• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.103-115
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this survey was to investigate the need for new medical devices based on opinions of members of the Korean medical society. Methods: We distributed two independent questionnaires sequentially over two-week intervals to 16,510 doctors via the Korean Medical Society, and received replies from 888 and 928 doctors, respectively. The survey was carried out through a web-based questionnaire system. The first questionnaire focused on demand for new diagnostic and therapeutic medical devices that are specific for Korean medicine (KM). In contrast, the second questionnaire focused on demand for new hybrid medical devices which are useful both in Western medicine (WM) and KM. Results: In purchase intention of Korean medical devices (KMDs), demand for diagnostic devices was greater than for therapeutic ones. Among diagnostic devices, the purchase intention of 'imaging devices' ranked the highest and was followed by 'musculoskeletal diagnostic devices'. Among therapeutic KMDs, the purchase intention of 'musculoskeletal treatment devices' ranked the highest, followed by 'cranial nerve rehabilitation devices'. In the purchase intention of hybrid medical devices that can be used both in WM and KM, 'ultrasonic-based medical device' ranked the highest, followed by 'MRI-based medical device'. Conclusions: There is increasing demand for clinically useful medical devices among Korean medical doctors. Within demand for new devices, hybrid devices that can be used in both WM and KM were most strongly desired. This survey will be useful in establishing strategic plans for the development of medical devices in KM. Keywords: Korean medicine, medical device, demand survey, questionnaire.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.122-137
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• 2021

Objectives: In South Korea, traffic accident victims can be treated under automobile insurance coverage. Korean medicine (KM) clinics have reported the largest number of automobile insurance fee claims among medical institutions. This study investigated the status of the KM automobile insurance system in a single KM clinic. Methods: We retrospectively surveyed the medical charts of 342 traffic accident patients treated at the Jisung KM clinic between January 2009 and June 2017. Results: Most of the patients were men and in their 30s. The most common method of locating the clinic was an internet search. The most common traffic accident type was collision between vehicles (83.63%), with 70.76% of patients visiting during the most acute phase. The major disease codes included S434, M4836, F072, S0600, and S3350. The most frequent treatment period was within 1 month of the accident, and most patients received 10 or fewer treatments. The mean treatment duration and number of treatments were 37.68 ± 45.11 days and 11.68 ± 10.63 treatments, respectively. The initial pain numerical rating scale (NRS), 7.32 ± 0.96, decreased to 3.57 ± 1.40 at the end of treatment, with a symptom improvement score of 1.87 ± 0.60. Regarding sex, age, disease duration, location at the time of the accident, presence of additional and psychological symptoms, and chuna, there were statistically significant differences in treatment duration and number of treatments. A higher number of treatments and the longer treatment duration was associated with a higher initial NRS, lower post-treatment NRS, and better improvement score. Since the introduction of traffic accident (TA) pharmacopuncture, the rate of use of a single type of pharmacopuncture increased; however, no significant differences in treatment duration and number, NRS before and after treatment, and improvement score were observed between treatment groups before and after TA pharmacopuncture. No adverse reactions were observed for any treatment. Conclusion: This study confirmed the previous findings of a high treatment effect of KM under automobile insurance. We also observed significant correlations based on a detailed medical status, which may explain the increasing use of KM in the automobile insurance system. Additional multi-center studies in different regions are needed.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

In South Korea, traffic accident patients can be treated under automobile insurance coverage. This study investigated the status of Korean medicine (KM) Automobile insurance system and usage status of main pharmacopuncture in KM clinic which reported that the largest number of automobile insurance fee claims among medical institutions. We surveyed 258 traffic accident patients who were treated at Namsangcheon KM clinic from 2014 to 2018 according to medical chart. The majority of the patients were male and thirties. In traffic accident situation, the highest distribution was car to car crash with 85.66% and 66.67% of the patients visited in the most acute phase. The most frequent treatment period was within 4 weeks and the number of treatments was 10 or less with 72.87%. In total results of treatment, the distribution was exellent with 10.08%, good with 46.90%, fair with 27.13% and poor with 15.89%, and the effective rate was 84.11%. The most frequent treatment period was within 4 weeks with 64.73% and the number of treatments was 10 or less with 72.87%. Of the 242 patients who received pharmacopunture, 91.5% were treated with HO, which was named after Honghwaja and TA, which was named after traffic accidents, and there were significant differences in the number of treatments and symptom improvement between the two groups. In this study, we confirmed the status of automobile insurance treatment and usage of main pharmacopuncture of single KM clinic with symptom improvement. This study can be regarded as one of the basis of KM treatment for the rapidly growing automobile insurance market.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.31-45
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• 2014

Objective : This study was intended to provide information pertaining to reasonable consumption of medical services based on comparative analysis of the characteristics of musculoskeletal diseases(MSDs) among outpatients of Korean medical institutes, and furthermore help lay groundwork for mapping out effective Korean medical policies. Method : Based on the data of 3,889 outpatients of Korean medical institutions which were obtained from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2011 Report on usage of Korean medicine, the analysis was carried out by using the SAS 9.2. Results : 68.2% of subjects were found to use Korean medicine(KM) for the treatment of MSDs. Patients with MSDs were older than those with nonmusculoskeletal diseases(NMSDs). And married state, education, employed state and incomes are effected on MSDs and NMSDs. Subjective health status, number of outpatient treatments, medical cost, medical treatment satisfaction, and habitue status are depend on MSDs or NMSDs. Acupuncture and physical therapy is Major treatments of subjects investigated to have the highest treatment effect. It was found that they had high degree of satisfaction with Korean medicinal outpatient treatments, and those with MSDs were found to have significantly greater satisfaction than those with NMSDs. Conclusion : Although aforesaid results suggest significant satisfaction with KM and high treatment effects for MSDs. Accordingly it is considered necessary to develop various services related to KM for treatment of MSDs and to plan for cost down of KM. Moreover, in-depth research into NMSDs is required for utilization growth of KM.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.54-61
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• 2012

