• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to provide data to guide dementia health-care policy in Korea and to establish the position of Korean medical specialists in long-term care hospitals by analyzing the data of dementia inpatients. We analyzed the actual condition of dementia patients in care hospital and the effect of Western-Korean cooperative medicine on the progress of dementia. Methods : From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, inpatients who were diagnosed with dementia at Mungyeong municipal long-term care hospital and admitted for more than 3 months were enrolled. Their medical records and simple tests were analyzed retrospectively. Results : We examined the detailed diagnosis, including both main and sub diagnosis, and Alzheimer disease dementia, at 97%, was the most common. At the time of admission, Korean Version of the Mini-Mental State Exam (K-MMSE) analysis showed that severe dementia affected 52%, and most were rated as Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) 6. Based on the admission date, the results of a simplified test applied to the dementia patients every 6 months showed an maintain in the K-MMSE and GDS scores in 83%. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the rate of progression of dementia is somewhat lower in inpatients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's who have received Western-Korean cooperative treatment. However, due to institutional limitations, long-term inpatients such as those with dementia do not receive active traditional Korean medical treatment; hence, it is necessary to improve the national institution of traditional Korean medicine in long-term care hospitals.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.90-110
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• 2011

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the parental recognition and utilizing patterns of oriental medical care in children who live in Seong-Dong district. Methods 802 day-care center children's parents participated in the survey on recognition and utilizing patterns of oriental medical care, and 702 of the surveys were analyzed. Results: 1. 38.33% has received previous oriental medical treatments and most were received at the children's age under 12-24 months. Majority of the treatments took place in the clinical settings. By recommendation, some also received their treatment at the medical centers. One of the reasons why they receive oriental medical treatments was that they prefer to balance their treatment with the orental medical treatments along with the western's. 2. 53.85% of those who received oriental medical treatments were satisfied with their treatments. The effective treatment results were the major reason for the satisfaction. 3. 49.56% of those who had oriental medical treatments chose specific oriental medical facilities for the children's ailment. Most specific oriental medical facilities were local oriental medical clinics. Reputation fame were the main reason in choosing the clinics. 4. In 2009, 55.26% had received care in the specific oriental medical clinics for the diseases, such as respiratory symptoms, systemic symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, skin problems, neurological and psychiatric disease for infants, and respiratory symptoms, gastrointestinal symptoms, systemic symptoms, skin problems, neurological and psychiatric symptoms, urinary symptoms and musculoskeletal symptoms for toddlers. 5. The average duration of herbal treatment were 7-14 days, preferably 4-6 days, and preferred number of medical visits were once a week on Saturdays and preferred day for night cares were on Friday nights. Average treatment fee per treatment was less than 10,000 won which coincided with the preferred treatment fee per visit. 6. The very first medical institutions chosen by parents once their children are ill are the following; Western medical institutions, western medical clinics, pharmacies, oriental medical clinics, health centers, and lastly, oriental medical institutions. The major concerns in receiving oriental medical cares include pesticides in herbs and hazardous substances in heavy metals. Preferred form of oriental medicine was decoction, the negative feedback of oriental medicine was mostly due to the bitter taste of the oriental herbal decoctions. Preferred frequency of intake was twice a day with less than 10cc~20cc per single intake. Conclusions: Taken all together, we conclude that the growing recognition of Oriental Pediatric medicine is needed among parents.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2020

This study investigated the feasibility of establishing a college of medicine in the western region of Chungnam to fill the gap in the medical doctor in charge of essential medical care in the region. Currently, the level of medical services in Chungnam is low compared to provinces across the country and in particular, 7 cities and towns, which account for 760,000 people, one-third of Chungnam's population, are located in the western regions of Chungnam. Because of this, in the event of an emergency patients, it is necessary to travel to Cheonan, Daejeon, Seoul, etc. where the regional emergency medical center is located for more than 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the case of critically ill and emergency patients transfer, it is a situation that misses the golden time and causes valuable loss of life. In order to improve the medical environment in the western region of Chungnam and improve the lives of residents in vulnerable areas of medical services, it is believed that establishing a college of medicine in the western region of Chungnam is essential.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.47-55
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• 2014

