• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.67-81
• /
• 2012

Objective : This study aimed to analyze the utilization of Korean Medicine clinics, and high-frequent diseases by sex, age, and region of outpatients and inpatients Methods : The data for this study were "Report on Usage Patterns of Korean Medicine Clinics" issued by the Ministry of Health and Welfare in 2008. Descriptive analysis and correspondence analysis were used to find the patterns of patient's utilization by sex, age and region Results : Diagnosis and examination methods mostly consisted of the pulse for diagnosis. Treatment methods consisted of acupuncture, medical herbs in package, and insurance extract powder. Fee for consultation was paid by Korean Medicine insurance. Usage increased when people's age was over 20 and climaxed among people who were in their 40s and 50s and decreased gradually afterwards. Also, there were differences between the sexes. There were differences in high-frequent diseases by regions, and in usage of Korean Medicine clinics according to sex and age. Conclusion : It was found that there were differences in usage and patterns of Korean Medicine Clinics according to sex, age, and region.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.69-76
• /
• 2011

This study focuses on the origin and the literature of eyelid-acupuncture, nunchim therapy in Korea and its present clinical usage in modern Korea. The therapy is called nunchim at local area of Korea and has been transmitted as folk remedy because its real practice has been fallen into oblivion in the regular medical institution in modern Korea. On the contrast, some old women called nunchim-halmae, still know its practice and give medical therapy in a certain irregular way. While many kinds of eye clinics are prevalent in Korea, some patients with chronic eye diseases still go to get the nunchim therapy from nunchim-halmae. Moreover some oriental medical doctors have learned the therapy from nunchim-halmae and performed that medical service in their clinics in spite of absence of medical insurance coverage. Nunchim has unique historic origin and transmission linage in Korea, which was shed light on by this research. We present concise structure of the essence of nunchim therapy and 80 year old woman case of dramatic eye curing with the therapy.

• Journal of Korean Society for Geospatial Information Science
• /
• v.23 no.3
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2015

Current medical delivery system in Korea has been distinguished into three types; primary medical facilities, secondary facilities, and tertiary facilities since 1989. This system prevents the waste of medical resources along with the maintenance of balance according to the medical treatment subjects. However, it is inevitable that the imbalance of the medical services among regions has been generated due to the concentration of the medical facilities on large cities. In this regard, this study attempted to evaluate the quality of the primary medical services, emphasizing accessibility and convenience targeting Jinju city, a small and medium-sized city, based on the distribution characteristics of the space. The study results show that cohesion index about the spatial distribution of the primary care facilities was 0~0.25. It conducted a correlation analysis between the location of the hospitals and users, based on the study results. Finally, it is demonstrated the correlation between the location of the hospitals and users tended to be low, while, the cohesion of the Oriental medicine clinics was high in other treatment subjects, and the accessibility to the Oriental medicine clinics was the highest because most Oriental medicine clinics were distributed to the places where users were many. However, on account that the locations of the medical facilities and users were varied in other treatment subjects except for the Oriental medicine clinics, problems were generated in terms of the accessibility. Therefore, it is judged that the preparation of the measures to improve the selection of lots in consideration of users, who use the primary medical services, is required.

