• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.327-334
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact on people's willingness to take korean medicine based on the perception of korean medicine treatment effects by disease, and provide basic data when the herbal medicine (pharmacology) health insurance pilot project is carried out. The survey 'Usage and Consumption of Korean Medicine Report in 2017' was used, and frequency analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were conducted on 3,032 people. Logistic regression results showed that the perception of herbal treatment effects on digestive diseases and arthritis was a significant factor in the future intention to take korean medicine. As the herbal medicine health insurance pilot project aims to popularize herbal medicine treatment through the management of the quality of korean medicine by incorporating it within the system, it is necessary to consider highly acceptable digestive diseases and arthritis when expanding target diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.67-81
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to analyze the report conducted in 2014 by the Ministry of Health and Welfares on influences of private insurance coverage on the use of Korean medicine. Methods : We analyzed Ministry of Health and welfares report on the use and consumption of Korean medicine to fit the purpose of this study. Comparison between private insurance holders and non-holders was made in the areas of sociodemographic characteristics, patient distribution by disorders, total number of disorders and existence of complex diseases, general perception of Korean medicine, and medical expenses and visits. Logistic regression analysis was made to verify the private insurance coverage. Results : Among sociodemographic characteristics, significant differences were observed in age distribution, education, professions, income level, and housing factors. But genders, area of residence, and marital status didn't show significant differences. Other significant differences including side effects, experience with Korean medicine, herbal medicine and acupuncture treatments, and main visiting facilities were shown between private insurance holders and non-holders. Majority of disorders treated with Korean medicine were musculoskeletal issues, and criteria of number of disorders, multiple diseases factors, and medical expenses/visits showed significant differences between the two groups. Conclusions : Summarizing above results indicate that holding a private insurance in addition to National Health Insurance contributes significant influences on the use of Korean medicine.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.85-98
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• 2021

Objectives : This study aimed to analyze characteristics of the Korean Medicine users aged 19-39 years, the determinants of Korean Medicine use and effects of Korean Medicine use experience on behavioral intentions among youths. Methods : We studied Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey(2017) data set by complex-sample survey data analysis. In order to derive the characteristics of younger users, Rao-scott χ² test and t-test were conducted. Through multiple logistic regression model adjusted by general characteristic variables, the determinants and behavioral intentions of the Korean Medicine utilization among youths were derived. Results : Fist of all, young users and non-users have significant differences in socio-demographic characteristics and perception on Korean Medicine. Among the general characteristic variables, region, age, marital status, occupation, chronic disease, and private health insurance plans had an effect on the Korean Medicine use in young people(Model II). And adjusted by general characteristic variables as control variables, awareness of Korean Medicine and perception of safety of herbal medicine were deduced as determinants of Korean Medicine use(Model III). Secondly, Korean Medicine use experience increased intentions to use and recommend Korean Medicine services(Model IV-1, 3). Conclusions : In order to increase the use of Korean Medicine among young people, Korean Medicine institutions should strive to increase users' satisfaction, and public health insurance coverage for Korean Medicine services needs to be expanded.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.29-46
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• 2013

A survey conducted on 1,103 patients or caretakers visited Korean medical clinics and hospitals between August 25, 2011 to September 30, 2011 by the Ministry of Health and Welfares and Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs was analyzed and obtained following results: 1. For sociodemographic distribution, female(813) outnumbered male(290) patients with majority of patients ranging from 30s to 60s. Married patients(793) outnumbered unwed(150) patients and 65.0% with higher than high school education. Statistical significance was seen in gender, age, marital status, and education level but no significant difference for status of employment, income level, and types of insurance between the clinics and hospitals. (P<0.05). 45.1% had less than \2,000,000 in monthly salary and most of coverage was provided by either regional or work insurance. 2. 67.9% of the patients rated health conditions to be better than average and 32.1% listed as poor. People in good health showed tendency to visit Korean medical facilities. Musculo-skeletal conditions such as arthritis, ankle sprain, lumbago, muscular injury, and frozen shoulder were common conditions, followed by gastric disorders, common cold and herbal tonics. No significant difference was observed between the clinics and hospitals for above conditions, but significance was seen in atopic dermatitis, stroke, and sequela from traffic accidents (P<0.05). 3. Ten most common conditions addressed at Korean medical facilities were lumbago, arthritis, muscular injury, back sprain, gastric disorders, ankle sprain, common cold, herbal tonics, frozen shoulder and stroke. Major treatment modalities rendered were herbal medicine, herbal supplements, acupuncture and moxibustion, cupping, tuina, and Korean midical physical therapy. No significant difference existed between the clinics and hospitals. 4. All modalities showed at least 85% effectiveness. No statistical significant difference between the clinics and hospitals except for herbal decoction. (P=0.0452) 5. 88.3% of responses showed treatment satisfaction with significant difference between the clinics and hospitals (P=0.002). The occurrence of side effects was at 2%, mostly corning from treating digestive, skin, kidney disorders and neurological issues. No significant difference was observed between the clinics and hospitals. From the above results, the typical population visiting Korean medical facilities can be summarized as being middle aged female with relatively higher education and moderately low income. The health condition is generally good and the purpose of visit is to receive traditional treatments of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and physical therapy. Treatment efficacy and satisfaction were high with no significant differences between the clinics and hospitals.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.29-43
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• 2015