Objectives : This study aimed to obtain general information for the design of a medical tourism plan toward Chinese using Korean medicine (KM). Methods : A questionnaire was asked of Chinese tourists regarding of Korea traditional medical tourism. 148 valid responses were obtained and their awareness of KM, and preferred subject and decision factors for their participation in Korea traditional medical tourism were analyzed using SPSS version 12.0. Results : 72% of respondents showed over a moderate degree of interest in medical tourism of KM. The most preferred subject was skin aesthetics, followed by medical check-ups and rehabilitation. Medical skill level, communication, and medical cost were indicated as the important factors for participants' decisions about KM-based medical tourism. Conclusions : Medical tourism could be a potential avenue for development by the KM-based Korean medical industry. Cosmetic-associated medical services are recommended, and enhanced public relations about KM-medical skill levels are strongly suggested for Chinese tourists.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.59-68
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• 2013

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the acute toxicity of Pyungwi-san(Pingwei-san in Chinese) in ICR mice, according to KFDA and OECD guideline. Methods: In the present study, 15 male and female ICR mice administrated singly by gavage at dose levels of 0 and 2000 mg/kg of Pyungwi-san. During the experimental period, no treatment-related death was observed. There were no adverse effects on clinical signs, body weight, and gross findings at all treatment groups. Results: These results showed that the single oral adminstration of Pyungwi-san (Pingwei-san) did not cause any toxic effect at the dose levels of 2000 mg/kg in rats. Conclusions: Taken together, the median lethal dose($LD_{50}$) of Pyungwi-san (Pingwei-san) was considered to be over 2000 mg/kg body for both sexes.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.335-347
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• 2015

Objectives This study aims to overview traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment guidelines for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) and Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) in order to facilitate the use of Korean medicine (KM) treatment in pandemic diseases. Methods We compared the characteristics between SARS and MERS, and overviewed the Traditional Chinese Medicine treatment guidelines for SARS and MERS. We assessed the efficacy of simultaneous administration of herbal medicine and Western medicine on SARS by studying Cochranes 2012's Systematic Review Studies. Results and Conclusions Based on wen bing (warm diseases) of KM as well as TCM, KM treatment can be an alternative for pandemic diseases such as SARS and MERS considering the Korean's characteristic environment.

• Herbal Formula Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2012

Objectives : Traditional medicine Gumiganghwal-tang (GT) has been used in Asia to treat inflammatory diseases including common cold, pain, fever, and algor. In this study we investigated the acute toxicity and safety of GT and fermented GT (FGT). Methods : Acute toxicity and safety were evaluated in male and female ICR mice orally administered 0 (control) and 2,000 mg/kg of GT and FGT. After the administration of GT and FGT, we observed mortality, body weight, clinical symptoms. After necropsy, organ weights were measured and blood analysis was performed. Results : There was no mortality and clinical symptoms according to the administration of GT and FGT. Comparing with control group, there were no significant alterations on the organ weight, complete blood cell count and biochemical parameters. Conclusions : Median lethal dose of GT and FGT considered to be over 2,000 mg/kg in both male and female mice, and recognized as safe with no toxicity.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify the needs of bio-signal devices for the diagnosis, assessment, and analysis of neurocognitive disorder in Korean medicine (KM) hospitals and clinics. Methods: A questionnaire was developed to survey the current status of medical device use, and diagnosis and interventions for patients with cognitive disorders in KM hospitals and clinics. November 11~December 2, 2019, 114 responses (71.9% completed) were collected by internet-based questionnaires from the members of the Korean society of Oriental Neuropsychiatry. Results: The clinical requests were in the descending order of hematology analyzer, ultrasound imaging system, and electroencephalography among the 15 most commonly used devices of which research would support for their clinical usability. The biosignal-based devices showed the highest research demands for patients with mild cognitive impairment rather than more severe stages of cognitive impairment. Prevention rather than diagnosis, or several treatment regimens was the strongest clinical area of the KM for patients with neurodegenerative cognitive impairment. Many responded that five to 10 minutes of test duration and 20,000 won to 30,000 won of cost would be appropriated for a new device to be developed. Conclusions: There were strong demands for the development of bio-signal devices for neurocognitive disorders among the KM doctors. Specifically, it showed high needs for the technology that can be used in the prevention area of cognitive disorders. Additionally, new medical devices to assess cognitive functions and to obtain KM pattern-related information were the high needs.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.191-197
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• 2020

This case study reports the clinical response to Korean Medicine (KM) treatments including capsaicin-containing (CP) pharmacopuncture in three patients with acute low back and hip pain. Three patients were diagnosed with acute lumbar sprain, and were treated with CP pharmacopuncture, and other KM treatments including acupuncture, cupping, and herbal medicine. Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Oswestry Disablility Index (ODI), and Clinical Evaluation Grade (CEG) were used to evaluate symptom changes. After one or two treatments, acute pain with limited range of motion in the low back and thigh region improved with a decrease in NRS, ODI, and CEG. These results suggest that further studies on KM treatments including CP pharmacopuncture for acute low back and hip pain are warranted.