Abstract
Objectives: Korean Medicine Doctors (KMDs) have treated patients with obesity using a holistic approach with a multicomponent approach on counseling. However, there is currently no data regarding KMDs' counseling practices for weight loss. We conducted a retrospective chart review to better understand the Korean medicine counseling practice for weight loss. Methods: Twenty-one KMDs were involved in this project as practitioners. The contents of counseling were categorized based on patterns according to the counseling manual for the standardized management of obesity in Korean Medicine. Results: The counseling was conducted based on the theory of Korean medicine and the contents of counseling were different from patterns. However, the quality of the counseling were different from each KMD, and the counseling were focused on evaluating patient conditions and not on providing specific recommendations for lifestyle changes. Conclusions: Therefore, specific guidance of counseling for healthier lifestyle and dietary habits, and the training of the standardized manual training are needed.