<span style="mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin;">[Act on Integrated Support for Community Care Including Medical Cure and Nursing Care] and the Role of Tertiary Hospital in the Republic of Korea

The Republic of Korea is transitioning into a super-aged society. In response to this demographic shift, the Act on Integrated Support for Community Care Including Medical Cure and Nursing Care was passed in 2024, with full implementation scheduled for 2026. This law aims to integrate medical and long-term care services in local communities. Given the growing demand for elderly care, tertiary hospitals are expected to play a key role in the evolving healthcare system, bridging hospital-based care and community-based support. Seoul St. Mary&rsquo;s Hospital, a major tertiary hospital in Korea, formed a multidisciplinary task force to explore its potential contributions to integrated care for an aging society. This study discusses the roles of tertiary hospitals in managing integrated care, particularly in the context of transitional care, home medical services, and the establishment of home medical centers. A key aspect of this role is the involvement of family medicine departments, which are central in coordinating patient care between tertiary hospitals and local communities. The study highlights the importance of collaboration between medical, caregiving, and social welfare professionals, and the need for policy changes to support these efforts. It also explores the potential of digital healthcare, including telemedicine and remote patient monitoring, as key tools for facilitating &ldquo;aging in place.&rdquo; The findings emphasize the need for a holistic, patient-centered approach to healthcare that ensures continuity of care, enhances the role of tertiary hospitals, and fosters a more sustainable healthcare model for Korea&rsquo;s aging population.