Objective : The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of patients' self-perceived health in traditional Korean medical facilities. Method : This research was conducted based on the survey on patients whom have visited traditional Korean medical facilities in 2011 by the Ministry of Health and Welfares and Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs. Using a sample of 3,931 (1,180 male and 2,751 female) outpatients' self-perceived health based on the data from usage and consumption of Korean Medicine. 'Healthy', 'Fair', and 'Poor Health' were used to measure patients' self-perceived health status. The data was analyzed by frequency, t-test, cross correlation analysis and multiple logistics regression analysis using the SPSS program package. Results : Sex(P<0.001), age(P<0.001), marital status(P<0.001), education(P<0.001), employment status(P<0.001), occupation(P<0.001), health insurance(P<0.001) and income level(P<0.0001) showed statistical significance. Main Treatment Facilities(P<0.001), experience of taking Korean medicine(P=0.032), experience of receiving acupuncture treatment(P<0.001), number of visits(P<0.001), medical expense (P=0.005), and subjective health status after the treatments showed statistical significance for Korean herbal medicine(P=0.038), acupuncture (P=0.001), cupping therapy(P=0.006), oriental physiotherapy(P=0.003), and treatment satisfaction(P<0.001). For subjective health status based on suffering disorders in the past three months, the response of poor health was higher in the group suffering recent illnesses. Statistical significance was seen in hypertension (P=0.002), arthritis(P<0.001), lumbar pain(P<0.001), diabetes mellitus(P=0.001), stroke(P<0.001), hwa-byung (P=0.001), gastric disorders(P=0.021), common cold(P<0.001), ankle sprain(P<0.001), muscular injury(P<0.001), lumbar sprain(p=0.009) and fracture(P=0.03). Also the number of diseases during the past three months showed statistical significance(P<0.001). Statistical significance was also seen in Level of knowledge(P<0.001), route of information(P<0.001), reliability of Korean medicine(P=0.003), insurance coverage(P=0.005), medical costs(P<0.001), and future willingness to use Korean medicine(P<0.001). As a result of the multiple logistics regression analysis, risks of subjective poor health statistically increased in female population, elderlies, medicaid beneficiaries, less educated, higher medical expense, and more disorders during the past three months. Conclusion : Patients' self-perceived health status has significant differences with each variables such as sex, age, marital status, education, health insurance, medical expense, number of diseases.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.41-53
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• 2018

Objectives : It was to classify and its affecting factors to the patients of Korean medicine hospital with short term and long term hospitalization. Methods : I focused on long-term hospitalized patients. I was conducted on 344 hospitalized patients among the original data of usage and consumption of Korean medical report in 2014. Among those patients, I have classified them into long term inpatients(131 patients) and short term inpatients(213 patients) based on 16 days of hospitalization. Also multiple regression analysis was conducted to investigate the characteristics of the hospitalization, treatment satisfaction and dissatisfaction, the characteristics of long term hospitalization according to the sociodemographic of the subjects, the top 21 diseases and the distribution of human bodies, side effects and kinds of Korean medicine. Results : There was a statistically significant difference between the short term and long term hospitalized patients due to age, occupation, marital status, all 21 diseases and institutional fees, experience of Korean medical treatment due to traffic accidents. There was no significant difference in gender, education level, residence, income level, type of medical insurance, whether private insurance, type of medical treatment for Korean medicine, medical expenses for car accidents, reason for dissatisfaction with treatment. The number of long term patients at Korean medicine hospitals increased by a statistically significant by age in model 1 where confounding factors were differently controlled. In model 2, the number of long term patients at Korean medicine hospitals increased by a statistically significant by age, among those who earned 5,000,000 Korean won or more, and among those with nerve diseases. The number of long term patients at Korean medicine hospitals decreased by a statistically significant amount among the unemployed and others in model 2. In model 3, the number of long term patients at Korean medicine hospitals increased by a statistically significant by age, among those who earned 5,000,000 Korean won or more, and among those with nerve diseases, while the number decreased by a statistically significant amount among the married. Conclusions : These results suggest that the factors affecting the short term and long term hospitalization of patients with Korean medicine hospital are different from each other. Especially it was significant by age, over 5,000,000won Income per month, nerve disease, but decrease significant married.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.31-45
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• 2014