• The Journal of the Society of Korean Medicine Diagnostics
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.205-216
• /
• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study is to help improve the management of traditional Korean medical(TKM) clinics and the policies for supporting them, by conducting a survey of the practitioners of TKM. Methods Stratified sampling was conducted based on regional location, and 700 samples were selected in a random manner from the membership list. The questionnaire was delivered and returned by mail. The survey was conducted between 20 July and 31 August 2010. A total of 177 questionnaires (recovery rate: 25.28%) were recovered and analyzed for the study. Results 1. The the survey indicate that the overall size of TKM clinics has fallen compared with previous survey, while the average number of beds per clinic has remained unchanged at 7.9. The sale of medicine as a proportion of total monthly sales has increased. 2. There has been no change in the composition of clinical staff as there are three nursing assistants. Although the average daily number of patients to clinics has remained at around 33.90 compared with ten years ago, the number of patients requiring seeking acupuncture treatment has increased while the number of those treated with medication has decreased. 3. Clinicians in TKM have indicated their preference for a binary system that separates TKM from western medicine (57.4%). The respondents do not favor the separation of dispensary from medical practice (81.5%), marks of origin for medicinal herbs (68.9%), disclosure of the prescriptions (67.2%), and the overseas expansion of Korean medical services (70.4%). However, they indicated that they are very much in favor of being granted the authority to employ and give orders to medical technicians (96.0%). 4. The respondents selected Korea as the country that maintains a proper academic system for traditional medicine (45.5%), and are not in favor of opening Korea's traditional medicine market under an Free Trade Agreement(FTA) with China (72.7%). Conclusion The overall status of the management of TKM clinics has declined compared with the preceding decade. There has been only a slight change in clinicians' opinion of the related policies and regulatory issues.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.389-400
• /
• 2014

Objectives: Though there are many studies about sleep disorder, no research has been performed on the utilization of oriental medicine as a treatment. Therefore, the oriental medical treatment pattern of Korean patients with sleep disorders was examined herein using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS). Methods: The medical records of patients with sleep disorders (G47) or nonorganic sleep disorders (F51) as a main diagnosis were adopted from the HIRAS database from 2011 to 2013. Analysis was performed on the number of patients and cost per patient, with comparison between oriental and western medicine in terms of gender, age, patient care service type, and hospital type. Results: 1) Regarding sleep disorders, the medical visits and insurance charges have been increasing. Western medicine was utilized 8 times more often than oriental medicine during 3 years. 2) There were 2.5 times more women than men. 3) Among all ages, the 50~59 year group had the highest representation. 4) In comparison of average portions of patient care type over 3 years, outpatients were the majority, while the number of visits of outpatients and hospitalization has been increasing. 5) Comparison of average portion of oriental hospital type over 3 years revealed oriental clinics to be used most. The use of general hospitals was higher in western medicine treatment, while public health centers used oriental medicine more. 6) Regarding average oriental medical cost per patient over 3 years, the total was 88,000 won, with 353,000 won for hospitalization and 85,000 won for outpatients. The outpatient cost has been increasing. 7) In line with 6, oriental medical hospitals cost 126,000 won, local clinics were 85,000 won, and etc. was 95,000 won. Average costs of all types have increased during 3 years, except oriental medical hospitals in 2013. Conclusions: This study provided objective information about the epidemiologic characteristic of oriental medicine used for treatment of sleep disorder. For expansion of oriental medical demand for sleep disorder, this study would be helpful in understanding the recent status.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.143-150
• /
• 2010

Objectives: This research aims to know the current status and prospect of traditional medical market to provide sources in setting a development strategy and making a policy on the traditional medicine Methods: This research categorized 11,611 clinics registered in telephone directory as of 2008 by region and some clinics were extracted with simple random method. The inquiry was made with questionnaires and analyzed on the base of frequency. Results: 1. The number of the employee in a clinic were slightly decreased from 2.9 in 2005 and 2006 to 2.8 in 2007. That of the patients also showed a downward tendency from 11,811 in 2005 through 11,716 in 2006 to 11,344 in 2007. 2. An annual turnover in a clinic amounted to 257 million won in 2007 from 232 million won in 2005 through 245 million won in 2006. 3. Approximately 92% of the responses made a negative diagnosis on the traditional medical market and 21% of responses indicated the overall economic recession as a primary reason in their opinions. 4. About 29% of responses presented the extension of medical insurance on traditional medicine as a prior policy. Conclusions: Based on the survey, the prospect of traditional medical market is positive, but the effort of the people in traditional medical system and the systematic support from government are required to activate the stagnated traditional medical market.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
• /
• v.23 no.5
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2006

Objectives : Low back pain is common symptom in clinics. The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of spiral taping on the low back pain patients. Methods : A total of 60 patients with low back pain were assigned to two groups : taping group and non taping group. Patients were evaluated and analyzed VAS, ODI(Oswestry Disability Index), lumbar flexion angle and lumbar extension angle. Results and Conclusion : 1. VAS score of pain was significantly decreased in the taping group(p<.05), compared with the non taping group. 2. Lumbar flexion angle was significantly increased in the taping group(p<.05).

