• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.101-106
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics and the improvement in the symptoms of the patients who showed improvement after the administration of Yeoldahanso-tang and Cheongpyesagan-tang. Methods: The patients whose Sasang Constitution were examined by an expert at six Oriental medical hospitals and three regional Oriental-medicine clinics, 89 showed a predetermined symptom improvement when Yeoldahanso-tang and Cheongpysagan-tang were administered to them from November 2007 to July 2008. The traits of the patients and the effects of their treatment were examined. Results and Conclusions: 1. There were about as many male patients as there were female patients, but 21.3% of the patients who were female and who were in their 40's showed the most improvement, which makes them the biggest category in this study. 2. The main syndromes in which the patients showed improvement were hemi-paralysis, vertigo, and headache, and the ordinary symptoms in which the patients showed improvement were diarrhea, fatigue, and dry mouth. 3. The average food intake of the patients was highest and their feces had intermediate hardness (semi-soft). 4. The amount of the patients' sweat was either high(38.2%) or appropriate(38.2%) and they showed a dislike of heat over coldness. 5. Among the diseases that the patients previously had, high blood pressure. The above results show that Yeoldahanso-tang and Cheongpyesagan-tang can be considered beneficial to females in their 40's and to stroke patients whose food intake is normal, whose sweat level is either copious or appropriate, who dislike heat and who are suffering from high blood pressure.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.129-137
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• 2000

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the attitude toward the oriental hospital among 1,234 outpatients. Methods: A questionnaire about the general characteristics of patients, the decision-maker of use and the reason of choice or alteration was implemented. Results: The results of this survey as follows: Among outpatients 56.4 % were female in sex, 25.6 % were below 9 years of age; in educational level, 50.1 % were college graduates. Among outpatients, 33.6% chose the oriental hospital as their first choice and the rest were recommended by other persons. The recommenders were mostly relatives(73.9 %), female(73.4 %), young(30-39 years old, 40.1 %), high educational level (above the college, 54.9 %) people. 37.8 % among outpatients were secondary selection after the western medical clinic for the same symptom and sign. 7.0 % were the concomitant users of both therapies. 62.8 % among the concomitant users did not notify the western doctor about the dual therapies. The reasons they did not notify their Western doctors were 'be afraid of western doctor s bias' (42.6 %), 'no special reason' (29.6 %). Conclusions: The appropriate transfer system between oriental and western clinic must be constructed and the proper recognition about dual therapies will be needed among patients and doctors who practice both kinds of medicine.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.349-358
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• 2023

Objectives: We used the 2019 Korea Health Panel Annual Data to analyze factors related to visits to Korean medicine (KM) outpatient clinics among patients with mood disorders in Korea. Methods: Individuals aged 19 years or older, with depressive or bipolar disorders, and with a record of using Western medicine (WM) and/or the KM medical service were included. The 266 subjects were classified into the WM group or the integrative medicine (IM) group. The Andersen healthcare utilization model was used to analyze factors that potentially influenced the subjects' healthcare utilization. Binomial logistic regression analysis was used to analyze factors influencing the use of IM medical services. Results: Among the subjects, 75.56% (n=201) were in the WM group, and 24.44% (n=65) were in the IM group. Statistically significant differences were observed in residential areas, total annual income, the presence of disability, and the level of pain/discomfort between the two groups. Regression analysis found that residential areas and pain/discomfort were factors related to the use of IM services. Specifically, reporting "a lot" of pain/discomfort compared to "no" pain/discomfort showed a significant positive relationship with the use of IM (odds ratio=4.57, 95% confidence interval=1.79 to 11.70). Conclusions: This study was the first to analyze the status of KM medical service use and related factors among patients with mood disorders in Korea. The finding that the presence of pain/discomfort was positively correlated with the use of KM services is potentially related to medically unexplained physical symptoms or somatization phenomena.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.142-150
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• 2008

