• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.12-25
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• 2021

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate influencing factors of using Korean medicine services (KMS) using the 2017 Korean Medicine Utilization Survey (KMUS). Methods: Demographic statistics of the survey were summarized and influencing factors of the KMS experience and the intention to visit KMS were analyzed using logistic regression model with complex sample design. Influencing factors were specified based on Andersen's behavioral model of health care utilization and factors associated with individual recognitions of KMS. Additionally, using the ordinary logistic regression model without complex sample design, the survey data were analyzed to compare the results. Results: In the logistic regression analysis, sex, age, health condition, presence of chronic disease, a degree of knowledge about Korean Medicine, and a view about herbal medicine safety were statistically significant both in the KMS experience, and the intention to visit KMS. Marital status was statistically significant in the KMS experience, while family income, a view about the cost of KMS were statistically significant in the intention to visit KMS. Conclusion: Individual recognitions of KMS and enabling components should be considered when establishing KMS policies. In addition, future studies analyzing KMUS need to take into account the complex sample design features of the survey to avoid statistically misleading results.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2020

Objectives : The purpose of study was estimation of adverse events [AEs] scale relating herbal medicine in Korea using Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey (National statistics No. 117087). Methods : Using microdata of Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey 2017, the number of inpatients and outpatients who experienced AEs was calculated. The microdata included AEs of all treatment methods that have been performed by visiting Korean medical institutions for one year, so set up the data into three models; model A (in case all treatments were only herbal medicine for one year), model B (in case herbal medicines were a part of all treatment methods in 1 year), model C (in case herbal medicines were a part of treatment methods at least one time in 1 year). The proportion of patients who experienced AEs during the last 1 year was calculated and then, the number of AEs relating herbal medicine was estimated. Results : A total of 1,010 outpatients and 904 inpatients were included in Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey 2017. The number of patients who had experienced AEs in the past 1 year was 0 in the model A, 9 in the model B (5 for outpatients, 4 for inpatients), and 19 in the model C (10 for outpatients, 9 for inpatients). By consideration for the complex sample survey, estimating the number of AEs relating herbal medicine, the model A was 0, the model B was 36,457 patients (0 to 75,526 patients), and the model C was 84,830 patients (26,314 to 143,347 patients). Conclusion : From the results of this study, it was possible to estimate the scale of AEs relating herbal medicines in Korea, suggesting that it is necessary to understand the actual condition of AEs and establish its management system.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.45-55
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study was to survey the present utilization of pattern identification(PI) in the clinical field among Korean Medicine Doctors. Method : This survey was conducted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2014 by face-to-face interview using structured questionnaire. The subjects were 400 korean medicine doctors who worked in hospitals or clinics. The questionnaire consisted of two sections - a demographics section(i.e., sex, age, clinical experience, place of work, residence and so on) and the main research section(i.e., the PI utilization rate, the utilization of PI systems, the utilization of PI in the clinical domain and in the treatment domain, the correlation between utilization PI and so on). Results : This study revealed that subjects used the PI to 66.7% of their patients on average. The utilization rate of PI in patients was significantly higher for female physicians than for male physicians, for physicians worked in clinics than for physicians who worked in hospitals and for physicians with more than 10 years clinical experience than for physicians with less than 10 years clinical experience. In the utilization of PI systems, Visceral PI was most as 92.0%. There were significant difference on the PI utilization rate according to utilization of Meridian and Collateral PI, Triple Energizer PI, Defense, Qi, Nutrient and Blood PI, Six-Meridian PI and Six Excesses PI. As a result of analysing the PI utilization rate by clinical domain and in the treatment domain, the Treatment and the Drug Treatment showed the highest values. Among utilized PI systems, the correlation coefficients between Defense, Qi, Nutrient and Blood PI and Triple Energizer PI showed the highest value, but the correlation coefficients between Sasang Constitutional Medicine with the each PI showed substantially lower value. Conclusion : The results of this study demonstrate that usage of PI was higher than usage of U code(in KCD) usage in clinical field. we suggested that additional studies on using PI and developing more appropriate standardized tool should be conducted to widen scope of PI's utilization.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.171-178
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• 2015

