• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.149-156
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• 2018

Traditional medicines (TM) in Korea, China, and Japan share most of the theories and therapeutic tools, but there are also differences due to their unique histories and cultures. Here, we aim to identify the differences in the utilization of TM theory between three countries by analyzing herb usage data in terms of the related traditional theories. Herb usage data of each country was collected from "Investigation of Korean medicine use and herbal medicine consumption survey" (Korea), "Analytical report on circulation of key Chinese medicinal materials" (China), and "Survey report on raw material crude drug usage" (Japan). Fifty five herbs with sixty features belonging to five theoretical categories (four properties, five tastes, targeting meridians, treatment strategies, and herbal parts) were selected and analyzed. Weight Sum Model (WSM) and Network-Based Group Features (NBGF) were used to compare the theoretical characteristics of TM between three countries. For the statistical evaluation, we developed and applied Herb Set Enrichment Analysis (HSEA) for WSM and NBGF results. HSEA for WSM results revealed the kidney meridian were targeted more in Korea than Japan, while the spleen meridian were targeted more in Japan than Korea. Herbs with sour taste were used more in Japan than China. HSEA for NBGF results found that NBGF including warm, neutral, sweet, and tonifying features were more dominant in Korea and than Japan, while NBGF including cold, bitter, heat-clearing features were more dominant in Japan than the others. These results suggest that TM in Korea, China, and Japan have unique aspects of practice patterns and theoretical utilization.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.75-85
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the association between the satisfaction of Korean Medicine users and their intention to revisit and to recommend to others. Methods : This study conducted frequency analysis, chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis on 1,010 male and female Korean Medicine users aged 19 or higher in the country using data from the 2017 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey. Results : The results of analyses revealed that the facilities in Korean Medicine clinics, the results of treatment, and the attitude of nurses and medical staff were the significant influencing factors on the intention to revisit and to recommend to others. Other than the above factors, the attitude toward medical treatment of Korean Medicine doctors and the satisfaction with an explanation of the treatment procedures 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 kind attitudes of medical staff.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.83-95
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• 2023

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.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.49-58
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• 2022

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to analyze the factors affecting the intention of traffic accident patients, who had visited Korean medicine clinics for the purpose of treating traffic accidents, 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 389 people, who answered that they had once visited Korean medicine clinics for treatment in traffic accidents, using data from the 2020 Korean Medicine Utilization and Herbal Medicine Consumption Survey. Results : As a result of the analyses, it was revealed that the significant influencing factors entailed marital status, job status, the attitude of medical staff, and access to the Korean medicine clinics, while only access to the Korean medicine clinics was a significant influencing factor for the intention to recommend to others. Especially, the intention of to revisit and to recommend in case of satisfying access to the Korean medicine clinics were 8.476 times and 6.784 times higher than when it is not the case. Conclusions : The results of this study reflect the characteristics of automobile insurance, and indicate that both further study and policy establishment on the operation of the automobile insurance system are required to ensure sufficient treatment for traffic accident patients.

• 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 The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.104-109
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• 2008

Purpose: Unrefined tablets prepared from Aconitum tubers are occasionally used in Korean folk medicine. This study defines the potential sources, clinical toxicology, and treatment of aconitine poisoning. Methods: A retrospective survey was conducted in 63 patients in the ED of a tertiary University Hospital with suspected toxicity from an unrefined tablet prepared from Aconitum tubers from 1999 to 2007. Results: A total of 63 cases enrolled included 26 men and 37 women, aged 30 to 86 years. Forty-eight patients ingested aconitine tablets as digestives, 26 tablets on average. After a latent period of 30 to 450 minutes, patients developed a combination of neurologic (87.3%), gastrointestinal (82.5%), cardiopulmonary (41.3%), and other (28.6%) features typical of aconitine poisoning. Initial ECG abnormalities revealed dysrhythmia (61.9%), conduction disturbance (42.9%), and abnormal waveforms (39.7%), with 28.6% of patients having normal ECGs. All patients received supportive treatment or close observation regardless of ingestion amounts. Patients with hypotension or ventricular arrhythmia were treated with inotropic agents or amiodarone. Conclusion: Toxicologic signs and symptoms can occur after the consumption of aconitine tablets, regardless of ingestion amount. The risk occurs because of inadequately processed aconitine roots. This study will provide important data for public education and distribution regulations for Aconitum sp. in Korea.