• Title/Summary/Keyword: Complementary and Alternative medicine

Search Result 384, Processing Time 0.024 seconds

Impact of Complementary Private Health Insurance on Public Health Spending in Korea (실손형 민간의료보험의 도입이 국민건강보험 재정에 미치는 영향)

  • Huh, Soon-Im;Lee, Sang-Yi
    • Health Policy and Management
    • /
    • v.17 no.2
    • /
    • pp.1-17
    • /
    • 2007
  • Limited coverage for health care services of National Health Insurance(NHI) in Korea has been ongoing policy issue but additional NHI financing through raising contribution or taxes in order to improve coverage faces substantial obstacles. Private health insurance(PHI) is often considered as an alternative financing source to improve coverage. Recent reform that attempted to stretch the role of PHI allowed life insurance companies to provide complementary PHI, indemnity plan which will pay for uncovered services by NHI and out-of-pocket spending for covered services. Although complementary PHI may relieve financial burden of patients, it may significantly raise NHI spending as well as total health expenditure since little out-of-pocket spending may increase utilization of health care. So far, there has not been enough discussion about concerns of potential adverse effect resulting from extended role of PHI. This study investigated potential increase of NHI spending followed by extension of complementary PHI through sensitivity analysis. The amount of NHI spending for services that would be covered by complementary PHI was calculated using 2005 NHI statistics and expected complementary PHI enrollment rate by age and sex. Expected utilization increases were obtained based on price elasticities$(-0.2{\sim}-0.5)$ from previous studies and expected coverage rate$(50{\sim}80%)$ of complementary PHI and then converted to monetary figures. Because coverage rate of complementary PHI has not been determined yet, we employed the sensitivity analysis using coverage rate of $50{\sim}80%$. Findings demonstrate that additional spending for health care services is expected to be $426{\sim}1,702$ billion won, corresponding amount payed by NHI $298{\sim}1,192$ billion won. In conclusion, since complementary PHI may raise NHI spending significantly, there should be an agreement whether this additional cost would be accountable and acceptable in our society. Potential inefficiency resulting from extended role of complementary PHI should be considered since public and private financing do not operate in isolation and there should be more discussion on proper role of PHI in Korea.

The Place of Complementary Medicine in the Treatment of Autistic Children

  • Konac, Ozgur Taskiran;Baldemir, Ercan;Inanc, Betul Battaloglu;Kara, Bilge;Topal, Yasar;Topal, Hatice
    • Journal of Pharmacopuncture
    • /
    • v.19 no.1
    • /
    • pp.28-36
    • /
    • 2016
  • Objectives: The purpose of this study is to achieve a vision for autistic children and their parents aimed at generating interest in ideas such as "Sanitas Per Aquam" (SPA), massage and music therapy, which has begun to have widespread use and to attract attention. Methods: This cross-sectional, descriptive study was carried out with autistic children and their parents from February to April 2015 in $Mu{\breve{g}}la$, Turkey. The study was began by interviewing experts in the field and by developing a suitable assessment questionnaire. In order to direct the flow of conversation between the researchers and the autisitc children and their parents, the researchers conducted semi-structured face to face interviews in a form that had been determined by using reports in the literature and the opinions of experts in the field. Results: Forty two boys (84%) and eight girls (16%) with autism participated in our study. Children in the 0 - 7 age group spent long time in the bathroom (P = 0.001). Boys liked to be hugged more than girls (P = 0.01). Children ages 0 - 7 years liked bright lighting while those 15 years of age and older liked gloomy lighting (P = 0.009). Except for these statistically significant sex- and age-related differences, no other statistically significant differences were noted in the parameters of this study. Although the result was not statistically significant, more children with mild autism disorder obeyed commands like inhale or exhale (P = 0.051). Conclusion: Treatment for autism spectrum disorders is not yet fully possible, so many studies are being done to alleviate some symptoms and to improve the quality of life for individuals with autism and their families. As a result of our study, whether touching the areas the children want touched and listening to their favorite music are required to stimulate the brain remain as questions in our minds.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatment for Burns and Sequela : A Scoping Review of Randomized Controlled Trials (화상 및 후유증의 보완 대체 의학 치료 : 무작위 대조 시험에 대한 주제범위 문헌고찰)

