Analysis of the Status of Convalescent Hospitals Certified from January to March 2024: Focus on Korean Medicine Services

Article information

J Korean Med. 2024;45(3):131-142

Publication date (electronic) : 2024 September 1

doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.24044

Hae-chang Yoon ¹^,

, Sundong Lee ²

¹Hwanggeum convalescent hospital

²Haengpa Korean Medicine clinic

Correspondence to: Hae-chang Yoon, Hwanggeum convalescent hospital, 3F, 216, Suseong-ro, Suseong-gu, Daegu, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-53-765-1111, Fax: +82-50-4392-9435, E-mail: yoon5100@naver.com

Received 2024 July 22; Revised 2024 August 20; Accepted 2024 August 20.

Abstract

Background

The Republic of Korea has maintained a stable number of convalescent hospitals; however, the presence of Korean Medicine(KM) doctors in such establishments has increased. Despite this trend, it is hard to find the recent researches on KM within convalescent hospitals.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the current status of convalescent hospitals, particularly focused on patient characteristics and the provision of KM.

Method

Data were obtained from the Health Insurance Review&Assessment Service, relying on the Korea Institute Healthcare Accreditation, spanning from January to March 2024. Analysis was conducted through the categorization of in-patients and the provision of KM, utilizing R software.

Results

Among the 143 convalescent hospitals, the majority(83.9%) provided KM, with 43.4% of them located near Seoul. Convalescent hospitals offering KM were characterized by a higher number of doctors(p=0.003) and a greater total bed number(p<0.001). The hospitals with KM specializing in dementia care located near Seoul and exhibited a higher proportion of doctors, total beds(p=0.010), uninsured beds, grade of certification evaluation(Gr) and supported activities of daily living(ADL)(p<0.001, respectively). However, the hospitals with KM specializing in cancer care had higher rate of doctors(p=0.036), total beds, uninsured beds, Gr, and average daily out-of-pocket per person and lower levels of self ADL(p<0.001, respectively). In addition, the hospitals with specialists in KM belonging to dementia care only located near Seoul(p=0.042) and exhibited a higher rate of total beds(p=0.007).

Conclusion

These findings indicate significant differences among convalescent hospitals based on patient characteristics and the provision of KM. Consequently, such distinctions merit consideration in future studies.

Keywords: Convalescent hospital; Korean Medicine; specialist; research

Table 1

Variables of All Convalescent Hospitals according to Korean Medicine Service

Table 2

Variables of Convalescent Hospitals Major in Dementia Patients according to Korean Medicine Service

Table 3

Variables of Convalescent Hospitals Major in Cancer Patients according to Korean Medicine Service

Table 4

Variables of Convalescent Hospitals Major in Dementia Patients according to Specialists of Korean Medicine

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