This study aimed to investigate the opinions of Korean medical doctors on how to elucidate possible remedial measures for expanding the health insurance benefits coverage item of Korean medicine (KM).
Methods
An online survey was conducted to all members who had registered e-mail address in the association of Korean medicine from 1 to 17 November, 2016. Statistical analysis was performed and odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were calculated by each subgroup.
Results
A total of 743 members answered the questions and the response rate was 4.1%. The priorities for expanding health insurance benefits were as follows: thermographic imaging, Sasang constitution typing test, and pulse wave among examinations; pharamacopuncture, embedding acupuncture, and acupotomy among procedures; Chuna manual therapy, manual therapy for meridian muscle, and Daoyin exercise therapy among manual therapies; low-frequency electrical therapy, traction, paraffin bath, and light therapy among physical therapies; and aromatherapy, enema therapy, and color therapy among activities of KM.
Conclusions
It should be covered by the national health insurance (NHI) of KM that thermographic imaging, pharmacoacupuncture, Chuna manual therapy, low-frequency electrical therapy, aromatherapy as a top priority. We also suggest that basic medical tests, such as blood, urine, or imaging, should be included in the coverage of the NHI of KM. It is necessary to review the expertise and public opinions about the plans and priorities for the conversion of the desired medical services to be covered by the NHI.
Responses on extending health insurance benefits coverage items of Korean medical examinations.
Fig. 2
Responses on extending health insurance benefits coverage items of Korean medical procedures
Fig. 3
Responses on extending health insurance benefits coverage items of Korean medical manual therapies
Fig. 4
Responses on extending health insurance benefits coverage items of Korean medical physical therapies
Fig. 5
Responses on extending health insurance benefits coverage items of Korean medical activities
Table 1
Characteristics of the Respondents
number (%) n=743
Sex
male
female
TR
NR
609(82.0)
134(18.0)
743
0
AG
20’s
30’s
40’s
50’s
60’s& over
TR
NR
83(11.2)
257(34.6)
261(35.1)
119(16)
23(3.1)
743
0
CE (yrs)
<2
2–4
5–9
10–19
≥20
TR
NR
70(9.5)
137(18.5)
134(18.1)
256(34.6)
256(34.6)
740
3
Affiliation
KMC
KMH
PMIor MH
NH
Univ
Res
Etc.
TR
NR
523(70.4)
82(11)
52(7)
30(4)
35(4.7)
9(1.2)
12(1.6)
743
0
Specialty
GP
SP
TR
NR
560(75.4)
183(24.6)
743
0
IM
SC
Acu RM
OG
PED
NP
E&D
TR
NR
74(40.4)
10(5.5)
31(16.9)25(13.7)
23(12.6)
5(2.7)
10(5.5)
5(2.7)
183
0
TR: total number of respondents, NR: number of no response, AG: age group, CE: clinical experience, yrs: years, KMC: Korea medicine clinic, KMH: Korean medicine hospital, PMI: public medical institution, MH: military hospital, NH: nursing hospital, Univ: university, Res: Research institute, GP: general physician, SP: specialist, IM: internal medicine, SC: Sasang constitutional medicine, Acu: acupuncture & moxibustion medicine, RM: rehabilitation medicine, OG: obstetrics & gynecology, PED: pediatrics, NP: neuropsychiatry, E&D: eye, ear, nose, throat department and dermatology
Table 2
Differences in Response Patterns by Subgroups on Extending Health Insurance Benefits Coverage Items of Korean Medical Examinations.
OR: odds ratio, KMC: Korea medicine clinic, SP: specialist, CE: clinical experience, yrs: years
* statistically significant
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