The Journal of Korean Medicine (대한한의학회지)

The Society of Korean Medicine (대한한의학회)
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A survey on the perception of the role of public health doctors of Korean medicine due to regional health care gaps

지역 의료공백에 따른 공중보건한의사의 역할 관련 인식 조사

  • Eunyoung Choi (Department of Pediatrics, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Hyein Jeong (Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Kyunghee University) ;
  • Harin Kwon (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, College of Korean Medicine, Wonkwang University ) ;
  • Soobo Shim (Association of Public Health Doctors of Korean Medicine) ;
  • Hyelim Lee (Department of Pediatrics, College of Korean Medicine, Daejeon University) ;
  • Kyeong Han Kim (Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Woosuk University)
  • 최은영 (대전대학교 한의과대학 소아과학교실) ;
  • 정혜인 (경희대학교 한의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 권하린 (원광대학교 한의과대학 부인과학교실) ;
  • 심수보 (대한공중보건한의사협의회) ;
  • 이혜림 (대전대학교 한의과대학 소아과학교실) ;
  • 김경한 (우석대학교 한의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Received : 2024.07.26
  • Accepted : 2024.08.19
  • Published : 2024.09.01
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Abstract

Objectives: This study aims to understand the current state of regional healthcare services and explore the role of public health doctors of Korean medicine (PHDKMs) in addressing healthcare disparities. Methods: An online survey was conducted among 951 PHDKMs registered with the Korean Public Health Korean Medicine Doctors Association from July 15 to July 19, 2024. A total of 266 responses were collected, and after removing 2 insincere responses, 264 responses were used for analysis. The survey included questions on the provision of healthcare services and the role of PHDKMs in local healthcare crisis. Results: Out of 264 responses, 85 community health centers and branches (32.2%) lacked public health doctors (PHDs). The traveling clinics were the most common alternative in these cases. Centers without PHDs received 46 complaints (54.1%) about healthcare gaps, while centers with PHDs received 70 complaints (39.1%), showing statistically significant differences. The most common complaints involved consultation and management of chronic elderly diseases. PHDKMs reported being capable of providing musculoskeletal and internal medicine treatments, but identified a need for improvement in emergency response, basic and inflammatory treatments, consultation and management of chronic elderly diseases, administration of medications, and vaccinations. They expressed a high willingness and perceived capability to perform minor medical tasks. Conclusion: The decline in PHDs is adversely affecting regional healthcare. PHDKMs can help address these gaps through expanded roles and additional training. Policymakers should consider better integrating PHDKMs into the public healthcare system to ensure continuous and comprehensive healthcare services in underserved areas.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 연구를 원활히 진행할 수 있도록 설문 개발 및 수행에 도움을 주신 대한공중보건한의사협의회, 한의학정책연구원 관계자 분들께 감사의 뜻을 전합니다.

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