Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the news articles related to Korean Medicine(KM) and compare trends in news reports from 2018 to 2022. Method : News articles related to KM were collected through the BigKinds, the news bigdata service of the Korea Press Foundation. News reports from 1 January 2018 to 31 December 2022 were searched. 2,950 news articles out of a total of 12,497 met the inclusion criteria. First, quantitative changes in media coverage were analyzed by year, media outlet, and month. For qualitative analysis, two authors independently coded the content of news articles, discussed them until consensus, and consulted with a third researcher to classify them. In addition, keywords extracted by the BigKind's Topic Rank algorithm were compared and analyzed in each year. Results : The number of news articles on KM decreased by 42% in 2022 compared to 2018. Over a fiveyear period, the Naeil Shinmun reported the most on KM among newspapers, while the Hankyoreh did the least. Among broadcasters, YTN reported the most and SBS did the least. When analyzing the reports by category, the most common was 'treatment', followed by 'prevention' and 'scientification'. As a result of extracting keywords with high weight and frequency, 'immunity' and 'immune system' ranked the first and second in 2018, while 'COVID 19' and 'medical law violation' did in 2022. Conclusion : The decrease in media reports on KM during the COVID-19 epidemic period seems to be due to the limited role of KM in responding to infectious diseases, and efforts to expand the scope of KM can induce increased media reports and social interest.

Objective : This study was aimed to reassess the scope of practice for medical personnel based on laws. Method : The law specifying the scope of practice for medical personnel has been selected searching Korean Law Information Center(https://www.law.gov.kr). The result was categorized as 'examination, diagnosis, treatment, procedure, prescription, and others'. Results : The laws related to medical procedures were divided into three categories: diagnosis, treatments, and public health and others. In the field of diagnosis, traditional Korean medicine practitioners are generally allowed to play a role. However, some laws specify that only medical doctors can be the primary authorities for diagnosing infectious diseases. In the area of treatments, particularly in emergency medical situations, only medical doctors or nurses are typically mentioned. There are debates in the field of public health and other areas concerning issues such as vaccination, disability diagnosis, and the qualifications for health center directors. A reevaluation is also needed for the Occupational Safety and Health Act, where only medical doctors are set as the personnel standard for workers' health examinations. Conclusion : To safeguard and promote the health of the citizens, there is a need for a clear definition of the licensure and scope of practice for healthcare professionals. Consistent interpretation of conflicting provisions among various laws and clear criteria for the term 'physician' in legal contexts are essential.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to examine strategies for improving the school doctor of Korean medicine (SDKM) program through an analysis of the sex education case in the medical vulnerable area. Methods : Sex education was conducted by one SDKM in three elementary schools in Wando county. The contents of sex education focused on the characteristics of puberty and the prevention of sexual violence. The survey conducted on sex-related knowledge, desirable perception of sex, and satisfaction with education before and after the sessions. Results : A total of 316 students participated in the education. A survey was conducted with 130 participants, and all 130 responded to the pre-survey. In the post-survey, 113 participants responded. After education, the sexual knowledge score of students increased from 4.04±1.87 points to 5.02±1.79 points, and the average satisfaction score was 4.14±1.05. Conclusions : Sex education for students in the medical vulnerable area is an effective education that increases sex-related knowledge, positively changes sexual perception, and has high satisfaction. To improving SDKM program, development of a standardized education program and administrative support is necessary.

