• 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.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.55-71
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• 2009

Background : Traditional Korean medicine(TKM) has gained in popularity among chronic patients in recent years. The use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases is common, with about two thirds of patients using some form of TKM in Korea. Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the use of TKM and determine what factors affect to use TKM among patients with chronic diseases. The study also aims to provide information on TKM therapies and assist therapy selection among various TKM therapies for patients with chronic diseases. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 21-item questionnaire. This study was conducted with subjects with confirmed diagnosis of chronic diseases, who live in Jeju Province, Korea. Results : Among the participants, past or current TKM use was 66.7%, with a statistically significant difference in gender and level of health status groups(p<0.05), but no difference in age, marital status, education, occupation, and income groups. The most common therapies of TKM used by the patients included acupuncture(51.1%), physiotherapy(16.8%), cupping(13.5%), and herbal medicine(4.8%). The main benefits from TKM perceived by the patients were chronic diseases management and health promotion. In a logistic regression analysis, significant influencing factors related to TKM use were gender, family income level, the extent of recognition of efficacy, heath status, and health security program. Conclusions : In this study the socio-demographic and health status, recognition of TKM efficacy factors associated with TKM use among patients with chronic diseases were similar to those found in the general population. The findings suggest that due to the relatively high use of TKM among patients with chronic diseases in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system. Additionally proactive and consistent management of TKM is necessary in the health care system in Korea.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.67-81
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• 2011

Background : Complementary and alternative medicine has bee used to cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, many hospitals have tried to integrate complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) with conventional medical approaches for patients with chronic diseases. Recently, the prevalence of the use of traditional Korean medicine(TKM) among patients with chronic diseases, expecially, hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident is increasing in Korea. To date, however, there were only few studies addressing the patients' attitudes, and utilization of TKM, compared to the well-documented escalating use of TKM among consumers in Korea. Objectives : The objective of this study was to analyze the prevalence of TKM use among hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident and to determine what factors affect to use CAM among the patients. The study also aims to provide information on TKM and assist therapy selection among various CAM therapies for hemiplegia patients after cerebrovascular accident within health care system in which both practitioners of TKM and practitioners of modern Western medicine coexisted. Methods : The design of the study was descriptive cross-sectional, and data were collected using a 32-items questionnaire. The subjects were one hundred fifty nine patients with chronic diseases who visited or admitted to health care facilities in a hospital in Seoul Metropolitan city, Korea. Data were analyzed using 'SPSS Statistics 18.0 Network Version(on release 18.0.1 of PASW Statistics)' program. Various statistical methods were used to obtain a profile for participants and the therapies most frequently used by hemiplegia patients of TKM. Logistic regression analysis was employed in order to determine the predicting variables of TKM use. Results : The prevalence of the use of TKM was 51.6%. The most common TKM therapies used by the patients included acupuncture(93.2%), herbal medicine(64.8%), and cupping(37.5%). Results of logistic regression analysis revealed that the variables significantly related with TKM use were gender, marital status, job, No. of visiting health care facilities/week. Conclusions : This study shows that the use of TKM among the hemiplegia patients is relatively high in Korea, this topic should be taken into account in the development of a holistic approach for patients with chronic diseases and an efficient chronic disease management system in Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.47-54
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• 2008

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the disease burden of cancer, to investigate how many cancer patients use CAM (complementary and alternative medicine) therapies with or without conventional medicine, to know reasons for use of cancer CAM therapies, and finally to discuss viewpoints on treating cancer with traditional Korean medicine (TKM). Method: In order to know the disease burden of cancer, the prevalence and mortality of cancer patients of Korean, American, and WHO reports were investigated, and the usage of cancer CAM therapies was investigated in several reports. The viewpoints about cancer treatment with TKM were suggested with the characteristics of TKM. Results: One hundred thousand Korean people were diagnosed [in time period] as new cancer patients, and cancer patients are gradually increasing every year. Cancer is a leading cause of deaths in Korea and worldwide. From 21% to 63% of Korean cancer patients, 80% of American cancer patients, and 35.9% of European cancer patients used CAM therapies, and the most common therapy was an herbal therapy. Conclusions: TKM has been used to treat cancer since initial use of acupuncture and herbs with basic viewpoints on human health and disease. First, TKM regards occurrence of cancer as an environmental problem of the whole human being. Second, the pathologic concept centered on antipathogenic Qi (Zheong Qi) can reinforce the functioning of the patient's own natural vitality to overcome cancer. Third, TKM deals with cancer patients through mind, body, and spirit based on the monoism of mind and body.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.1-8
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• 2016

