A Study on the Development of Statistics in Korean Medicine

한의약 분야 통계 개선방안에 관한 연구

Objective : This study aims to review the current status and problems of Korean Medicine and attempts to come up with the means to present a comprehensive and effective set of statistical data. Methods : We have analyzed the current statistics and tried to show how to establish an effective system to gather and organize statistics related to Korean Medicine, including national surveys by the Ministry of Health and Welfare or other relevant insititutions. Results : The existing statistics in Korean Medicine were established not as a result of national demand based on comprehensive analysis but due to the demand of the government ministries such as the Ministry of Health and Welfare or other relevant institutions. Thus, the statistics have been revealed to possess limitations such as a lack of systemization and consistency. In addition, the statistics analyze only the current industrial status of Korean Medicine, and as a result the information in unable to show systematic data for innovation, which is indispensable for the advancement and development of the Korean Medicine industry. Conclusion : To improve the statistical data in Korean Medicine, the statistics need to get over not only the level of management or regulation in Korean Medicine, but also the production of fragmentary statistics. It has to ultimately reflect the innovative activities in Korean Medicine nationally, and show what we need to advance and develop the industry.