  • Byung-Soo Kang;Seok-Yeong Yoon;Min-Yeong Jung;Soo-Yeon Park;Jung-Hwa Choi;Jong-Han Kim
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
    • /
    • v.36 no.3
    • /
    • pp.42-73
    • /
    • 2023
  • Objectives : In order to investigate the current status of recent clinical evidence related to complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) treatment for burns and to inform research and treatment strategies for future, we publish a scoping review(ScR) of randomized controlled trials(RCTs). Methods : The research question of the ScR was "Are there any RCTs of CAM treatment for burn?". RCTs published from 2000 to 2022 were identified in 7 databases(PubMed, Cochrane, CNKI, OASIS, RISS, KCI, KMbase) in March 2023. Data were tabulated and analyzed descriptively with respect to the research questions. Results : 41 RCTs were included. 21(51.2%) were conducted in China, 13(31.7%) in Iran. The main treatment criteria were herbal medicine in 28 cases, acupuncture in 9 cases, chuna therapy in 4 cases, and psychotherapy in 3 cases. Among the herbal medicine, there were 19 topical medications, 5 injections(intravenous pharmacopuncture), 4 aerosol drugs(aromatherapy), and 1 oral drug. Among the acupuncture, there were 4 plum blossom needles(seven-star needles), 2 wrist-ankle acupunctures, 2 press needles, and 1 electroacupuncture. CAM treatments were effective in treating burns. It reduced pain and pruritus at the burn site, helped recovery and management of the donor site, reduced anxiety and pain during dressing change, improved hematological problems and vital signs, and finally lowered the mortality rate. CAM treatments also lowered health care costs. Conclusions : CAM treatments for burns is prospective, and that it deserves to make high-quality studies including additional large-scale RCTs.

Aromatherapy of Patients with Chronic Diseases (만성 질환자의 건강문제와 아로마 요법)

  • Kim, Myung-Ja;Park, Hyung-Sook;Song, Hyo-Jeong
    • Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
    • /
    • v.10 no.1
    • /
    • pp.25-33
    • /
    • 2003
  • In this paper, we checked health problems of outpatients who suffered from cancer, apoplexy, and arthritis. After accessing each patients condition, in order to alleviate their sufferings, we introduced several methods of aroma therapy as a holistic approach to these health problems. Aromatherapy, which can be defined as a nature-friendly complementary / alternative method, has its great merit in its easy way of treatment by the family member of patient or patient himself. Recently, it was scientifically proved that aroma therapy has various curative effects. The easiness of applying aroma therapy is full of suggestions concerned with the future of nursing science. Recently, in the domain of home care nursing, there happened a fundamental change in its structure: a change from the supplier/professional-centered to the consumer/patient-centered one. With this change, home care nursing as a cherished desire of nursing science obtained its legal ground in the established medical programs and, in the same context, patients came to have the chance to receive demanded medical services in their home without going through complicated hospital admission procedures. Considering the future status of home care nursing as a major contributor in the consumer-centered structure of medical health service, aroma therapy as a complementary/alternative method is expected to contribute not only to establishing more effective structure of health service supply but also to resolving chronic health problem of outpatients.

  • PDF

A Case Note on the Medical Negligence of Traditional Chinese Herbal Medicine in the UK

  • Lee, Hai Woong
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.18 no.3
    • /
    • pp.105-115
    • /
    • 2014
  • Objective : Traditional medicine (TM) has been playing its role in national healthcare system and it is taken as complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) from the viewpoint of modern Western medicine. In the UK, not a few practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) are working as CAM practitioners using herbal medicine and acupuncture therapy. Cases of dispute in the TCM practice are not rare these days because patients who take TCM service are increasing by year. Method : In the UK, dispute cases of the Traditional Medicine of East Asia can be found these days, however, it is hard to find a reported court case. A medical dispute case of TCM will be analysed to see the legal management and the resolving principle in the alternative medicine practice with some cases of Korean Medicine (KM) being discussed. Results : The usual pattern of clinical negligence can be discussed from the points of a duty of care, breach of that duty by negligence, and the harm to the patient from that breach of duty. The judge followed this procedure In this case to discuss the claims. The department of health proposed to introduce regulation to provide the reasonable quality in TCM practice, and the governmental system would be essential to regulate both the TCM practice and practitioners. Conclusion : The dispute case of traditional Chinese herbal medicine (TCHM) practice is important for the clinical negligence in TCHM practice. Judging the negligence of a TCHM practitioner involves the conventional negligence principle in tort law, and the TCHM practitioners are required to keep up with the up-to-date information on the related medical specialty. The reasoning is almost the same as that shown in the court case of Korea. The TCHM practice in the UK needs to be under the regulation by the government. The standard of care we expect of a TCHM practitioner is a further matter to discuss from the healthcare and social viewpoints.

Role of Botanicals in the Prevention of Cancer

  • Wargovich Michael J.
    • Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
    • /
    • 2002.10a
    • /
    • pp.47-54
    • /
    • 2002
  • Many cultures have traditions that encompass the use of herbs, spices, and other plants for medicinal purposes. From the ancient past to the present medicinal knowledge has been passed down to new generations in the form of shamans, medicine men, healers, and the like. In the past decade there has been a surge of scientific interest in complementary and alternative medicine, much of which has its origins in traditional medicine. It has been recognized for some time that dietary patterns and content affect cancer risk. Epidemiological studies have strongly suggested that the fruit and vegetable content of the diet associates with reduced risk for colon, lung, prostate, and other cancers. Many different types of cellular mechanisms have been postulated by which compounds in botanicals can prevent cancer. Mechanisms particular to the prevention of colon cancer will be addressed in this review.

