A Study on Cognition of Oriental Medical Hospital Employees on the Oriental Medical Institution Assessment

한방의료기관평가에 대한 한방의료기관 근무자의 인지도

Objectives: To determine the factors affecting the assessment of Oriental medical institutions under the Oriental Medical Institution Assessment System and thereupon, provide for some basic data and alternative measures for assessment of Oriental medical institutions. Methods: The researcher sampled 320 people employed by 26 Oriental medical institutions designated as model Oriental medical institutions subject to assessment in 2008 and 2009 and thereupon, used a structured and open-ended survey table for them to collect the data. The size of the final sample was n=302. Results: The Oriental medical institution staff were highly aware of the Oriental medical institution assessment (OMIA), After adjusting the other factors by multiple regression, the factors affecting such recognition were different significantly depending on age (those in their 30's), types of job (nurses and treatment assistants) and locations of hospital (GyeongSang-do). The staff expected the OMIA could helpful for improving facilities and system of hospitals, thus promoting satisfaction of patients. To do so, they felt it necessary to develop an assessment scale reflecting the special conditions besetting the Oriental medical institutions as well as the indices for improvement of Oriental medical service quality. Conclusion: It is hoped that this study will be followed up by future studies which will comparatively analyze Oriental medical institution staff's perception of the assessment system before and after its operation and thereby, suggest some ideal policy alternatives for assessment of the Oriental medical institutions. Furthermore, future studies are requested to research into Oriental medical institution staff's needs and consumers' needs as well in consideration of the characteristics of the Oriental medical institutions and thereupon, suggest some alternatives for continued education, development of the assessment tools, methods and policies.