• Herbal Formula Science
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.43-56
• /
• 2010

Objective : There is a growing need to expand or adjust insurance coverage of herbal prescriptions in National Health Insurance. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data for expansions or adjustments of 56 herbal prescriptions in the National Health Insurance. Method : We surveyed lists of 56 insurance-covered herbal prescriptions, non-covered company-produced herbal medicines and self-prepared herbal medicines in 531 traditional korean medical clinics by mail from 6/1/2008 to 12/9/2008. Result : Among the 56 Prescriptions, Ojeok-san was stocked in 66.7% of clinics (1st), Samso-eum ranked 2nd, Socheongnyong-tang ranked 3rd, Gumiganghwal-tang was 4th, Hyangsapyeongwi-san ranked 5th. Among the non-covered company-produced herbal medicines, Danggwisu-san ranked 1st, Gwakyangjeonggi-san ranked 2nd, Oryeong-san was 3rd, Bangpungtongseong-san was 4th, Maengmundong-tang ranked 5th. Among the self-prepared herbal medicines, Gongjin-dan ranked 1st, Soche-hwan was 2nd, Gyejibongnyeong-hwan was 3rd, Yeongsin-hwan was 4th, Palmi-hwan ranked 5th. Conclusions : It is reasonable to select frequently used company-produced or self-prepared herbal prescriptions in this stock rate survey for improvement of National Health Insurance coverage.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
• /
• v.35 no.3
• /
• pp.309-316
• /
• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the status of Kampo medicine services in Japan. Methods: We surveyed the literature or reports regarding health insurance, clinics for Kampo medicine, human resources and medical fees for Kampo medicine services. Results: The Japanese government abolished the system of the Oriental doctor in 1874, but Kampo medicine has been maintained and developed continuously. The national health insurance covers Kampo medicine services including acupuncture and moxibustion, and 674 products of 149 herbal drugs are now involved in items for health insurance. A total of 78 university medical schools or hospitals have Kampo clinics. As of 2012, 1,775 Kampo specialists, 100,881 acupuncturists and 99,118 moxibustion therapists provide Kampo medical services. Conclusions: Japan has a unique system of Kampo medicine which is much different from Korean medicine or traditional Chinese medicine. This study provides basic information about Kampo medicine, and can be useful to establish a globalization-strategy for Korean medicine for Japan.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.2
• /
• pp.121-133
• /
• 2010

Objects : To establish directions to evidence-based medical interventions and diagnosis technology in oriental medicine, we did survey research among oriental medical doctors. Methods : Systematically-organized questionnaires were provided for survey. 105 Oriental medical doctors nationwide participated in the survey. We investigated diseases of their patients, differential diagnosis methods, frequently used medical interventions, needs for diagnosis devices, evidence-based clinical manuals, etc. Results : In oriental medical clinics, the most frequent patient class was patients with musculo-skeletal diseases. Oriental medical doctors assumed that the preparation of care solution for chronic life-style diseases was the most urgent. Dong-Eui-Bo-gam(東醫寶鑑) was the most frequently used reference for their herbal medication prescription. Fixed document for diagnosis and treatment were thought to be the most important in the developing evidence-based clinical manuals. Conclusions : Validity and reliability should be considered as very important in developing oriental diagnosis devices. Evidence-based clinical manuals are needed to build standardized document for diagnosis and treatment and to verify efficacy and safety of oriental medical diagnosis and treatment.