  • PDF

Purification and Characterization of Complement-activating Acidic Polysaccharides from the Fruits of Capsicum annuum

  • Paik, Soon-Young;Ra, Kyung-Soo;Chang, In-Seop;Park, Yoon-Chang;Park, Hee-Sung;Baik, Hyung-Suk;Yun, Jong-Won;Choi, Jang-Won
    • BMB Reports
    • /
    • v.36 no.2
    • /
    • pp.230-236
    • /
    • 2003
  • Hot water-soluble crude polysaccharide (HCAP-0) that was obtained from the fruits of Capsicum annuum showed potent anti-complementary activity. The activity was unchanged by pronase digestion, but decreased by periodate oxidation. The HCAP-0 was fractionated by DEAE ion-exchange chromatography to give two major fractions, HCAP-II and III. These two fractions were finally purified by gel filtration to give HCAP-IIa, HCAP-IIIa1, and IIIa2 fractions that had high anti-complementary activities. The HCAP-IIIa1 and IIIa2 consisted of homogeneous polysaccharides. The anti-complementary activities were unaffected by treatment with polymyxin B, indicating that the modes of complement activation were not due to preexisting lipopolysaccharide. The molecular weight and sugar content of HCAP-IIIa2 had potent anti-complementary activity. The highest yields were 55 kDa and 75.9%, and the molar ratio of galactose (Ara:Gal, 1.0:4.6) was higher than other sugars. The crossed immuno-electrophoresis showed that both classical and alternative pathways were activated by HCAP-IIIa2.

Use of Korean Medicine among Cancer Patients (암 환자의 한의학 치료 이용 현황)

  • Choi, Yu-Jin;Lee, Ji-Su;Cho, Seung-Hun
    • The Journal of Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.33 no.3
    • /
    • pp.46-53
    • /
    • 2012
  • Objectives: Many cancer patients have been using Korean medicine with conventional medical care. This study aimed to look into current status of Korean medicine in cancer patients in Korea. Methods: We reviewed utilization of Korean medicine for cancer by searching DB (KoreaMed, KMbase, KISS, NDSL, KISTI, National Assembly Library, OASIS, Korean Traditional Knowledge Portal). The first search keyword used was "cancer" and the second keyword used was either "oriental", "alternative" or "complementary". Results: The utilization rate of Korean medicine was 31.0%. In terms of patient's disease characteristics, most of them were suffering from stomach cancer, lung cancer and colon cancer. Most of them were diagnosed as fourth stage of cancer. Ginseng (14.8%) was a favorite Korean medicine, followed by medicinal treatment (8.1%), acupuncture (3.1%), moxibustion (3.0%), and cupping (2.1%). Conclusions: In Korea, one third of cancer patients are using Korean medicine. We need to know the expectations and demand for Korean medicine for treating cancer and establish our strategy to attract public attention.

Integrated Medical Perspective View on Forest Healing Instructor Training Program and Curriculum Development (통합 의료적 관점에서 바라 본 산림치유 지도사 양성 교육과정 개발안)

  • Lee, Min Sun;Baek, Tae Sun;Shin, Hee Sung;Lee, Wang Lim;Park, Su Jin;Park, Chan Woo;Yeo, Sang Hee;Lee, Sung Jae
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
    • /
    • v.11 no.8
    • /
    • pp.227-234
    • /
    • 2013
  • The purpose of the study is to realize and develop the healing process that applies the Forest Healing Program to complementary and alternative therapies within the integrated medical health care place call ' Healing Forest'. Various healing programs need to develope and distribute to educate tentatively name ' Forest Healing Instructor' whom will be the key roll player on the program. Hereupon, collected the feedback of the program from 20 of professors, health care professionals and complementary alternative related professionals who are deeply related on the dendrology using Delphi examine. The study suggests the professional, who knows on dendrology, base medicine knowledge and healing power, Forest Healing Instructor Course includes education and assessment method base on education subject, course complete scope, instructor curriculum, education goal and education operation process. The Journal of Digital Policy & Management. This space is for the of your study in English.

Review of Clinical Research for Herbal Medicine in the Treatment of Influenza Compared with Oseltamivir (Oseltamivir를 투약한 양성대조군과 비교한 인플루엔자의 한약 치료 효과 - RCT 연구를 중심으로 -)

  • Jang, Eun Ha;Min, Sang Yeon;Kim, Jang Hyun
    • The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.33 no.3
    • /
    • pp.1-14
    • /
    • 2019
  • Objectives The purpose of this study is to analyze clinical studies on effectiveness of herbal medicine in influenza compared with Oseltamivir. Methods We searched the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) with herbal medicine treatment on influenza compared to Oseltamivir from the Pubmed, CNKI, OASIS, NDSL, J-stage, and CiNii. Results 14 out of 717 studies were selected and analyzed. The herbal medicine treatment had a significant effects on the alleviation of fever, cough, sore throat than the Oseltamivir control treatment. Herbal medicine had same therapeutic effectiveness like Oseltamivir on duration of influenza-like symptoms and viral shedding. No serious adverse reactions were reported from the herbal medicine treatment. Conclusions The results of these trials showed that the herbal medicine may be more effective than the Oseltamivir in the treatment of influenza. Well-designed RCTs for domestic herbal medicine treatment on influenza are needed to prove its efficacy clearly.