Objective : This study was intended to provide information pertaining to reasonable consumption of medical services based on comparative analysis of the characteristics of musculoskeletal diseases(MSDs) among outpatients of Korean medical institutes, and furthermore help lay groundwork for mapping out effective Korean medical policies. Method : Based on the data of 3,889 outpatients of Korean medical institutions which were obtained from the Ministry of Health and Welfare's 2011 Report on usage of Korean medicine, the analysis was carried out by using the SAS 9.2. Results : 68.2% of subjects were found to use Korean medicine(KM) for the treatment of MSDs. Patients with MSDs were older than those with nonmusculoskeletal diseases(NMSDs). And married state, education, employed state and incomes are effected on MSDs and NMSDs. Subjective health status, number of outpatient treatments, medical cost, medical treatment satisfaction, and habitue status are depend on MSDs or NMSDs. Acupuncture and physical therapy is Major treatments of subjects investigated to have the highest treatment effect. It was found that they had high degree of satisfaction with Korean medicinal outpatient treatments, and those with MSDs were found to have significantly greater satisfaction than those with NMSDs. Conclusion : Although aforesaid results suggest significant satisfaction with KM and high treatment effects for MSDs. Accordingly it is considered necessary to develop various services related to KM for treatment of MSDs and to plan for cost down of KM. Moreover, in-depth research into NMSDs is required for utilization growth of KM.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.95-107
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• 2015

Objective : To use and its affecting factors of patients' outpatient treatment that have single and multiple chronic illnesses Method : We used the 2011 study by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, "Report on Usage and Consumption of Korean Medicine." This report was conducted on outpatients and inpatients that visited Korean traditional medicine, from August 25th, 2011, to September 30th, 2011. Our research was based on 1729 patients with chronic diseases aged 30 and over who received outpatient treatment during the last three months. Results : There were 1365 patients with non-complex chronic diseases, while there were 364 patients with complex chronis diseases. Patients had 1 - 8 chronic diseases, and the average number (standard deviation) was 1.26 (0.59). There were statistically significant differences by sex(P<0.0001), age(p=0.0045), marriage (p=0.0060), education level(p<0.0001), income level(P=0.0063), and types of health insurance(p=0.0023). The diseases most common among patients with non-complex chronic diseases were: low back pain, arthritis, gastrointestinal disorder, frozen shoulder, side effects from motor accidents, high blood pressure, fracture, stroke, diabetes, cancer, atopic dermatitis, and asthma. The diseases most common among patients with non-complex chronic diseases were: arthritis+low back pain, low back pain+gastrointestinal disorder, low back pain+side effects from motor accidents, low back pain+frozen shoulder, arthritis+gastrointestinal disease, gastrointestinal disease+frozen shoulder, arthritis+low back pain+gastrointestinal disease, high blood pressure+arthritis, arthritis+low back pain+frozen shoulder, arthritis+fracture, and arthritis+side effects from motor accidents. There were statistically significant differences among the usage of medical clinics by: frequently used clinic (p<0.0001), number of treatment (p<0.0001), the cost of outpatient treatment (p=0.0073), the satisfaction rate (p=0.0171), whether the clinic is the preferred clinic (p=0.0040). In model 1, men than women, people who had local benefits instead of type 1 medical aid, and patients with complex chronic diseases were more likely to use Korean medical clinics. In model 2, men than women, people who had local benefits than people with types 1 and 2 medical aids, people who went to pharmacies and Korean medicine pharmacies than people who went to hospitals, people who went to get treatment 1-10 times than people who visited 11-20 times and more than 41 times, and people who spent less than ten thousand Korean won than people who spent 1 to 2 million Korean won, and people without complex chronic diseases were more likely to use Korean medical treatment. Conclusion : There were differences in sociodemographic characteristics and the usage of medical clinics between patients with non-complex chronic diseases and patients with complex chronic diseases. Among patients with complex chronic diseases, women, patients with types 1 and 2 medical aid, patients who used Korean medical clinics, patients who were treated 11-20 times and more than 41 times, and patients who spent 1 million to 2 million Korean won on outpatient treatment used less treatment than patients with non-complex chronic diseases. However, patients with complex chronic diseases used pharmacies and Korean medicine pharmacies more.