Objectives : There is a correlation between student's satisfaction of education and their occupation satisfaction. Therefore, Korean medical school students' satisfaction toward their education is important for their medical ability in Traditional Korean Medicine(TKM). The purpose of this study is to investigate TKM school students' satisfaction of education and their perceptions of TKM level. Methods : The questionnaire used in this study is consisted of questions about students' satisfaction and their perception toward issues about TKM. 168 cases were collected, and I analyzed 164 cases. Results : 43.9% of students think that the ratio of western medical courses to TKM courses in TKM school's curriculum is 'Proper'. 54.3% of students do not satisfy their curriculum. But, 51.2% of students would recommend high school students for entrance to TKM school. 77.9% of students think 'TKM doctor should use modern medical device'. 92.7% and 61.9% of students think 'Needed' toward 'Cooperation of western medicine and Korean medicine', and 'Medical unification' each. There are correlations ; (1)'recognition toward ratio of curriculum', (2)'satisfaction of curriculum', (3)'degree of recommendation to enter the TKM School', (4)'relation between TKM and Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) or Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM)'. Conclusions : Student's satisfaction of education is not quite high than satisfaction of TKM study itself. Most of respondents agreed usage of medical devices. The more they thought that they had curriculum for western medicine, the lesser they thought that medical unification was ont needed. Further studies are needed to assess satisfactions of students for their education with more accuracy results.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.170-178
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• 2013

Objectives: Because TKM-related statistics are scattered in year books, white papers, or web services, it is not easy to use. This study aimed to build a TKM statistical database offering one-stop service. Methods: We collected TKM statistics from year books, white papers, and web services using TKM related keywords which came from the advanced study. Then we removed, merged, or split the statistics looking through data and meta-data of statistics to build a database. Results: First, we classified the statistics into 6 categories and found that the service category was 303, product category 37 and so on. Second, we analyzed the source of statistics and found that the Ministry of Health & Welfare and the Korea statistics were the strongest sources. Third, we analyzed the years of statistics and found that the oldest was 1962, 35% were within the past 3 years, and only 14% were over 10 years old. Finally, we found that the 415 statistics were composed of 1,120 items and the average was 2.70. Conclusions: Through this study we found that more sophisticated TKM statistics must be produced and developed specially in the education, research, and administration categories. We hope that the effort of TKM societies is available to eliminate the lack of statistical producer's understanding about TKM.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2018

Objectives : This survey assessed Korean medical doctors' (KMDs') use and perception of smoking cessation therapies in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) and their drawbacks. Methods : A total of 14,485 KMDs affiliated with the Association of Korean Medicine were sent surveys via email. They were asked the use and perception of smoking cessation therapies in TKM and their drawbacks: Present use of Korean medicine treatment for smoking cessation, ideal treatment for smoking withdrawal symptoms, advantages and disadvantages of smoking cessation treatments in Korean medicine were asked with closed-ended questionnaire. Results : Two hundred fifty-three KMDs (1.75%) responded to the questionnaire. According to the results of the study, more than half of KMDs (51.4%) answered that they have practiced smoking cessation therapy. The most frequently used treatments for smoking cessation were ear acupuncture (EA) (74.6%) and acupuncture (15.4%), and the most of TKM doctors said that they were the most effective treatments. The advantages of smoking cessation treatment in TKM were the fewer adverse events (53.4%), availability to stimulate acupoints continuously in everyday life (48.2%), and the possibility of controlling withdrawal symptoms. Disadvantages included the long treatment duration and the necessity of frequent visits to the doctor. The greatest disadvantage was the lack of sufficient evidence for the effectiveness of TKM smoking cessation protocols. Conclusions : Despite of the low response rate, the survey results show that the main treatment modalities for smoking cessation are acupuncture, and this was also estimated effective for stop smoking. However, to improve smoking cessation rate, the more various smoking cessation treatments should be developed.

• 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.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.15-23
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aims to develop a community care model in traditional Korean medicine (TKM) by developing a community care participation model for the health of the elderly and deriving tasks to implement it. Methods: This study implemented a group interview with experts. A fact-finding survey was conducted targeting 16 local governments that are implementing a leading project to identify the status of TKM service provision and welfare service linkage in all regions. An expert group interview (FGI) targeted public and private sector experts for each job role, the former represented by those in charge of the central government's health care policy and administrative delivery system, and the latter by professors majoring in social welfare, professors majoring in health, and local TKM societies. After forming the expert groups, three expert group interviews were conducted. Results: Through collective interviews with experts, a model for providing TKM and welfare services in community integrated care was derived by dividing it into local and central government levels. The strategies and tasks for promoting TKM-oriented health welfare services were derived from 3 strategies, 8 tasks, and 20 detailed tasks. Conclusion: The core direction of the TKM health care model is the region-centered provision of TKM and welfare services. To this end, policy support for the use and linkage of health care service resources is required at the central government level, and linkage and provision of health welfare services centered on TKM are necessary through linkage and convergence between service subjects and between government health care projects.