1. Objective The purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics and the improvement in the symptoms of the patients who administrated Hyungbangjihwang-tang. 2. Methods We examined 793 case report forms(CRFs) from six oriental medical hospitals and three regional oriental medicine clinics. These CRFs are recorded from november 2007 to july 2008. All constitutions of cases were diagnosed not only by Sasang constitution experts but also through clinical experiences. The traits of the patients and the effects of their treatment were examined. 3. Results and Conclusion 1. The chief complaints in which the patients showed improvement were Headache, fatigue, lumbago, dyspepsia. 2. The ordinary symptoms in which the patients showed improvement were insomnia, fatigue, constipation, dyspepsia, headache. 3. The average food intake of the patients was normal(65.2%) and their feces had intermediate hardness (semi-soft). The color of their urine was either clear or yellow. 4. The amount of the patients' sweat was appropriate (39.1%) Their water intake was approximately normal, and they preferred drinking the cold water. 5. Among the diseases that the patients previously had chronic gastritis(19.6%) had the highest frequencies. 4. Conclusion: The above results show that Hyungbangjihwang-tang can be considered beneficial to headache, fatigue, lumbargo, insomnia, constipation, dyspepsia patients whose food intake is normal, whose sweat level is either appropriate, who prefer to drink cold water, and who are suffering from chronic gastritis.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.98-108
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• 2007

Purpose: To compare the health promoting behavior in rural elderly people by complementary alternative medicine(CAM) utilization. Methods: The data were collected from March 06th to May 26th, 2006. The participants were 207 rural elderly persons in Korea. Data were collected using structured questionnaires and analyzed with the SAS win 8.0 program. Results: The rate of using CAM was 60.9%. Non-religious, perceived poor health and high concerns about health group used it more. The most common type was oriental medicine(35.7%), the most common motive was body protection(21.2%) and major source of information was other patients(35.9%). Almost all the subjects(90%) were satisfied with using CAM. The average score for the health promoting behavior was $2.67{\pm}.32$(range 1.65-3.71). The average scores for each subscale were, personal communication 2.98, self-actualization 2.79, nutrition 2.78, health responsibility 2.58, exercise 2.40, stress management 2.38. Significant differences in health promoting behavior were found according to CAM utilization: personal communication, self actualization. Conclusion: There were differences health promoting behavior between the elderly CAM utilization: Systemic guidelines of CAM use are needed.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.133-143
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• 2019

Objectives : In this study, we analyze the medical significance of feces symptoms so that the daily records of the feces of individuals can be not only used as a measure of individual health monitoring in daily life, but also more actively connected to the medical treatment of the Korean Medicine (KM). Methods : Categories and clinically significant attributes for symptoms of Urination and defecation in the KM ontology DB are determined, and connected to KM related dialectical indicators by experts' common criteria including Viscera and Bowels [臟腑], eight principles [八綱], Qi Blood fluid and humor phlegm-retained fluid static blood [氣血津液痰飮瘀血], six excesses [六淫]. Results : The analysis of the symptoms of feces in the Korea Medicine ontology shows that the symptoms of stool in categories of 'stool stiffness', 'blood swelling', 'discomfort' are highly ranked among the overall clinical symptom categories. In the case of urine symptoms, symptoms corresponding to 'urine color,' 'urine discomfort,' and 'urine volume' are the top rankers among other total clinical symptoms. In the case of stool, the relationship between the symptom of stool and the categories of spleen, stomach, and colon is increased as the weighted symptom is considered. The relationship between the symptom of urine and the categories of the small intestine and the bladder is increased in the same way. Conclusions : This study could help better utilize the personal generated health records of feces in clinical practice of Korean Medicine.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.116-135
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• 1991

Few studies have been conducted on the detailed routes of medical care utilization under the National Health Insurance. This study was undertaken to identify the utilization patte군 of health care facilities among industrial workers and their dependents. One of the largest health insurance association was purposively chosen for this objective. The association had 345, 757 members as of 31 December, 1990. The study sample of 297, 948 subjects have been drawn from the membership pool on the basis of their continuous membership status during 1 January through 31 December 1990. This study has tried to identify differential utilization patterns between acute and chronic conditions, and among standard income classes. All the diagnoses were recoded in a manner to achieve the objective of this study. As for acute diseases, most age group had used one medical facility as much as by 60% except the age group of 1-4, This young age group had used over three different health facilities as much as by 10.9-15.8%. The finding suggests that some policy measures by sought for remedying the excessive/inappropriate use of services. In addition, mid-income classes(between 17 and 48) were more likely to use multiple sources of care than lower income classes(between 1 and 16) and upper income classes(above 49). This study has revealed that chronic cases are more likely to pursue multiple sources of care, however those with chronic conditions tend to use single health facility more than those with acute conditions(67.9% versus 52.4%). As many as 12.2% have visited more than three health facilities in chronic conditions, but 5.9% for acute conditions. The most likely source of care was primary clinics for both acute and chronic conditions. Compared with the role of general hospital, small-size hospitals found to play a minimal role in the care and referral of patients. This indicates the need of strengthening the function of small-size hospitals. While a minor cross utilization of western medicine and pharmacy was noted, no significant boundary crossing was identified between western medicine and oriental medicine, or between pharmacy and oriental medicine. It is too early to confirm that whether there is substitutability or cross utilization among these alternative sources of care. A further study is needed to identify these relationship.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.101-107
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• 1999

