• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.171-176
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• 2009

Objectives : The frequency of visiting clinics in Jejudo for treating atopic dermatitis (AD) has been reported to be higher than that for other counties of Korea. The aim of this work was to estimate the prevalence of AD for the students of the primary, middle and high schools in Jejudo, Korea. Methods : We planned to evaluate about 5,000 students, so classes were randomly selected by random systematic sampling methods. The parents of all the students in the selected classes were asked to respond to a structured questionnaire concerned with the prevalence of AD. Results : The prevalence of AD based on ever being diagnosed by a doctor, on currently being diagnosed by a doctor, on ever being treated for AD by a doctor, on currently being treated for AD by a doctor was 25.57% (95% CI=25.3-25.8), 14.67% (95% CI=14.5-14.9), 21.90% (95% CI=21.6-22.2) and 14.41% (95% CI=14.2-14.6), respectively. Conclusions : On comparing the prevalence of AD, the students in Jejudo had a higher number of recurrence events in spite of their lower number of cases. Further studies are needed to evaluate these aspects of AD.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.263-284
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• 2012

Medical Act. article 2 (3) stipulates that "a korean medicine doctor is in charge of providing korean medical practices and korean medical health guidance". But, without a definition article about korean medical practice, the legal concept of it is defined by supreme court cases according to specific legal trials. To establish the concept of korean medical practice, it must be included that the common parts of practice of medicine involving "the purpose of practice", "the subject of practice", "the object of practice" and "other dangers", as well as the special parts of conceptual elements of korean medical practice involving "korean medicine principle" and "differentiation" and also "manufacturing of korean medicine". Accordingly, the definition of korean medical practice is defined as examining, diagnosing, differentiating, prescribing, manufacturing of korean medicine, treating, korean medical care guiding so as to treat diseases and to promote and to maintain health, based on korean medicine as traditionally handed down from the nation's ancestors and korean medicine principle which is scientifically developed and applied and also includes a practice that will cause physiological danger to human body and/or bring harm to public health and sanitation if it is not perfomed by korean medicine doctor.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2002.10a
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• pp.177-178
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• 2002

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.15-22
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• 2017

Objectives : This study was conducted to identify awareness and satisfaction of herbal medicine preparations in Korean medicine doctor(KMD). Methods : The questionnaire consisted of three professors of Korean medicine based on previous researches and reports. The pilot survey was conducted to five KMDs who work in local clinic to get face validity. Based on the results of the pilot survey, three professors of Korean medicine completed the final version. Online surveys was conducted to member of the association of Korean medicine from march 25 to april 6 in 2016. Results : The proportion of patients who prescribe herbal medicine was not significantly correlated to gender (p=0.346), but significantly correlated to age(p<0.01), specialty(p=0.017), monthly income(0.022), and clinical experience(p<0.001). The most common reason for using the herbal preparations which is covered by NHI (National Health Insurance) was due to patient's payment(39.3%). Likewise, the most common reason for using the herbal preparations which is not covered by NHI was various kind of prescription(34.1%). Conclusions : The utilization of herbal preparations could be enhanced by expansion of NHI cover range of herbal preparations.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.141-148
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• 2006

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the medical underutilization for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) among Korean elderly men and we wanted to determine their associated factors. Methods : This study was conducted on 239 men with LUTS and 116 men with BPH who were compatible with the diagnostic criteria from a total of 641 participants. These participants were over 50 years old and they were randomly chosen in a community-based study for estimating the prevalence of BPH. Using a self-reported questionnaire, we surveyed the sociodemographics, health status, quality of life, lower urinary tract symptoms, medical utilization and reasons for not seeking treatment. Results : Only 27.6% of the men with LUTS and 31.0% of the men with BPH reported having visited a doctor for urinary symptoms. The reasons for not visiting a doctor were, in order of responses from the group with LUTS: 'considered the symptoms as a part of the normal ageing process', 'not enough time to visit a doctor', 'financial difficulty' and 'the symptoms were not severe or bothersome'. Regarding BPH, the responses were the same as those of the group with LUTS however, 'financial difficulty' placed second. Among the men with experience of visiting a doctor for urinary symptoms, 33.3% of those with LUTS and 28.1% of those with BPH were not treated. The most common reason in both groups was 'the symptoms were not severe to be treated'. On a multiple logistic regression analysis, the larger size household (odds ratio (OR) 3.03, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.40-6.54) and an unsatisfactory quality of life related with urinary symptoms (OR 2.98, 95% CI=1.23-7.21) were associated with medical utilization in the group of LUTS. For BPH, the current employment status was related with the medical utilization (OR 2.80, 95% CI=1.10-7.11), in addition to the larger size household (OR 3.24, 95% CI=1.14-9.21). Conclusions : Many men with urinary symptoms do not visit a doctor. This medical underutilization for people with LUTS and BPH may be associated with economic status in Korea.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.13-24
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• 2018

