A Study on Cooperative Medical Treatment System between Oriental and Western Medical Practitioners

한.양방 협진체계 개발에 관한 연구

A study on cooperative medical treatment system between oriental and western medical practitioners was conducted from March through August 1997 in order to determine a productive model of cooperation of two medical parts for treatment of patients. Questionnaires were distributed to 195 medical doctors(M.D.) and 195 doctors of oriental medicine(O.M.D.) working in clinics and hospitals in six major cities. Statistical analysis tools used for this study were frequency, t-test and multiple regression by using SPSS/P.C package. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The respondents were composed of male docotors(78%) and female doctors(22%) and 68.2% of M.D. and 97% of O.M.D. were interested in the other medical part. The doctors of both disciplines had some limitation on treatment of patients but they were reluctant to refer their patients to other doctors in different discipline. 2. M.D assumed that oriental medicine was more effective for chronic diseases, and O.M.D. thought that western medicine was more effective for acute diseases. 92.3% of O.M.D.s responded that even though they do not utilize western medical technology for diagnosis, they believed the results of diagnoses by western medical technology. 3. 60.5% of O.M. and 93.3% of O.M.D. said that cooperative medical treatment system could be necessary for patients and it would be effective for control of diseases and 69% of western medical doctors and 99% of oriental medical doctors agreed that oriental medical practice would be more effective for cerebellar vascular accidents than other diseases. 77.4% of western medical doctors and 92.3% of oriental medical doctors responded that the students of two different disciplines have to be taught on the other disciplines. 82.6% of western medical doctors and 83.3% oriental medical doctors agreed that it would be necessary to have collaborative research between scientists in two disciplines. 81.5% of M.D.s and 93.3% of O.M.D.s believed that they had prejudice and distrust on other discipline 4.90% of the doctors were not satisfied with the government medical policies on health insurance, legal matters, and health delivery system. 5. 75.4% of M.D.s and 50.2% of O.M.D.s said that two medical disciplines should be integrated, but they were skeptical on that. 75.3% of M.D.s thought that western hospitals should employ O.M.D.s Finally this study recommended that western medical students study oriental medicine and the vice versa, and M.D.s and O.M.D.s should have seminars and workshops to exchange knowledge, and experiences. It is also recommended that medical laws be revised to allow medical doctors refer the patients whom they can not handle to oriental medical doctors and the vice versa.