• Health Policy and Management
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.1-22
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• 2003

Since 1990s, the use of Complementary and Alternative Medicine(CAM) has been rising rapidly all of the world. In 1983, WHO recommended that the traditional medicine actively be utilized. At the end of 20th century, as chronic and intractable diseases increased in western countries, traditional medicine has attracted considerable attention. COWM shows possibilities of new approaches for these intractable diseases. Thus, we try to show our proper approach of COWM through the international comparative study. In order to fulfill the objectives, we applied the following methodology: 1) Literature review on previous study, 2) Local survey using self-administered questionnaire, and 3) FGI(Focus Group Interview) with local experts. The results were as follows : Three Asian countries, China, Korea and Taiwan, are very active in implementing COWM policy. Japan, however, has independent system of unified medicine. In regards to the combined care policy and system, China has the most advanced COWM system among four countries. In respect to combined care education, it is needed to increase the COWM education contents and the amount of cross educational curriculum. Based on the current COWM system, Chinese, Japanese and Taiwanese doctors can prescribe both oriental and western drugs. But, Korean medical law prohibits western doctors and oriental doctors from prescribing the counterpart´s medicine. So, the revision of current medical law is urgent for COWM in Korea. And when it comes to patient satisfaction, more than fifty percent responded positively in China, Korea and Taiwan. To achieve the goal of COWM ; 1) mutual understanding and recognition of COWM is essential. 2) institutional and legal support system for COWM is desperately urgent. 3) possible international collaboration and cooperation should be sought to untangle these complex cultural dilemmas.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.63-80
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• 2006

Public health oriental medical doctor has played a great role in providing oriental medical treatment and oriental medical health program with public health medical services, the basic infrastructure, however, is not sufficient. In this study, the researcher surveyed the treatment working or service condition of public health oriental medical doctor. 1. The payment, allowance of doctors are fixed upon the law and guideline according to the financial status of local government. The branch of public health center has more support like an official residence with expenses. 2. The public health center mainly has assitants and ratio of full-timer is more than the branch public health center without any assistants if any, they are temporary employee 3. The public health center has 5.22 beds while the branch has 3.14 beds. The daily average number of patient for public health center is 15.01 while the branch has 8.7 More than half of outpatients are over sixties with musculoskeletal disease. 4. Regarding the traveling clinic, the public health center put into more operation than the branch. The 3rd year serving public doctor gives negative about the traveling clinic much more than 1st and 2nd year serving public doctor. The treatment service condition of public doctor of the public health center is better than the branch doctor, but we are on the point of role-changing as health promotion and preventive treatment to bring up motivation, education and competence strengthening for execution the local-bound health program.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.141-154
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• 2021

Objectives: Pharmacopuncture is a Korean medicine treatment that combines acupuncture and herbal medicines. The aim of this study was to investigate the current usage status of pharmacopuncture for insomnia among Korean medicine doctors (KMDs). Methods: We conducted a self-reporting online survey targeting KMDs from February 23 to March 15, 2021 with cooperation of the Association of Korean Medicine. Responses of 957 KMDs were analyzed. Results: Types of pharmacopuncture mainly used in treatment for insomnia were placenta pharmacopuncture and Hwangryunhaedok-tang pharmacopuncture. Cephalic and facial region were preferred as the treatment site. For one treatment, total usage of pharmacopuncture was more than 0.5 cc but less than 1 cc. Among respondents, the largest number of respondents thought that clinical experience and patient symptoms were important as selection criteria of acupoints using Pharmacopuncture for insomnia. Average treatment duration of using Pharmacopuncture for insmonia was more than 4 weeks. Most KMDs preferred treatment for one to four times a week regarding the treatment cycle. The use of Pharmacopuncture for insomnia was recognized as having a good effect, although other KMDs were concerned about the insufficient evidence and the high cost due to non-reimbursement of pharmacopuncture therapy. Conclusions: In order to activate pharmacopuncture treatment for insomnia, it is necessary to secure effectiveness and safety through basic research, create evidence through clinical research, and reduce costs for patients.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine Ophthalmology and Otolaryngology and Dermatology
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.103-112
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• 2016

