• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.43-55
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• 2010

Objective : There is a growing interest on Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM). But the term 'CAM' often causes confusion, for the perception of CAM is determined by how the relationship between CAM and Conventional Medicine is established. Methods : In this paper, we researched the concept of CAM through the change in the terminology and definition of CAM throughout history. Furthermore, we also analyzed related papers in Korea. Results : International studies show that the relationship between Conventional Medicine and CAM has become more cooperative. Meanwhile, in Korea, Korean Medicine is categorized as a type of Conventional Medicine, not CAM. Conclusion : Though Korean Medicine is included in Conventional Medicine in Korea, the research methodology is still restricted in ways of bio-medical science. Further study on the original research method of Korean Medicine is needed.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.141-155
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• 2008

Traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine(CAM) constitutes a major source of health care in developing countries. Its therapies, products and practices are increasing used in industrialized countries, typically by around 50% of the population. However, controls on the provider of CAM services and supply and promotion of complementary medicines are weak in these countries. These trends evoke important public health questions relating to benefits and detriments, safety and quality from medical, financial, and social perspectives. In the western counties, investment in research is increasing, and some guideline is now available for ensuring their quality, efficacy, and safety according to the criteria of evidence-based medicine as legally demanded. National policies and legislation are being developed in many countries and often include partnerships between biomedical and traditional health practitioners. The purposes of the study were to review the policies on CAM, to examine the responses of the government to cope with use of CAM in industrialized countries. Lastly, some implications and recommendation are suggested.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.27-35
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• 2015

Objectives: In Korea, cancer is one of the most important causes of death. Cancer patients have sought alternative methods, like complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) together with Western medicine, to treat cancer. Also, there are many kinds of providers of CAM therapy, including providers of Korean oriental medicine therapy. The purpose of this study is to identify the behaviors of Korean oriental medicine therapy and CAM therapy providers who treat cancer patients and to provide background knowledge for establishing a new policy with the management and quality control of CAM. Methods: Structured and well organized questionnaires were made, and 350 persons were surveyed concerning the providers of CAM or Korean oriental medicine. The questionnaires were collected and analyzed. Results: The questionnaires (182) were collected. The questionnaires identified a total of 73 known providers, such as medicinal professionals or other providers of CAM suppliers, 35.6% of whom had had experience with treating cancer patients (52.6% vs. 29.6%). The treatment methods were a little different: alternative therapy and nutritional therapy being preferred by medicinal professionals and mind body modulation therapy and alternative therapy being preferred by other CAM providers. Four patients (7.4%) experienced side effects, and 6 patients (12.5%) experienced legal problems. As the method for managing the therapy, CAM providers, medicinal professionals, and other CAM providers had different viewpoints. For example, some CAM providers stated that both legislation and an official education on CAM or a national examination were needed as a first step to establish the provider's qualifications and that as a second step, a license test was needed for quality control. To the contrary, medicinal professionals stated that a license test was needed before legislation. Conclusion: Adequate management and quality control of CAM providers is thought to involve both education and legislation.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.137-149
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• 2010

In recent decades, as the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in the United State have been growing rapidly, regulatory controls surrounding complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) aims to ensure patient protection against unproven practices and to provide safe and effective treatments. Regulation and policy method on licensing CAM practitioners varies across the states. Over 85% of the states have the licensing system for acupuncturists, chiropractors, and naturopaths. For acupuncture, although the requirements for formal education are various across the states, a unified written examination has been adopted by almost entire states which have acupuncturist licensing law. Medicare, the public medical insurance, does not cover CAM practices except chiropractic and biofeedback. In some states, however, Medicaid programs cover some CAM therapies including acupuncture, naturopathy, and massage therapy. 67% of Health Maintenance Organizations, the private health plans, provide at least one modality of CAM services. In conclusion, government policies have been strengthened to ensure patient protection, and will continue to integrate CAM practices that are proven to be safe and effective into mainstream health care system.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.13-22
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• 2015

Objective : The aim of this study was to review the use of Korean medicine (KM) or Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) therapies among children with cerebral palsy (CP). Method : Literature searches were performed using Pudmed, CNKI, J-STAGE and four Korean databases. We investigated the frequency, types, predictors of the use of KM or CAM therapies used in children with CP. Results : Thirteen survey studies including use of KM or CAM among children with CP were selected - six Korean studies and seven overseas studies. The utilization rate of CAM among children with CP varied 26.8~56.0% according to the studies. CP children used KM or CAM more than other children with chronic disease. Acupuncture and Korean herbal medicine was the major treatment used in Korea, however physical manipulations such as massage, osteopathy and chiropractic were in high demand in western country. Disease severity of CP, use of CAM in the past by the parent or family member and high education of parent are the factors that significantly affect CAM utilization. Conclusion : Further studies on effectiveness and safety of KM therapies combined with conventional rehabilitation treatment would be required to expand the implementation of KM treatment for CP children.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.267-277
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• 2012

