Objectives : This study aims to suggest directions for resolving the regional imbalance in the healthcare workforce to ensure health equity, using data from a panel survey. Methods : A questionnaire was developed to assess public perceptions regarding the use of Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs) in regional health care. The survey was distributed by a third-party organization, and data were collected and analyzed using frequency analysis with the SPSS program. The primary measurement variable was the respondents' perspectives and expectations concerning the deployment of KMDs as regional medical personnel. Results : A total of 1,004 responses were collected. Regarding the number of doctors in Korea, 63.6% of respondents believed that it should be increased. Additionally, 63.4% supported allowing KMDs to qualify for the national medical examination upon completion of required medical education credits. Furthermore, 67.2% agreed that allowing KMDs to take on a portion of physicians' responsibilities after additional training would contribute to improvements in local public health and health promotion, while 67.4% believed it would aid the development of Korea's public healthcare services. Moreover, 68.8% of respondents agreed that the use of KMDs as regional medical personnel should be legalized. Conclusion : The findings indicate strong public support for utilizing Korean Medicine doctors as part of the regional health care workforce. This study is the first to explore public opinion on this topic and offers valuable insights into the public's expectations for expanding the role of Korean Medicine within the national healthcare system.

Objective : This study aimed to explore the necessity of introducing an integrative curriculum between Western and Korean medicine in primary health care (PHC), with a particular focus on global health policy trends and their implications for Korea's public healthcare system. Methods : A narrative literature review was conducted by analyzing international and domestic policy documents and academic publications. Data were collected from the WHO official reports, PubMed-indexed literature, and Korean government and academic databases (KISS, RISS, NDSL). Literature selection was finalized through researcher consensus and categorized thematically for contextual analysis. Results : Five key findings emerged. First, traditional, complementary, and integrative medicine (TCIM) offers patient-centered and preventive approaches consistent with primary health care (PHC) values, though global institutionalization remains limited. Second, the United States has advanced integrative medicine (IM) education in undergraduate and residency programs, showing gains in knowledge, confidence, and clinical use. Third, Korea's efforts to introduce TCIM into medical curricula have been fragmented, while Korean medicine colleges increasingly incorporate biomedical sciences. Fourth, Korea's PHC and public healthcare setting provides a unique opportunity to pilot integrative curricula through public medical schools. Fifth, such curricula should be competency-based and reflect international principles of evidence, interprofessional teamwork, prevention, sustainability, integrative thinking, and people-centered care. Conclusion : Integrating Western and Korean medicine into PHC-oriented curricula is essential to address Korea's aging population, chronic disease burden, and health inequities. Public medical schools offer a timely platform to implement such integrative education, moving beyond fragmented attempts toward systematic, competency-based training. By aligning with global policy trends, Korea can both strengthen its public healthcare system and contribute as a leading model for integrative medical education worldwide.

Objective : This study aims to investigate the perceptions of the Korean Medicine (KM) doctors and students regarding the integrative physician system, focusing on its feasibility for implementation and identifying potential strategies to ensure successful adoption. Method : Between January and March 2025, eight members of the Korean Medicine(KM) community were purposively sampled for in-depth interviews to explore their perceptions of integrative physicians. The interviewees consisted of five males and three females, ranging in age from their 20s to 60s. Professionally, the group included four licensed KM doctors, two KM professors, and two KM students. All interviews were audio-recorded with informed consent and subsequently transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using a phenomenological approach to capture the essence of participants’ lived experience. Open coding was conducted iteratively by the research team, and meaningful statements were organized into thematic categories. Results : The research participants viewed the concept of integrative physicians as a system that could realize public interest by facilitating patient-centered care and addressing regional disparities in healthcare. While some participants argued that radical changes would be necessary for the practical implementation of the integrative physician system, others emphasized the need for a gradual integration that preserves the identity of KM. Furthermore, some participants suggested that curriculum integration should be prioritized, whereas others proposed the creation of a system that would grant the qualification of a physician after providing additional education to existing KM practitioners. Despite the differing opinions on the realization of the integrative physician system, all participants agreed on its necessity, particularly in the primary care sector, where it could play a pivotal role. Conclusion : This study presents diverse opinions from individuals in the KM community regarding the integrative physician system, offering insights into the need for and implementation of the system. The findings provide foundational data for the KM sector and health authorities.

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the impact of parental characteristics on the Korean Medicine Utilization by their minor children. The primary objective was to identify key parental factors that may promote Korean Medicine Utilization among minor children and contribute to the expansion of Korean Medicine services within this population. Methods : This study utilized beta version of microdata from the 2022 Korean Medicine Utilization Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare and the National Institute for Korean Medicine Development. The sample included 880 parents with minor children under the age of 19. Cross-tabulation analyses were performed to examine parental characteristics. To determine which parental characteristics influence Korean Medicine Utilization by their minor children, both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted using complex survey design weights. Results : Of the 880 respondents, 97 reported that their minor children had used Korean Medicine in the past year, while 783 reported no such use. The results from the univariate logistic regression analysis showed that parental Korean Medicine Utilization significantly increased the likelihood that their minor children would also use Korean Medicine. Furthermore, the multivariate analysis confirmed that parental Korean Medicine Utilization remained a significant predictor even after adjusting for other factors. Conclusions : Parents have a significant influence on the Korean Medicine Utilization of their minor children. Notably, parental characteristics such as their own use of Korean Medicine play a crucial role in determining whether their children utilize Korean Medicine.

