• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.264-272
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• 2010

Objectives : This study was carried out to measure perceptions about Traditional Korean Medicine hospitals and provide data for improvement of TKM hospital management. Methods : We surveyed the general population from 1st to 17th December, 2008, and patients visiting a TKM hospital from 1st June to 9th December, 2008. Results : Result as follows. 1. The response ratio for the generally preferred medical institution was in the order of western medical clinic, pharmacy, general hospital, TKM clinic, TKM hospital. 2. The response ratio for the preferred medical institution for herbal medicine treatment was in the order of TKM clinic, herbal medicine store, TKM hospital, pharmacy. The preferred medical institution for acupuncture treatment was in the order of TKM clinic, TKM hospital, acupuncture clinic, public health center. 3. The most common response to reason for receiving traditional Korean medical care was "traditional Korean medical care is more effective than western medical care." 4. The proportion of first treatment and second treatment of patients visiting at TKM hospital was about 1:1. 5. 72.3% of patients had been to another medical institution. 6. The response ratio for the first visited medical institution for the same disease was in the order of general hospital, western medical hospital, western medical clinic, TKM clinic. 7. The response ratio for the concern about TKM treatment was in the order of expensive charge for TKM treatment, uncertainty of TKM treatment effect. Conclusions : Through this research, we can understand the perception about TKM hospital treatment of the general population and patients visiting TKM hospitals.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2013

Objectives : This study was aimed to facilitate mutual comprehension between Western and Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) by analyzing recognition of medical school students on traditional medical prescription and treatment such as herbal medicines and acupuncture. Methods : We conducted a survey targeting medical school students of four medical schools from April through May 2009, and analyzed 208 cases responded. Results : Survey results revealed that medical school students took knowledge of traditional medicine from TV programs and on the Web in general. They thought they had considerable traditional medical knowledge but did not almost understand for professional contents. Regardless of some positive recognition for traditional herbal medicine, negative perspectives were more common and its safety and efficacy on the drug reference were considered as a major reason. On the other hand, recognition on acupuncture was comparatively positive. Scientific data for both herbal medicine and acupuncture are lacking in reality but the attitude only for acupuncture was different. Of the survey respondents, 57.8% had negative attitude against diagnostic methods of TKM and 59.1% opposed to the usage of modern medical equipments by TKM doctors. With regard to the future position of TKM, they tacitly approved that TKM would be absorbed into the complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and importance of TKM objectification, followed by Government's support. Conclusions : Medical school students neither affirm nor deny TKM as a whole but the state of awareness for each item was similar to the physician. In terms of TKM its internal and external innovation would be required to continuously establish objectification of TKM prescription and scientific research on treatment technology.

• Integrative Medicine Research
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.333-340
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• 2018

Background: Traditional Korean medicine (TKM) is widely used to treat children with cerebral palsy (CP) in Korea; however, studies investigating factors that influence the use of TKM are scarce. Thus, we investigated the clinical factors that might influence the use of TKM. Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional, multicenter survey was performed from August 2014 to May 2016. The history of TKM use, type and severity of CP, current treatment characteristics, presence of accompanying disabilities or other health problems not directly related to CP, and monthly cost for the treatment of CP were surveyed. Results: In total, 182 children were recruited, and 78 children (42.9%) had used TKM. Among these 78 children, 50 (64.1% of the TKM-use group) had used both acupuncture and herbal medication, 15 (19.2%) had used acupuncture only, and 13 (16.7%) had used herbal medication only. Children with non-typical CP, accompanying disabilities and general health problems tended to use TKM. The monthly cost of treatment for CP was significantly higher in the TKM-use group than that in the no-TKM-use group, suggesting that economically disadvantaged children may have difficulty in accessing TKM. Dietary supplements, conventional pharmacological treatments, and rehabilitation therapies did not affect TKM use. Conclusion: Children with non-typical symptoms or those with poor overall health status are likely to use TKM. Additionally, TKM use leads to increased treatment costs. Studies investigating the motivation for starting or ceasing TKM therapy, socioeconomic factors and the attitude of parents towards complementary and alternative medicine should be performed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.6
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• pp.103-111
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• 2011

Objectives: The study was investigated to assess efficacy for home visiting treatment using Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM). Methods: The traditional medical doctor of Um-Sung health center has treated the 109 patients and they also answered the questionnaires of home visiting treatment using TKM before and after. The questionnaires were composed of flexibility, pain, health behavior, perception of health, satisfaction, cognition of TKM, etc. The questionnaires were analyzed by use of paired t-test and chi-square test. Results: They have significantly improved the flexibility (p<.001), pain (p<.001), health behavior (p<.001), and the perception (p<.001) of health after home visiting treatment. It was also brought to improve about the perception of TKM, and showed a good satisfaction and the improvement of health. Conclusion: Home visiting treatment using TKM is helpful to improve the health based on these results. We need to systemize the research for the activation of home visiting treatment using TKM.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.17-25
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• 2012