Objective : To assess the utilization patternsand satisfaction factors of Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) in Korea. Method : The study design of this paper is from a nationally representative random e-mails and interview surveys. In this survey, we asked 2000 Korean adults between the ages of 20 and 69, whether they have used TKM in the past three years and if so, what were their experiences and how satisfied they were with the care they have received. Results : Sixty percent of respondents(n=1239) answered that they had used TKM in the past three years. The odds of using TKM were higher in female(OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.24-1.78) and academic backgrounds of university graduate or beyond (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.01-1.60), and lower in unmarried person (OR 0.68; 95% CI 0.55-0.84) in the multivariable analysis. The most frequent purpose for seeking TKM and receiving treatment was to 'treat illness'.In addition, the use herbal medicine among types of TKM is statistically significant in sexual groupings.748(60.4%) among TKM users responded that they had a satisfying experience during TKM treatment. In multivariable logistic model, the odds of satisfaction from using TKM were higher in employed groups(OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.02-1.77), the reason for using of personalized medicine into TKM(OR 1.50; 95% CI 1.00-2.26). Conclusion : Korean traditional medicine doctors need to develop and provide the personalized medicine for the group of high utilization rate and satisfaction, and make strategies to disseminate TKM utilization for the group of lower utilization.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.85-98
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze characteristics of the Korean Medicine users aged 19-39 years, the determinants of Korean Medicine use and effects of Korean Medicine use experience on behavioral intentions among youths. Methods : We studied Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey(2017) data set by complex-sample survey data analysis. In order to derive the characteristics of younger users, Rao-scott χ² test and t-test were conducted. Through multiple logistic regression model adjusted by general characteristic variables, the determinants and behavioral intentions of the Korean Medicine utilization among youths were derived. Results : Fist of all, young users and non-users have significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and perception on Korean Medicine. Among the general characteristic variables, region, age, marital status, occupation, chronic disease, and private health insurance plans had an effect on the Korean Medicine use in young people(Model II). And adjusted by general characteristic variables as control variables, awareness of Korean Medicine and perception of safety of herbal medicine were deduced as determinants of Korean Medicine use(Model III). Secondly, Korean Medicine use experience increased intentions to use and recommend Korean Medicine services(Model IV-1, 3). Conclusions : In order to increase the use of Korean Medicine among young people, Korean Medicine institutions should strive to increase users' satisfaction, and public health insurance coverage for Korean Medicine services needs to be expanded.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.23-34
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• 2017

Objectives : The aim of this study was to survey the present utilization of pattern identification(PI) by chronic disease and using PI system in the clinical field among Korean medicine doctors. Methods : This survey was conducted from Oct. 1 to Oct. 31, 2014 by face-to-face interview using structured questionnaire. The subjects were 400 Korean medicine doctors who worked in hospitals or clinics. The questionnaire consisted of whether use clinical experience by chronic disease and the utilization of PI, the utilization of PI systems, the PI utilization rate, and the correlation between utilization PI and so on. General elements consisted of sex, age, clinical experience, place of work, district and so on. Results and Conclusions : This study revealed that clinical experience by chronic disease used 24.0-90.8%. The most chronic diseases were chronic fatigue and chronic pain, and least disease was cancer. Experience of the utilization of PI among Korean medicine doctors who have clinical experience was 87.8-97.1%. Also, the most utilized disease was chronic gastritis & gastric ulcer, and least disease was dyslipidemia. In this case, the most common cases were using the one PI between the utilization of PI systems, and the utilization ratio of Visceral PI was the highest. Phi coefficient between the PI systems in chronic diseases divided into positive correlation and negative correlation. The correlation of dementia between Triple energizer PI and Six excesses PI was the highest at positive correlation, and the frequency of occurrence between Defense, Qi, Nutrient and Blood PI was the highest at positive correlation. The correlation of osteoarthropathy between Meridian and Collateral PI and Sasang Constitutional Medicine was the highest at negative correlation. Also the frequency of occurrence between Qi, Blood, Fluid and Humor PI and Sasang Constitutional Medicine was the highest at negative correlation. We hope that additional studies on systematic PI research of chronic disease which needed to be in korean oriental medicine and meet the needs of clinical consumer continue based on this study.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.49-59
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• 2023