Objective : Thread embedding acupuncture has become popular as a minimally invasive treatment for facial wrinkles and laxity. However, there is little published clinical practice guidelines about disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture. This study is to introducing a specific guidelines about disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture.Method : We reviewed internal regulations and guidelines about hospital infection, and Traditional Korean medicine doctors, nurses, and director of central supply room discussed in depth and established a regulation of disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture.Result : The regulation of disinfection, sterilization and aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture consisted of ① management of supplies, ② guidelines of disinfection, sterilization, and reuse, ③ aseptic technique for thread embedding acupuncture.Conclusion : Microbial management is an essential element of medical care and quality. Traditional Korean medicine doctors will care for disinfection, sterilization, and this should not neglect to comply with the procedures and guidelines in the medical field as well as to understand the aseptic techniques.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.119-125
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• 2005

We conduct a survey of actual condition of medical devices in korea traditional medicine on 157 oriental medicine doctors and 183 manufacturers. The 61% percent of doctors indicate the trouble in use of medical devices which is applied to korea traditional medicine. The manufacturers replied that devices have a problem with diagnosis(53%) and treatment(36%). To overcome these problems, it is necessary to develop devices based on the study of basic oriental medicine and the reliable clinical research. This study contributes the improvement of quality and the revision of rules on medical devices.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.125-135
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• 2010

The aim of this study is to observe the spread and implementation of acupuncture as an official medical treatment in France. This research is based on the study of the scientific magazine produced by the Association of Acupuncturist Doctors of France from 1945 to 2008 as well as medical and sociological studies. Western medicine was introduced and spread in Korea about one hundred years ago and is the foundation of modern Korean medicine. Nowadays it is more commonly employed than traditional Oriental medicine. Oriental medicine was introduced in France in the 17th century but only acupuncture gained notoriety. The French Faculty of Medicine officially chose to legalize acupuncture after WWII but only allowed doctors to study acupuncture. It takes three years to obtain an Inter-University Degree(DIU) in acupuncture therapy. Why would the Faculty of Medicine make a holistic treatment system official that is in opposition to the systematic treatment method of the Western medicine? The second question posed is, does Western Academia still recognize acupuncture as a viable treatment method? The final question addressed is, has acupuncture any real impact on medical treatment of the French Society?

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.169-186
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• 2009

Obejectives : The electroacupuncture(EA) on regional fat is often used by oriental medicine doctors in Korea. However, there have been few studies about safety and biocompatibility of its application. Therefore we investigated the safety and change of mechanical character of electroacupuncture after its application on localized fat deposit. Methods : Online surveys were completed from Aug 21 2008 to Aug 28 2008, by email, the online survey data were obtained from nearly 10,002 Korean medical doctors who listed their email address on the website of association of korean oriental medicine. This study includes an experiment on the physical strength and biological property of long needles. We represent each method which were collected in advance survey, then sealed the needles off and did laboratory experiment, which includes surface observation, analysis, vickers hardness test, and also biocompatibility and toxicity test. Results : There was no considerable difference about the physical property after applying electric current, the cell survival rate did not change in comparison with controlled group either. Conclusions : Although it seems there are no considerable acupuncture-related problem, we still need additional studies about clinical effectiveness difference related operation condition. Besides, it will need research on the actual condition, standardization, and criteria about the comsumed needle in Korea.

• Journal of Korean Medical classics
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.83-93
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• 2017

