of South Korea. Furthermore, data collected from questionnaire were analysed using descriptive statistics and Chi square, while data collected from interview were analysed using content analysis. The result showed that South Korea current health insurance system does not really facilitate the sort of collaborative care processes recommended by international patient-centered frameworks. There is rare evidence that seniors are encouraged to take an active role in their own disease prevention and self-care activities or the development of community health services and health-related policies. The result also indicated that many elderly Koreans have less health literacy in a number of key areas. Besides, health literacy is dependent upon access to information, and the formats in which information is typically provided create access barriers for Korean seniors. These results imply that South Korea's government and healthcare organizations should develop new strategies for the provision of health-related information that suitable for senior people.