Abstract
Backgrounds : In 2017, National Health Insurance implemented the pilot coverage program for Chuna manual therapy(CMT). 65 Korean Medicine(KM) hospitals and clinics were selected in the program to monitor the effectiveness and patients' satisfaction of insured CMT. Objectives : This study aimed to evaluate patients' satisfaction of CMT in the pilot coverage program of National Health Insurance. Methods : Survey participants were recruited among the patients who used CMT at the designated organizations. On-line questionnaire link was sent to the smart phones of patients who agreed to participate in the survey and provide personal contact information. The questionnaire consisted of the basic charactersitics of respondents, imformation on using CMT satisfaction with CMT and willingness to recommend CMT to others. The answers that were automatically coded and saved were statistically analyzed. Results : Of 386 participants who completed the questionnaire, 92.8% satisfied or strongly satisfied with the CMT. Most frequent reason of satisfaction was 'Good effectiveness', and there was no difference in satisfaction between patients of hospital and those of clinics. Patients with the highest and the lowest level of pain satisfied more than those with other pain levels(p=0.003), but the level of copayment and reasons of CMT use did not affect the satisfaction results(p=0.405). The proportions of respondents who had willingness to recommend CMT to others and to revisit for CMT use were 97.8% and 98.8%, respectively. Conclusions : Most patients were satisfied with CMT in the pilot coverage program, and it can provide the rationale for expanding the insurance coverage of CMT to all KM hospitals and clinics.