Background : In order to improve the quality of life of dying patients, they need to receive not only the physical, psychological, social, and spiritual care, but also systematic and continuous care to die with dignity. However, no adequate medical services are available for these terminal cancer patients. We studied their behavior patterns of health care utilization to understand more of their medical and social needs. Methods : We investigated 108 bereaved families through the telephone interview with structured questionnaires. They were randomly selected through the retrospective chart review of the terminal patients who passed away due to cancer. Results : Most of the terminal cancer patients received their care from proper medical services including admission to hospital (45.4%), outpatient clinic (22.2%), emergency room (16.7%), and oriental medicine (12.0%). But during the terminal phase of their illness, 32.4% of patients never received medical care including oriental medicine, and 28.7% received alterative natural care. 26 bereaved families (24.1%) pointed out the indifference of medical staff as a problem receiving proper hospital care, and 22 (20.4%) emphasized emotional strain of their helplessness with the patients' suffering as a problem of caring at home. Over 90% suggested availability of continuous care, hospice care, home care, and 24 hour telephone service to be improved. Conclusions : Due to various reasons, adequate medical care is not delivered to the terminal cancer patients in our present medical system. These problems can be approached with the establishment of proper education and medical delivery system. The role of comprehensive medical specialty cannot be overly emphasized to accomplish this most effectively.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.1-17
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• 2010

1. Background and purpose: The purpose of this study is to find the characteristic of "Donguisasangshinpyun" through comparison and analysis of "Donguisusebowon" and "Donguisasangshinpyun". 2. Methods: First we compare the composition of Sasang prescription with the same name in "Sinchukbon" and "Gabobon" to the composition of Sasang prescription in "Donguisasangshinpyun" "Donguisasangshinpyunchebang"(東醫四象新編劑方). And we compare the difference of "Donguisusebowon" and "Donguisasangshinpyunchebang" about symptom of Sasang prescription. The third is to find the utilization of Sasang prescription in "Donguisasangshinpyun" "Donguisasangyongyakhuebun"(東醫四象用藥彙分). 3. Results and Conclusions: 1) There are some Sasang prescriptions with the same name in "Donguisasangshinpyunchebang", "Sinchukbon" and "Gabobon". The composition of Sasang prescription in "Donguisasangshinpyun" is based on "Sinchukbon" better than "Gabobon". 2) The symptom of Sasang prescription in "Donguisasangshinpyunchebang" are more various than the symptoms in "Donguisusebowon". We find new symptom of Sasang prescription in "Donguisasangshinpyun" that does not exist in "Donguisusebowon". 3) The Sasang prescription of "Sinchukbon" is utilized much more than the Sasang prescription of "Gabobon" in "Donguisasangyongyakhuebun".

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2018

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze the characteristics of uninsured herbal medicine(UHM) users and the economic and social barriers of UHM utilization. Methods : We used the Korea Health Panel Data, representative national survey on medical utilization and cost, provided by National Health Insurance Service and Korea Institiute of Health and Social Affairs. The frequency analysis was used to identify the characteristics of the respondents, and the cross-analysis (${\chi}^2-test$) was used to verify the relationship between their characteristics and the usage of UHM. In order to analyze the determinants of using the UHM considering the individual's characteristics, logistic regression analysis and multiple regression analysis were conducted for those who used the Korean medicine (KM) outpatient service in 2015. Results : The usage of UHM was significantly lower for those (1) who's age of 20 to 65; (2) who have the university or higher education degree; (3) who live in Jeju province, and (4) who bought the herbal medicine for other health related purposes. On the other hand, the usage of UHM for those (1) who have the first quintile of household income; (2) who have the chronic respiratory disease; (3) who have been taking the medicine for health promotion purpose for more than 3 months and (4) who have purchased the food which has health promotion function was significantly higher than others. The patients who have chronic musculoskeletal diseases accounted the most among the UHM users. Conclusions : There was the considerable inequality in the usage of UHM among household income groups, which provides policy rationale for UHM to be covered by national health insurance. To facilitate the coverage expansion, restrictive covering model can be considered for children and adolescents, or for patients with muskuloskeletal diseases who have the high demand for UHM.