Background: Korea is considered to have an integrative health system where both western medicine and Korean (traditional) medicine are officially recognized and provided. Although Korean medicine has been covered by National Health Insurance over 20 years, equity in the utilization of Korean medical care has rarely been examined. Methods: We examined medical care utilization and expenditure of outpatient Korean medicine using panel fixed effects model to remove selection bias. Then we compared it with pooled ordinary least square (OLS) model. This study used Korea Health Panel data, which provides accurate information on out-of-pocket health care payment, including non-covered medical services. Results: Principal findings indicate that the frequency of the utilization of Korean medicine is related with unobservable individual choices different from western medicine, so the panel fixed effect model is appropriate. But pooled OLS model is better fitted for the expenditure of Korean medicine, after controlling for western medical care expenditure. After adjusting for the selection bias, socioeconomic status (income, education) was significantly associated with the expenditure of Korean medicine, but not with the frequency of the utilization of Korean medicine. Conclusion: This study shows that expenditure of Korean medicine utilization is inequitable across socioeconomic groups, which implies that health insurance coverage of Korean medicine is not sufficient.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.123-158
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• 2011

The Korea health care system has been divided into Western and Oriental (Korea traditional) medicine since 1951. In accordance with dualistic medical system, there are many conflict cases between medical doctors and oriental medical doctors. Meanwhile, there were much discussions about the meaning and criteria of medical malpractice(negligence). Especially, many cases have been built up about the criteria of medical malpractice through lawsuits. But, comparatively, there's few the medical malpractice case of the oriental medical doctors. According to a recent ruling of the Supreme Court, the legal principles of medical doctor's malpractice case are equally applied to the criteria of the oriental medical doctor's malpractice case. But there are much considerations in addition to these principles for the dualistic medical system and academic distinctiveness. This study is intended to review the dualistic medical system, the criterion of medical malpractice, and analysis this issues. To make long story short, under our dualistic medical system, judging the medical and oriental malpractice should be considered relatively. However, it makes sense that we want medical doctor or oriental medical doctor to demand the reinforced negligence to restrict the unnecessary discretion. If there is lack of evidence-based medicine or the rationality suspected, the health care providers must give enough proof.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this research was to provide basic data for developing the collaborating care of Korean traditional medicine and western medicines by analyzing the perceptions of residents visiting local health centers on the collaborating care. Method : To this end, a self-administrated questionnaire was surveyed to 417 participants from March 10 to March 19, 2005. The questionnaires were regarding medical preferences, effectiveness, co-operative treatment types, and the demographic characteristics of the study population. The main statistical methods employed for analysis were frequency chi-square test analysis, using SPSS system 12.0 software for Windows. Result : First, the perceptions of collaborating care, such as preference and effectiveness, were better for residents who had experienced Korean traditional medicine(p < 0.05). Second, the most favorable collaborating care type was the neuromuscular disease and rehabilitation, and in particular, the preference of the patient who had experienced Korean traditional medicine was much higher than those who had not experienced it(p < 0.05). Third, as for recognizing the future of collaborating care, respondents insisted that collaboration care has to be conducted under evidence-based research. The reasons why collaborating care has not been active were reported as "difference in solving disease problems between oriental medicine and western medicine." The most important role of the Korean traditional medicines in the public sector was to provide specialized service for the elderly and low income households. Conclusion : Most respondents expected the positive effects of the collaborating care and wanted it to develop, particularly for neuromuscular diseases. As for the health promotion program in health centers, it was more popular than the home visiting program for the elderly and preventive rehabilitation for stroke. Now we must plan to balance between the need of the community and the medical provider on collaborating care.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.225-234
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• 2015