The purpose of this descriptive research is to identify the recognition and attitude of college students towards Complementary & Alternative Medicine (CAM). The subjects of the study were 620 students of a junior college in the D metropolitan city. The data was collected from July 2 to July 31, 2012 and SPSS/WIN 18.0 program was used to analyze the data. From the comparison of CAM recognition between the two groups. There were significant differences for each item of CAM recognition. For the attitude on CAM, there were significant differences between the two groups. There needs to be more follow-up studies based on the current study in order to establish the basic data that can help find specific educational methods for the areas of CAM that lack recognition from the students.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.27-40
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• 2003

Objective： To determine second, third and fourth-year medical students' opinions and knowledge related to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in a school with no requirement or elective course on the subject. Study Design： A questionnaire was offered to second, third and fourth-year medical students of the Medical College of Kosin University from August 7th, through August 30th, 2003. Results： Most students had been exposed to CAM therapies, knew that the majority of the South Korean public was using CAM, believed that some CAM interventions were useful, and did not believe CAM therapies were a threat to public health. Only one fifth of the students(22.5％) disagreed that they had to have requirement or elective course on CAM in their curriculum. Most students had insufficient knowledge or understanding of the safety or lack of it for ten of the more common CAM modalities. Most respondents thought these interventions were useful, but would not refer a patient nor dissuade a patient from seeking out such interventions. Conclusion： Medical students in this school self-identified an interest about the clinical usefulness of ten CAM modalities, but did not have sufficient knowledge about the safety for ten of the more common CAM modalities. Including CAM topics in the medical school curriculum would better prepare physicians to respond to patient inquiries about CAM and thereby to fulfill their role as patient advocates.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) used among degenerative arthritis patients in Korea. Method: This study used a descriptive survey method. Study subjects of the study were 278 degenerative arthritics selected from hospitals located in Kyungpook province and Daegu city. Data were collected between February 15, 2007 and March 31, 2007. Results: 62.6% of degenerative arthritics had used CAM. Manipulative Methods has shown to be one of the most effective methods on CAM. The utilization of CAM may be interpreted mainly due to the desperate need find therapeutics of their disease by all possible means (57.5%). Major factors that affect the decision of the patient include family, relatives, friends(42%), and the other patients who were in the similar circumstance (32.8%). Effectiveness of CAM has shown the following result "for complete cure of symptoms(77.0%), for health promotion (42.0%) and for psychological stabilization (29.9%)". 43.7% of the patients answered that they stopped of using CAM because of non-effectiveness. Conclusion: This study found that CAM among degenerative arthritic patients was a popular alternative method. Therefore, some nursing-oriented intervention method is needed together with a systematic guidelines of CAM usage is required.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.143-152
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine the perceptions that current Korean medical students have towards the practice and efficacy of Complementary Alternative Medicine (CAM). Methods: A survey questionnaire was given to 91 Korean medical students assessing their attitudes towards CAM. Results: 1) Most students (82.4%) expressed concern about CAM. 2) Many students (59.3%) expressed a positive attitude towards the efficacy of CAM. No surveyed student (0%) thought the efficacy of CAM was due to the placebo effect. 3) Many students (75.8%) posited that Korean Medicine would ultimately absorb CAM to facilitate the development of Korean medicine. 4) Most surveyed students (87.9%) answered they planned to integrate the use of CAM in their clinical practice. Conclusions: The survey questionnaire results suggests that Korean medical students have a positive perception toward CAM. They also have an affirmative attitude towards the clinical use of CAM.

• Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.21-25
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• 2005

Background and Objectives: The popularity of complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) has grown at an astonishing rate in recent years. Because patients are interested in CAM and want to use it, physicians also should be concerned about CAM and know about the current situation of its usage. In this study, we tried to determine the prevalence of CAM use in the patients with head and neck cancer and correlate with demographics and tumor characteristics. Materials and Methods: A total of 87 patients with head and neck cancer previously treated with surgery at Seoul National University Hospital from March through June, 2004 were enrolled in this study. The patients were completed, questionnaire about the use of CAM and demographic information. Tumor characteristics were obtained from the patient's medical records. Results: Of the 87 patients, 33 patients(37.9%) use at least one CAM. There was no statistically significant correlation between patient's data and prevalence of CAM use. Of those patients using CAM, 16(48.5%) of 33 were using 2 or more therapies. The majority of agents used by patients in this study are mushrooms such as Phellinus and Reishi, followed by dietary therapy. A majority(60.6%) of patients were introduced to alternative medicine by friends or family members. Conclusion: Considerable cancer patients use CAM. Head and neck oncologists should inform themselves about CAM to counsel and educate the patients. Further scientific investigations on promising CAM agents may help advance cancer treatment.