Objectives : Degenerative knee osteoarthritis (OA) is among the most frequently treated conditions in traditional Korean medicine (KM). This study was conducted to assess the actual utilization status of KM and Western medicine (WM) for degenerative knee osteoarthritis. Methods : We retrospectively analyzed National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) claims data from 2014 to 2018, identifying patients diagnosed with degenerative knee OA. Demographic and clinical characteristics, healthcare utilization patterns among KM-only, WM-only, and combined Korean-Western medicine (KWM) users, as well as trends in KM treatments, were evaluated. Results : A total of 1,874,243 patients were included (mean age 63.08 ± 9.99 years) : 5.77% used KM only (K-group), 5.33% used both KM and WM (KW-group), and 88.90% used WM only (W-group). Over five years, WM visits increased substantially (1,665,373 to 3,374,069 annually), while KM visits ranged from 258,379 to 328,252 annually. The average time from diagnosis to surgery was 24.57±15.02 months in the KW-group and 12.66±14.61 months in the WM-only group, with an overall average of 15.26±15.50 months. Common KM interventions were acupoint acupuncture (31.59%), intra-articular acupuncture (16.24%), hot/cold therapy (13.87%), and cupping (11.62%). Conclusion : This study offers a comprehensive overview of KM utilization for degenerative knee OA in Korea, emphasizing the treatment burden and prevalent KM practices. The findings provide valuable evidence for future clinical research and healthcare policy development integrating KM into OA management.

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the association of cold hypersensitivity in the hands and feet (CHHF) with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and mental health. Methods : We utilized data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012), including 17,030 adults aged 20 years or older. CHHF was assessed via questionnaire, HRQoL using EuroQol 5 Dimension (EQ-5D), and mental health through average sleep duration, sleep duration range (short/normal/long), suicidal ideation and attempts, stress, and depressive symptoms. Complex sample design was applied, and logistic regression analysis and linear regression analysis were performed. Results : With CHHF group showed significantly lower EQ-5D index (B = -0.019, P<0.001) and EQ-VAS scores (B = -3.141, P<0.001) compared to without CHHF group. Furthermore, with CHHF group exhibited significantly higher odds ratios for reporting 'problems' (level 2 or 3) across all five EQ-5D domains (mobility : 1.367, self-care : 1.677, usual activities : 1.764, pain/discomfort : 1.584, anxiety/depression : 1.801 ; all P<0.001). Additionally, with CHHF group showed significantly higher odds ratios compared to without CHHF group for suicidal ideation (OR : 1.711, P<0.001), depressive symptoms (OR : 1.710, P<0.001), high stress (OR : 1.458, P<0.001), and short or long sleep duration (OR : 1.186, P<0.01). However, no statistically significant differences were observed in average sleep duration or suicide attempts. Conclusion : CHHF is associated with decreased HRQoL and various mental health problems. Therefore, comprehensive evaluation and intervention for mental health should be considered in the clinical management of CHHF.

Objectives : Meditation-based interventions are increasingly recognized as evidence-informed approaches in clinical medicine. However, a comprehensive global analysis of meditation-related clinical trials remains scarce. This study presents the first systematic characterization of meditation trials registered in the World Health Organization International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (WHO ICTRP), aiming to map global trends, cultural and methodological patterns, delivery formats, and international collaboration structures. Methods : A systematic search was conducted via the WHO ICTRP Advanced Search interface on July 6, 2025. After a screening process, trials were analyzed for temporal trends, health conditions, meditation types, program durations, delivery methods, primary outcomes and collaboration networks. Results : From 354 initial trials, 291 meditation-related clinical trials from 27 countries (2006-2025) were analyzed. Annual registrations showed accelerated growth after 2017, peaking at 59 trials in 2024. Mindfulness-based interventions dominated (50.52%), followed by yoga-based approaches (26.12%). Healthy individuals were the most studied population (28.52%), with cancer (9.97%), gynecological conditions (8.59%), and neurological disorders (7.90%) being the most frequent disease categories. Among trials with specified delivery methods, face-to-face delivery was most common (43.05%), though online/virtual approaches showed increasing trends over time. Medium-term programs (5-12 weeks) were most prevalent (57.54%). Cross-sectional analysis of primary outcomes revealed that mental health indicators were predominantly used in healthy populations, while disease-specific measures were prioritized in corresponding patient groups. International collaboration revealed two distinct ecosystems with a US-centered Western network contrasting with independent research traditions in India, China, and Iran. Conclusion : Meditation clinical trials demonstrate rapid growth and expanding therapeutic applications beyond mental health into preventive health promotion and diverse medical conditions. The field shows dual characteristics of evidence-based medical integration and cultural diversity in research approaches. These findings provide essential baseline data for future meditation research prioritization and clinical policy development.