Abstract
This study is conducted to compare how the Western.Oriental medical practitioners and health professionals perceive reciprocal development strategies respectively of Western.Oriental Medicine in Korea. A total of 3,273 persons were questioned by direct distribution, e-mail, and mail with a self-developed questionnaire. Of those questioned, 362 responded (the response rate of 11.1%), and of them n persons (Western medical practitioners 206, Oriental medical practitioners 90, and health professionals 64) were analyzed with SPSS for Windows. The results were as follows： The need for legislation on the mutual development system for Western.Oriental Medicine was recognized by 66.9% (218 persons) of respondents. Among them, largest group who agreed with this need was the health professionals. Western medical practitioners chose the "the difference of approach methods on the diseases between Western.Oriental Medicine" as their response, and Oriental medical practitioners ＆ health professionals selected "the indifference or bias of Western medical practitioners"as the reasons for the inactivity in developing a mutual system of Western.Oriental Medicine. Therefore, Western medical practitioners and health professionals selected the category of "the reformation of educational system", while Oriental medical practitioners selected the category of "the activation of joint research on Western.Oriental medical care" as the most important condition for setting a precedent. Also, Western medical practitioners preferred "cooperative health care system for Western medical care supported by Oriental medical care", but Oriental medical practitioners and health professionals preferred “cooperative health care system of Western.Oriental medicine on equal terms" In conclusion, Western '||'&'||' Oriental medical practitioners have to make every effort to close the gap between differing views through mutual understanding and respect if joint research of Western.Oriental medical care is to become a reality. The government should continuously enforce the health policy on development of a legal and systematic infrastructure for mutual development strategy of Western.Oriental Medicine in Korea.strategy of Western.Oriental Medicine in Korea.