Objectives : According to the data from the 2016 Yearbook of Traditional Korean Medicine, 10 out of 12 medical schools of Korean medicine are offering medical ethics. Medical ethics has become essential in Korean medicine education, but there has been no agreement on the content of education yet, so initial discussions are necessary with respect to the content and methods of education. Methods : In this study, basic data were collected by searching papers, reports, books, and media articles on medical ethics related to Korean medicine education, and by studying the website of medical schools of Korean medicine nationwide. Based on the collected data, the status of medical ethics lectures were determined and compared with the current state of medical ethics lectures by western medical schools. The contents suitable for medical ethics education at medical schools of Korean medicine were discussed. Results : The topics of the medical ethics include: the basic concepts of medical ethics, the ethics of birth, the ethics associated with genetics, the ethics associated with death, and the ethics regarding doctor-patient interaction, the ethics of medical research, medical rationing ethics, ethics between medical staffs, medical law and ethics, philosophical base of medical ethics, ethics of doctor as professional, and moral personality formation of doctor. The contents of medical ethics in traditional Korean medicine reflected views on the human body and life based on "Huangdi's Internal Classic"and medical ethics from the viewpoints of Buddhism and Confucianism. Conclusions : Medical schools of Korean medicine are medical training institutions, and medical ethics education is essential to become a Korean medicine doctor as professional worker, medical practitioner, and biomedical researcher. There is no fundamental difference in the basic principles of medical ethics in both western and Korean medicine, and there are differences in contents depending on the clinical practice. The contents of medical ethics on clinical practice should be modified for Korean medicine doctors, and traditional Korean medicine ethics would be set up upon that. In the national licensing examination, medical ethics needs to be added as one part so that all the ethical problems related to the clinical situation can be solved.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.183-195
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• 2018

Objectives: To investigate validity and effectiveness of Saam five element acupuncture treatment in psychological problems. Methods: We selected a Korean medicine doctor known to apply Saam five element acupuncture treatment to the psychiatry field. An investigator visited the doctor's clinic to observe the cases and interview patients. Duration of each interview was 30 minutes to one hour. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for in-depth interviews. All interviews were recorded and converted into texts. Converted texts were then summarized and analyzed qualitatively. Results and Discussion: Treatment process of Saam five element acupuncture designed for psychiatric use is divided into four stages: qi transformation (氣化), acupuncture treatment, deep breathing, and acupressure. In the first stage, patients are asked to express their feelings and emotions in a physical sense; to imagine their feelings have colors, weight, and physical form, and to describe those characteristics. Next, the doctor evaluates each patient's qi according to the six qi (六氣), and then determines protocol of Saam five element acupuncture treatment. This treatment is focused on suffering of the patient and specific symptoms or emotions. The treatment duration is brief and changes in symptoms are frequently checked during treatment sessions. Without discussing details of stressful events, the doctor enables patients to express physical aspects of their feelings. He also provides them with psychoeducational resources. As a result, patients experienced immediate changes in body sensation, emotions and thinking, decreased response to triggers, and increased self-control after treatment. Conclusions: The Saam five element acupuncture treatment has the potential to be used as a treatment for psychiatric disorders. Treatment can be effective in managing psychiatric disorders when applied by primary Korean medicine clinics.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.66-73
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate effects of a critical pathway (CP) for stroke patients seen in emergency rooms (ER). Method: The CP developed by the CP committee consisted of 8 criteria: behavior of doctors and nurses, laboratory tests, Image testing, medication, treatment, activity, and nutrition. According to application of CP, a control group (n=17) and experimental group (n=17) were defined. Time was checked by the electronic medical records. Result: Use of CP for stroke patients in the ER, resulted in a decreased length of stay in ER (t=2.341, p=.026), and time required for image testing (t=2.623, p=.021), and an increased number of patients using rtPA ($x^2$=4.802, p=.049). Time required for neurology doctor contact, for neurology doctor to see patient in the ER, and for report of blood tests decreased, but there were no statistical significance. Conclusion: Quick responses are most important in the ER, so CP for these patients is a very effective patient management tool. To reduce delay in stroke diagnosis, continuous education programs for similar symptoms are necessary. CPs for other patients in the ER should be developed, and studies on cost and satisfaction, as well as length of stay, should be done.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.122-130
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• 2015

This study evaluated the meaning of the clinical clerkship through in-depth interviews with students who had experienced a clinical clerkship. The clinical clerkship is one of the most important steps in the curriculum for becoming a doctor. While students perform actual clinical practice, the experience also reinforces a great deal of medical knowledge and competence as a reserve doctor. However, departments that operate inefficiently have caused some problems. Therefore, this study analyzed the data from interviews of 25 students who finished the clinical clerkship in terms of the meaning of the clinical clerkship, the attitude of the students toward work in clinical practice, the attitude of professors toward the clinical clerkship, benefits, and drawbacks. Comments are feedback from a student's experience in the clinical clerkship, and they may be an important resource illuminating the current status of clinical practice. This study also discusses how to run an effective clinical clerkship by checking in with students on the problems they face in clinical practice.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.201-206
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• 2011

Purpose: Westernized eating habits have been associated with earlyage menstruation, which increases the incidence of dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome among adolescent girls. We therefore surveyed changes in menarche timing and the general menstrual characteristics of adolescent girls in Seoul, Korea. Methods: We surveyed 538 teenage girls who visited our hospital between July and November 2007. Items explored included age at menarche, general menstrual characteristics, occurrence of premenstrual syndrome and treatment thereof, and an association between present dysmenorrhea and a family history of the condition. Results: Average age at menarche was 12.6 years, with 29% (n=156) subjects beginning menstruation at age 12 years. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 82% (n=435). The main symptoms were abdominal (53.2%) and lower back pain (34.2%), and 15.2% of girls who experienced such symptoms required medication. Present dysmenorrhea, and a family history thereof, were statistically correlated (P<0.05). In addition, 58.8% (n=316) of teenage girls had symptoms of premenstrual syndrome. The most frequent psychological symptoms were fatigue (36.4%) and nervousness (38.7%), whereas the most common physical symptom was menstrual cramps (46.5%). Most subjects (87.6%) tolerated the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome without medication; 11.4% took medicines including painkillers; but only 0.1% of subjects visited a doctor. Conclusion: The average age at menarche in Korean girls was 12.6 years, thus younger than in the past. Most teenage girls experienced dysmenorrhea and premenstrual syndrome, but few consulted a doctor. Organized treatment plans are required to manage menstrual problems in teenage girls.