Objective : Doctors' discussions on Makwon's warm-disease are studied in an effort to contemplate a way to use the outcome in practice. Method : Doctors' discussions on Makwon as found in researches and texts are categorized into physical and pathologica, and their symptoms and treatments are analyzed. Result & Conclusion : Many doctors of warm disease explained that, in terms of the physical aspect, Makwon is closely related to stomach. Some doctors also mentioned its relationship with triple engizers, defense and nutrient qi, and spleen. In terms of pathology, most of the doctors considered Makwon to be a hiding place of foul turbidity pathogen, and explained that a treatment has to be applied before the disease pattern worsens. Diverse syndroms of Makwonwere introduced. Their discussions mainly revolved around warm and epidemic or category of dampness-heat diseases. Alternating chills and fever was also mentioned often, and generalized pain, nausea, tongue of thick and slimy fur symptoms are shown. Ouguk's Dalwonneum is used as the basic treatment. The most effective prevention method of the incubation of pathogen are the symptoms that allows the analysis of the mechanism of disease. Therefore, a good utilization method of resolve turbidity with aroma or spices may contribute to the prevention of Makwon-disease in terms of cultural aspect.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.11-18
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• 2017

Objectives : In an effort to suggest a developmental plan of Traditional Korean Medicine health promotion project(TKM-HPP), this study was conducted to identify the problems experienced by public health Traditional Korean Medicine(PH-TKM) doctors in duty and to analyze successful cases of the health promotion project. Methods : Two PH-TKM doctors in duty at the Public Health Centre branch and Public Health Centre respectively, and one TKM doctor in charge of Public Health Centre participated in the in-depth interview. The research procedure was as follows; 1) inform study objectives and interview questions to participants, 2) in-depth interview with semi-structured questions, and 3) post-confirmation and verification. The interview was recorded and transcripted. In-depth interview was composed of 6 subsections: 1) Introducing participants and share purpose of interview, 2) Confirmation of the job status and difficulty of public health centre, 3) Reflecting and sharing experiences of public health clinic job performance cases, 4) Current status and improvement needs of TKM-HPP, 5) Discussions on improvement of TKM-HPP in public health center, 6) Sharing and reconfirmation of interview results. Thematic analysis was conducted from the narratives. Results : The study showed that; 1) the support from the local government was critical for the successful TKM-HPP and participation of the PH-TKMs; 2) the major problems experienced by PH-TKMs were lack of training for TKM-HPP in the field and lack of knowledge at local government level; 3) the suggestions to provide PH-TKMs with manual to educate residents effectively and redefine roles of PH-TKMs in the project. It also suggests that TKM-HPP model should be developed by the district in a way of reflecting regional characteristics. Conclusions : Firstly, more efforts should be made on the projects rather than medical treatment in public health centers, except for areas where medical institutions are scarce. Secondly, in order to facilitate participation of PH-TKM doctors, each local office should reduce medical care and increase efforts related with projects. Thirdly, the institution has to develop feasible TKM-HPP plans that can be carried out by PH-TKMs by the manual. Lastly, pre-training should be provided to PH-TKMs to understand contents of TKM-HPP related to public health centre work before the placement.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.97-103
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• 2009

The status and the property of a tongue are the important indicators to diagnose one's health like physiological and clinicopathological changes of inner organs. However, the tongue diagnosis is affected by examination circumstances like a light source, patient's posture, and doctor's condition. To develop an automatic tongue diagnosis system for an objective and standardized diagnosis, classifying tongue coating is inevitable but difficult since the features like color and texture of the tongue coatings and substance have little difference, especially in the neighborhood on the tongue surface. The proposed method has two procedures; the first is to acquire the color table to classify tongue coatings and substance by automatically separating coating regions marked by oriental medical doctors, decomposing the color components of the region into hue, saturation and brightness and obtaining the 2nd order discriminant with statistical data of hue and saturation corresponding to each kind of tongue coatings, and the other is to apply the tongue region in an input image to the color table, resulting in separating the regions of tongue coatings and classifying them automatically. As a result, kinds of tongue coatings and substance were segmented from a face image corresponding to regions marked by oriental medical doctors and the color table for classification took hue and saturation values as inputs and produced the classification of the values into white coating, yellow coating and substance in a digital tongue diagnosis system. The coating regions classified by the proposed method were almost the same to the marked regions. The exactness of classification was 83%, which is the degree of correspondence between what Oriental medical doctors diagnosed and what the proposed method classified. Since the classified regions provide effective information, the proposed method can be used to make an objective and standardized diagnosis and applied to an ubiquitous healthcare system. Therefore, the method will be able to be widely used in Oriental medicine.