Objectives : This study aimed to identify the factors that affect the utilization of Korean Medicine within the past year. Methods : I analyzed micro-data from the Korean Medicine Utilization Survey (2020), which surveyed the general public. "User (in last 1 year)" were defined as those who had used Korean Medicine within the past year, while "Non-user (in last 1 year)" were defined as those who had used it in their lifetime but not within the past year. I examined several factors, including general characteristics, perceptions of Korean Medicine, satisfaction with Korean Medicine, and intention for future utilization. I conducted the Rao-Scott chi-squared test and complex sample logistic regression analysis. Results : I analyzed a total of 3,762 respondents, of which 1,442 (36.3%) were User (in last 1 year) and 2,320 (63.7%) were Non-user (in last 1 year). User (in last 1 year) and Non-user (in last 1 year) differed significantly in terms of demographic characteristics, perceptions, and satisfaction with Korean Medicine. Women, the elderly, those with low education levels, non-married individuals, those with low-income, chronic diseases, and poor subjective health conditions were significant factors. Those who used Korean Medicine within the past year were more knowledgeable about Korean Medicine than those who had not used it recently, and recognized herbal medicine as safer. In terms of satisfaction, User (in last 1 year) were more satisfied than Non-user (in last 1 year). The more women, the older, the more aware of Korean Medicine, the safer they perceived herbal medicine, the more satisfied they were with its use, the better their subjective health condition, and the absence of chronic diseases, the less they experienced Korean Medicine. Conclusions : The study showed that positive experiences and perceptions of Korean Medicine increase the likelihood of its utilization. Individuals with better subjective health conditions and without chronic diseases have a lower possibility of using Korean Medicine.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.1-23
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• 1999

The purpose of this paper is to survey the current status of service utilization in oriental medicine, to identify the determinants of consumers' decision in the service utilization, and then suggest policy implications for promoting the consumers' utilization. A multiple regression model was adopted to analyze the factors that influence consumer's decision in purchasing the oriental medical services. Data used in this research relied on National Survey Data conducted by Korea Institute of Health and Social Affairs, and sampling survey. The results could be summarized as follows.: 1. the number of visits to oriental medical institutions has shown an overall increase during the last decade since the inception of health insurance for oriental medical services. It still, however, revealed a relatively iow figure to western medical services. 2. the main factors, after controlling demographic variables, that determine consumers' selection between oriental medical services and western medical services are considered to be price, belief in effectiveness of services, waiting time for service. Implications for policy recommendation include 1. to reduce a barrier to service utilization by discounting dramatically the price of herb medicine, which is believed to be crucial in expanding market share, 2. to encourage consumer's belief in clinical effectiveness through a specialization in competitive services compared with wertern medicine, 3. to keep the affirmative image among consumers alive through an active participation of oriental medical doctors in community activities, 4 to change the health care system in favor of oriental medicine in the long run.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.113-121
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• 1992

In order to estimate the pattern of medical care utilization and recognition for health factor among the inhabitants in Wan-do district which is located off the southern seashore from mainland Korea, household interview survey was performed from January 15 to 30, 1990 in Wan-do Gun area. The results observed were following: 1. Among the users of medical facilities 40.8% used public health facility as first contact facility. Lower the income level was and longer the residency duration was, the utilization rate of public health facilities was higher. By age groups and medical security status the utilization pattern was likely to disperse to local clinic and secondary contact medical resources. 2. Medical expense and access time were significantly different between primary contact and secondary contact medical resources. 3. Public health facility was recognized as the favoured institute having advantage of geographic and economic accessibility. 4. Statistically significant determinants in public health facility utilization among total medical service were the region, the medical expense, and the access time.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.187-204
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• 2014

Objectives This study examined the perception and current utilization of Korean medical clinics in South Korea, focusing on university students in their 20s who live in Seoul. In addition, this study investigated methods for improving positive perception on korean medical clinics. Methods The questionnaire consisted of preference, reliability, professionalism, and modernity of korean medical clinics based on previous researches. The data was collected from 203 students of 6 different universities in Seoul through a direct survey from 4th September to 7th September 2013. The collected data were analyzed by the frequency analysis. Results According to the survey, the university students in Seoul have few chances to visit korean medical clinics, and they do not have enough information about korean medical treatment. Also, only few of them have recognized existence of research on korean medical treatment, and most of them request that korean medical care need to be scientifically proven. Conclusion The study implied that if the perception of preference, reliability, professionalism, and modernity regarding korean medical clinics develops by promoting research achievements, an increasing number of university students in their 20s will take korean medical care.