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the use of Korean medicine in patients with dizziness or vertigo, since such study has not been performed previously. Methods: In the current study, we included 3 diagnoses i.e., Disorders of vestibular function (H81), Vertiginous syndromes in diseases classified elsewhere (H82), and Dizziness and giddiness (R42) from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS) database for 4 years. We analyzed the database and compared treatment with Korean vs. Western medicine. Results: 1. Korean medical visits and cost have been increasing for 4 years, except 2011. Western medical visits are 11.9 times higher than Korean medical visits. 2. The number of women who received Korean medicine was 2.6 times higher than that of men. 3. Among all ages, the 70~79 years group were the most frequent users of Korean medicine. The older age was correlated with more patients' visits. 4. The comparative number of visits by patient care type for 4 years indicated that outpatients had more visits than hospitalization. Furthermore, outpatient visits have been increasing for 4 years. 5. The comparative number of visits by hospital type for 4 years indicated that visits to the Korean medical clinic were the highest. In primary care, patients used more Korean medicine than Western medicine. In tertiary care, patients used more Western medicine than Korean medicine. 6. Korean medical cost per patient by patient care type for 4 years was a total 89,000 won, hospitalization 449,000 won and outpatient 83,000 won. Costs of all patient care types have been increasing. 7. Korean medical cost per patient by hospital type for 4 years was 156,000 won for Korean medical hospital, 83,000 won for local clinic and 127,000 won for miscellaneous facilities. Costs of all types have been increasing. Conclusions: This study provided objective information about epidemiologic characteristics of Korean medicine in patients with dizziness or vertigo. Furthermore, it provides an understanding of the recent status and forms the basis for further expansion of demand for Korean medicine among patients with dizziness or vertigo.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.9-15
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• 2014

Recently, interest in traditional medicine has increased steadily. Nations having traditional medicine system have been attempting to change it institutionally for the purpose of public application boost in use of traditional medicine. But there are not too many countries which have established the modern system of education and licensing system for traditional medicine with it maintained as a part of a national health care system. The best known examples of nations utilizing traditional medicine are the People's Republic of China, Republic of Korea, Japan, and Taiwan. These countries follow different patterns in the relationship with western medicine according to different social and historical backgrounds. Taiwan has dual medical system as Korean. In this study, we looked through history and the current state of affairs of national health care system in Taiwan, and also found out the licensing system, the educational system, and the curriculum in several universities. thoroughly. Furthermore, we looked into the direction of the policy of Taiwanese health care system which has been becoming an integrated medical system between traditional Chinese medicine and western medicine. With findings based on this study, we deduced implications of a future policy line about the integrated medical system in Korea to minimize conflicts between the concerned parties.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.34-43
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• 1999

This study reviewed about Health Management of Women's with Menstrual Disorder and the differences in opinions between the Eastern- Western Nursing Sciences. The purpose of this study was to find out a possible integration of the Eastern-Western Nursing Sciences for Health Management of Women's with Menstrual Disorder and to suggest a distinct frame of Korean Nursing Intervention Method. In the last decade, the women's movement has succeeded in changing in inappropriate and poor treatment. The health consumer movement has also achieved many gains in improving the quality of health care. Yet the medical care offered women during their life stages is still characterized by a lack of effectiveness, safety, and consideration. Today, Although there are differences between Oriental and Western Medicine in approaches to clients, the Eastern-Western Nursing Sciences in approach to clients can be hoped that contribution will be made to the development of nursing intervention which is suitable to Korean context.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.645-652
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• 2016

Objectives: To compare the effects of Eastern-Western integrative medical care (EWIM) and Western single rehabilitation therapy (WSRT) on the functional recovery of stroke patients.Methods: Seventy-six stroke patients were recruited retrospectively. The participants were divided into two groups: EWIM and WSRT. Data on age, sex, stroke-related risk factors, stroke type, neurological deficits according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), elapsed time to the initiation of rehabilitation, duration from the onset to follow up, initial functional status, and function after therapy for 3 mon were obtained from a review of the patients’ medical records. Between-group differences in functional outcomes were analyzed before and after treatment using the functional ambulation category (FAC), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA), modified Barthel Index-Korean version (K-MBI), and Euro-Quality of Life-5 Dimension (EQ-5D).Results: At 3-mon poststroke, all the functional outcome measures had improved in both groups (P<0.05). However, the improvements were greater in the EWIM group, and the improvement was statistically significant in the K-MBI (P=0.048) and EQ-5D (P=0.042).Conclusions: With respect to activities of daily living and health-related quality of life, EWIM is a more effective stroke therapy than WSRT.