Assessing Patient Satisfaction and the Need for Collaborative Treatment with Korean and Western Medicine

BACKGROUND

The collaborative treatment of Korean medicine (KM) and Western medicine (WM) in Korea has gained prominence since its initiation. However, comprehensive evaluations of patient satisfaction and care effectiveness remain limited. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate patient satisfaction and the need for collaborative KM-WM treatment in the fourth phase of the national pilot project.

METHODS

A multicenter survey was conducted among 321 patients from 15 institutions participating in the fourth phase of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, spanning from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2023. Patient satisfaction and needs were assessed using a validated, semi-structured questionnaire with a 5-point Likert scale. Descriptive statistics and hierarchical multiple regression were used in the analysis.

RESULTS

The overall satisfaction with collaborative KM-WM treatment was notably high (91.25%). Among the participants, 91.58% indicated the necessity of the collaborative KM-WM pilot project, whereas 90.66% pointed out the need to incorporate inpatient services into collaborative care. Expansion of the pilot project to additional institutions and primary healthcare settings was substantially demanded (85.36% and 80.06%, respectively). Treatment effects (β, 0.344; 95% CI: 0.237-0.451), appropriate treatment time (β, 0.140; 95% CI: 0.051-0.229), medical procedural efficiency (β, 0.227; 95% CI: 0.126-0.328), and promotional activities (β, 0.175; 95% CI: 0.101-0.250) significantly contributed to overall patient satisfaction (each, p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

The fourth phase of the KM-WM project reflects high patient satisfaction and a substantial need for collaborative treatment. Further research should include longitudinal studies and employ mixed-methods approaches to better understand, evaluate, and improve collaborative KM-WM treatment.

Predictors of Yangsaeng (Health Management) Among Korean Middle-Aged Adults

This study aimed to examine and identify the predictors of Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults. A cross-sectional descriptive design was employed. Study participants consisted of 150 middle-aged adults in S and G cities, South Korea. Measures included the Yangsaeng scale, the perceived health state scale, the self-efficacy scale, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the family support scale. The analyses showed that the prediction model for Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults was significant. The value of the adjusted R was 0.635, which corresponded to the explanatory power of 63.5%. The predictor with the most influence on Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults was family support, followed by perceived health state, leisure activity, self-efficacy, and religion, respectively. This study provided preliminary evidence that family support is a major and primary predictor of Yangsaeng (health management) among Korean middle-aged adults. Concrete interventions and strategies to improve the Yangsaeng (health management) of Korean middle-aged adults were necessary.

Utilization Status and Satisfaction with Medical Services in Nonresidential Foreign Medical Tourists Visiting a Korean Medicine Hospital

Medical tourism refers to international patient travel with the intent of receiving medical care. Recently, South Korea, armed with a dual medical system of conventional and traditional Korean medicine, has been gaining international standing in this industry. This study examined the characteristics, medical service use, and satisfaction of foreign patients who visited a spine-specialty Korean medicine hospital as musculoskeletal disorders are the highest frequency category of medical conditions treated using Korean medicine. The electronic medical records of 1,733 foreign patients who had first visited an integrative Korean medicine hospital in 2012-2015 were analyzed, and a satisfaction survey was conducted by e-mail along with phone calls and interviews. Female patients in their 40s with low back or neck pain comprised the most prevalent patient group. The most frequently used visiting channels were agencies, followed by recommendation by friends or family. Patients received an average of 5.25 sessions, and, based on analysis of 134 survey results, the highest satisfaction rates were associated with acupuncture and pharmacopuncture of provided treatments, high physician expertise, and reliability among medical services and coordinating and translating services among nonmedical factors. Overall, 90.2% replied that they were satisfied and 76.9% that their perception of Korean medicine had improved following treatment. Nonresidential foreigners who received integrative medicine treatment expressed high satisfaction, but visiting and promotion channels were shown to be limited, which connotes both the potential of Korean medicine in propelling Korea forward in the global medical tourism industry and the need for more systematic promotion of Korean medicine medical tourism.

Identification of determinants of the utilisation of acupuncture treatment using Andersen's behavioural model

OBJECTIVES

The utilisation of healthcare services is the result of a complex decision-making process with different determinants. This study aims to identify the determinants of the utilisation of acupuncture treatment using Andersen's behavioural model and quality of life.

METHODS

In this study we reviewed Korean Health Panel data, a nationally representative set of data, and analysed the utilisation of outpatient acupuncture services during 2011. A two-part model, which included predisposing, enabling and need factors of Andersen's behavioural model in model 1 and the additional factor of health-related quality of life (HRQOL, EQ-5D Korean index) in model 2, was analysed by logistic analysis to identify determinants of acupuncture service usage among subjects who visited traditional Korean medical clinics.

RESULTS

The higher frequency of acupuncture service usage among patients who visited traditional Korean medical clinics was associated with gender, age, number of chronic diseases, physical disabilities and HRQOL of the subjects.

CONCLUSIONS

This study shows that the important determinants of the frequency of acupuncture treatment utilisation are gender, age, number of chronic diseases and the presence of physical disabilities. Our findings contribute to understanding the characteristics of patients who use acupuncture treatment and may be used as a basic resource for related policy making by government officials and medical professionals.

Use of traditional Korean medicine by patients with musculoskeletal disorders

BACKGROUND

South Korea has maintained a dual healthcare delivery system that incorporates both traditional Korean and Western medicine. In this research, we identified the determinants of the frequency of using traditional Korean medicine among musculoskeletal patients, who are known to be the most frequent users of complementary and alternative medicine.

METHODS

In this research, we reviewed 2 consecutive years of nationally representative survey data from the 2008 and 2009 Korea Health Panel Survey. We analyzed the utilization of outpatient services by musculoskeletal patients within 12 months of the 2009 survey date. A two-part model was used because some patients did not use traditional Korean medicine and skewness was present in the data on traditional Korean medicine use. In the first part, logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the use of traditional Korean medicine. In the second part, multiple regression analysis was performed to analyze the frequency of traditional Korean medicine usage among the subjects who visited traditional Korean medical institutions.

RESULTS

The frequency of traditional Korean medicine usage was positively associated with ages of 40-49 years and over 60, restrictions on daily life, a greater number of chronic diseases, not being hospitalized, and more frequent visits (more than five times) to conventional hospitals or clinics for musculoskeletal disorders.

CONCLUSIONS

The important determinants of the frequency of traditional Korean medicine usage were age, activity restrictions, the number of chronic diseases, hospitalization history, and the number of visits to conventional hospitals for musculoskeletal disorders. The results contribute to our understanding of the characteristics of traditional Korean medicine users and may be used as a basic resource for related policymaking by government officials and medical professionals.