When selecting digital health applications, Korean users prioritize cybersecurity and personal data protection over therapeutic effectiveness. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 8 (Korea Bizwire) — When selecting digital health applications, Korean users—including doctors, chronic disease patients, and the general public—prioritize cybersecurity and personal data protection over therapeutic effectiveness, according to a new study released by Yonsei University’s Severance Hospital.
The research, led by Professor Shin Jae-yong of the Department of Preventive Medicine at Yonsei University College of Medicine, surveyed 1,093 participants, including 97 physicians, 589 patients with chronic illnesses, and 407 members of the general public.
The study used a choice-based experiment, asking respondents to repeatedly select between two hypothetical health apps based on six varying attributes:
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Number of academic papers verifying effectiveness
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Frequency of health content (e.g., videos, infographics)
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Level of data privacy and security
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User satisfaction ratings
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Government certification status
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Monthly subscription cost
Participants consistently ranked cybersecurity and privacy protection as the most critical factor, regardless of group. This was followed by the number of peer-reviewed publications supporting the app’s effectiveness, user satisfaction, and official certifications. Apps that delivered too much health content were viewed less favorably.
Patients with chronic illnesses placed more weight on evidence-based effectiveness and government approval than the general population. Physicians gave particular emphasis to scientific validation and user satisfaction.
“Health data is a form of highly sensitive personal information,” said Prof. Shin. “The fact that all three groups—doctors, patients, and the public—prioritize security reflects the unique nature of digital health information.”
The study’s findings were published in npj Digital Medicine, a leading international journal in the digital healthcare field.
South Korea has seen rapid growth in digital health technologies, including AI-powered software tools approved by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety for clinical use, such as digital therapeutics for conditions like insomnia. As the market matures, this research highlights the need for trust-building through robust cybersecurity, even above clinical performance.
Ashley Song (ashley@koreabizwire.com)