Objectives: This study was conducted to explore the contemporary perception of traditional Korean medical doctors (TKMDs) on traditional Korean medicine (TKM) policies and issues. Methods: A questionnaire that included traditional medicine policy- and treatment-related issues was sent to 130 TKM medical centers and 4,300 TKM local clinical offices in Korea, and received responses from total 648 TKMDs in 122 TKM medical centers and 465 TKM local clinical offices. Results: Of the responding TKMDs, 40% believed that unification of Western and traditional medicines would benefit both modes of medical treatment, 67.6% were against allowing Chinese doctor certification to be effective in Korea through the Korea-China FTA (Free Trade Agreement), and 57.8% believed that the number of TKMDs should be reduced. We also found that 46.1% of TKMDs believed that more lectures on Western medicine would be needed in schools of TKM. Moreover, 87.5% of respondents regarded medical knowledge as necessary for treatment, and 49.4% believed National Certification Commission for Acupuncture and Traditional Medicine (NCCAOM) would be not necessary. TKMDs regarded governmental efforts as more vital than education in schools or individual efforts for enhancement of the traditional medical care market in Korea. To efficiently provide the advantages of complementary CAM, such as cost and safety, detailed research is required when policy is made. Conclusions: The TKM industry must implement policies how the relationship with Western medicine can be better defined under the current dual medical system. On the issue of human resources, more research will be needed on the current policy, which serves to maintain the status quo by blocking the importation of Chinese practitioners and by reducing the number of new practitioners.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.773-777
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• 2012

Since 2010, in general hospital, they can install western medical post, traditional Korean medical post, and dental post. So the environment is made for the Cooperative medical system between traditional Korean medicine(TKM) and western medicine(WM) to be performed. So we found out about how doctors think about TKM and what is needed for TKM & WM cooperative system to work well. When we found out about how recognition changed about TKM during their medical school years and after they became doctors, positive answer increased from 25.6% to 30%, negative answer decreased from 41.9% to 32.0%, severely negative increased from 9.3% to 16%. They changed to positive about TKM after they became doctors. But severely negative also increased. The element they lose faith in TKM is their doubt about the scientific aspects of TKM. On the other hand, severely negative recognition was also raised. 73.8% of respondents thought the most effective treatment of TKM was for myalgia. 33.3% of them answered the chance to encounter TKM was the mass media, indicating its limitation. 60.5% of them considered major reason for negative evaluation of TKM is its non-scientific aspects and only 30.9% said TKM treatment could be recommended to patients at the hospital. Doctors in WM for recognition on TKM is mostly negative and major reason is its non-scientific aspects. As the solution to this problem, scientification of TKM is suggested through research projects. These connections must be resolved to smoothly work interdisciplinary system of TKM and WM.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the perception that gynecological surgery patients have on Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM) treatment. Methods: We studied the perception of TKM treatment by questionnaire from August, 2008 to Febrary, 2009 in Kyung-Hee University East-West Neo medical center. A questionnaire was given to 180 women and 150 women answered. Results: Out of 150 women, 93 women(62%) had been given TKM treatment during the last 3 years, while 57 women(32%) hadn't. 53 women(35.5%) had taken herbal medicine within the last 2 weeks, while 97 women(64.7%) hadn't. 71 women(47.3%) reported that they had been given TKM treatment related to the causative disease for the operation, while 22 women(14.7%) hadn't. And 97 women(64.7%) indicated that they were willing to use TKM as a part of their postoperative medical care, 53 women(35.3%) indicated that they weren't. Conclusion: Many patients are willing to take TKM treatment as postoperative care. We need more accumulation of data for demonstrating the efficacy and safety of TKM treatment.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.233-237
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• 2014

This case report that the therapeutic effects of traditional Korean medicine(TKM) treatment on the tumor response in a diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBL) patient. A patient was treated by acupuncture, pharmacopuncture, moxibustion, cupping and herbal medicine once a week at least for 12 months. we evaluated the grade of chief complaints and performed blood tests and sonography, abdominal CT periodically. After 1 month administration with TKM treatment, the symptoms of the patient vanished obviously. the size of inguinal lymphoma decreased gradually through 3 months. then from 3 to 10 months, the size of inguinal lymphoma remained as it is. TKM treatment was maintained continuously. in the abdomino-pelvic CT performed after 12 months, the patient didn't complain any symptom and the size of inguinal lymphoma decreased a little again. This case study supports that TKM treatments may have a efficacy in treating diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBL) patients.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.68-78
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze the perception that women in 20s and 30s have on Traditional Korean Medical(TKM) treatment on the leukorrhea. Methods: We studied the perception of TKM treatment by questionnaire From October 1 to November 20, 2010. A questionnaire was given to 50 women and we studied 47 except 3 questionnaire which have inappropriate answer. Results: 1. In 47 women, 46(97.9%) women have heard about leukorrhea, 1(2.1%) woman hasn't heard about it. 2. In 32 women who suffered from the leukorrhea, 14(43.8%) women checked up for leukorrhea. 18(56.2%) women doesn't checked. 10 of 14 women took the medical treatment (drug or injection) and 2 of 14 women took the TKM treatment. 3. In 32 women, 16(50.0%) women know about TKM treatment for leukorrhea, 16(50.0%) women don't know. 4. In 32 women, 20(62.5%) women have intention of TKM treatment for leukorrhea, 2(6.2%) women don't have, and 10(31.3%) women don't know. The biggest obstacle was the high cost of TKM treatment. Conclusions: Many women are willing to take TKM treatment on the leukorrhea. We need more accumulation of data for demonstrating the efficacy and safety of TKM treatment.

• 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.