Objectives : Gumiganghwal-tang and its main components have been used for treatment of cough, headache, joint pain and fever. Using a respiratory inflammatory model, we intend to demonstrate the its anti-inflammatory effect and immune mechanism of Gumiganghwal-tang. Methods : We induced the respiratory inflammation mouse model by papain treatment. Female BALB/C mice (8 weeks old) were divided into three groups as follows: saline control group, papain treatment group (vehicle), papain and Gumiganghwal-tang (200 mg/kg) treatment group (n=4). To verify the anti-inflammatory effect of Gumiganghwal-tang extracts, we measured the infiltration of inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and nasal lavage fluid (NALF). Additionally, the efficacy of Gumiganghwal-tang extracts on Th2 cell population and alveolar macrophage in lung were analyzed by using flow cytometry. Results : Gumiganghwal-tang extracts administration decreased inflammatory cell infiltration in BALF and NALF, especially of eosinophils. Furthermore, interleukin-5 level was reduced in lung by drug administration. Interestingly, Gumiganghwal-tang extracts treatment also decreased the Th2 cell (CD4⁺GATA3⁺) population and increased the alveolar macrophage (CD11b⁺CD11c⁺) population in lung. Conclusions : Our findings indicate that Gumiganghwal-tang extracts have anti-inflammatory effects by mediating Th2 cell and alveolar macrophage cell activation.

Objectives : The objective of this study is to examine the findings of a survey assessing the treatment and management status of individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes, along with their inclination to participate in the Korean Medicine Chronic Disease Management Program. Methods : The survey focused on individuals with diabetes and pre-diabetes, gathering information on respondents' demographic details, diabetes diagnosis, duration of diabetes, attitudes and experiences regarding Korean medicine diabetes treatment, and their willingness to participate in the 'Korean Medicine Chronic Disease Management Program'. Results : 33.1% of participants reported prior experience with Korean medicine treatment for diabetes. The intention to actively utilize Korean medicine treatment was positively observed, with a response rate of 61.1% expressing a favorable inclination and 8.9% indicating a negative stance. Furthermore, 75.3% of patients expressed their intention to participate in the 'Korean Medicine Chronic Disease Management Program' in the future. Among those expressing this intention, 81.4% stated a preference for the 'Korean-Western medicine combined management' in the chronic disease management Program. Conclusions : Patients' willingness to participate in 'Korean Medicine Diabetes Management Program' is high, but lack of information about Korean medicine is a factor that deprives people of the opportunity to experience Korean medicine treatment, and non-medical factors such as difficulty in visiting and administrative complexity are factors that impede participation in the 'Korean Medicine Chronic Disease Management Program'. It should be considered for improvement when formulating policies.

Objectives : The purpose of this survey is to investigate the current status of violence that occurred in Korean medicine clinics targeting medical staff. Methods : First, questionnaires were developed to investigate the actual situation of violence against medical personnel occurring within Korean medicine clinics. The questions consist of five items on the characteristics of the respondent, ten items on identifying the actual state of violence against Korean medical workers, two items on relevance to COVID-19, two items on related legal issues, and three items on policies. The survey was conducted online from 16 November 2021 to 30 November 2021. Results : Total 519 Korean medical doctors responded to the questionnaire, and 314 (60.50%) responded that they had experienced violence demage while working. While the female staffs experience significantly more violence (𝜒²=18.398, p <0.001) and sexual violence (𝜒²=74.855, p <0.001) than the males, the males tend to be more exposed to physical assault than the female (𝜒²=3.900, p = 0.048). Conclusion : Through this study, we identified the situation of violence against medical staffs in Korean medicine clinics, and concluded that it should be necessary to establish strategies for the prevention and management of violence in a social and institutional way.

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the intention of chronic disease patients on revisiting and recommending those clinics to others. Methods : This study conducted the frequency analysis, Rao-scott chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis on 927 people, who answered that they had been diagnosed with a chronic disease, using data from the 2020 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey. Results : The results of analyses revealed that the attitude of medical staff, and the treatment results were the significant influencing factors on the intention to revisit and to recommend to others. Other than the above factors, the medical expenses were found to be important influencing factors on the intention to recommend to others. Conclusions : In order to increase the intention to revisit and to recommend to others a Korean Medicine clinics, the top priority lies in both proving high-quality medical services and promoting friendly attitudes of medical staff. In addition, it is necessary to actively utilize korean medicine to guarantee patients' medical options.