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JKM > Volume 46(2); 2025 > Article
Yu, Park, Ahn, Jin, and Kim: Perspectives on the Use of Traditional Korean Medicine in Severe Trauma Patients: a Qualitative Study

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to explore the use of Korean Medicine (KM) for severe trauma, investigating its clinical application, challenges faced by patients and practitioners, and potential improvements.

Methods

Between December 2023 and September 2024, in-depth interviews were conducted with three trauma patients and five KM practitioners. The interviews were analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis.

Results

Trauma patients reported being rarely informed about KM by their Western medicine doctors during hospitalization. Many viewed KM as an additional financial burden, while considering Western treatments essential. Patients also faced challenges such as pain management side effects, prognosis uncertainty, isolation, and quality-of-life issues, suggesting KM’s potential to address these. KM practitioners typically treated severe trauma cases after referrals, often post-acute phase. They highlighted KM’s potential in pain relief, mitigating painkiller side effects, and improving chronic patients’ quality of life. However, KM treatments were underutilized due to reluctance from Western medicine doctors, lack of patient knowledge, insurance constraints, and treatment frequency limitations. Practitioners emphasized the need for proving KM’s safety and efficacy, developing clinical guidelines, improving coordination between KM clinics and hospitals, fostering hospital interactions, and securing policy and financial support.

Conclusions

This study identified challenges in KM trauma care and proposed solutions, offering insights to improve trauma care and enhance patient quality of life. The findings provide valuable data for the KM sector and health authorities.

Fig. 1
The Improvement Measures for Promoting KM Treatment for Severe Trauma Proposed by the Interview Participants (D1~D5)
jkm-46-2-93f1.gif
Table 1
Characteristics of Participants 1: Korean Medicine Doctors (As of 2024)
Participants Gender Age Total Clinical Career (years) Severe Trauma Treatment Experience (years) Hospital Type Specialist Status
D1 Male 40’s 15+ 5–10 Acute care KM specialist
D2 Female 40’s 15+ 5–10 Acute care KM specialist
D3 Female 40’s 15+ 10–15 Rehabilitation KM specialist
D4 Male 50’s 15+ 10–15 Rehabilitation KM specialist
D5 Female 40’s 10+ 10–15 Rehabilitation KM specialist
Table 2
Characteristics of Participants 2: Severe Trauma Patients (As of 2024)
Participants Gender Age Injured Area Duration of Hospitalization Recipt of KM Treatment during Severe Trauma Prior Experience of KM Treatement
P1 Male 20’s Polytrauma Including Lung and Ribs 12 Weeks Yes Yes
P2 Male 50’s Polytrauma Including Ribs and Shoulder 6 Months No Yes
P3 Female 20’s Pelvis, Ribs, Lungs and Spleen 4 Weeks No Yes

참고문헌

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