Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health

The Korean Society for Preventive Medicine (대한예방의학회)
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Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Korea : Prevalence, Pattern of Use, and Out-of-pocket Expenditures

우리 나라 국민의 보완요법 이용률, 이용양상과 비용지출

  • Khang, Young-Ho (Department of Preventive Medicine College of Medicine, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Lee, Moo-Song (Department of Preventive Medicine College of Medicine, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Koo, Hee-Jo (Department of Preventive Medicine College of Medicine, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Kang, Wee-Chang (Consulting Unit for Biostatistics and Research Planning, Asan Medical Center) ;
  • Hong, Chang-Gi (Department of Internal Medicine College of Medicine, University of Ulsan) ;
  • Lee, Sang-Il (Department of Preventive Medicine College of Medicine, University of Ulsan)
  • 강영호 (울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 이무송 (울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 구희조 (울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실) ;
  • 강위창 (아산재단 서울중앙병원 의학통계 및 연구계획자문실) ;
  • 홍창기 (아산재단 서울중앙병원 내과학교실) ;
  • 이상일 (울산대학교 의과대학 예방의학교실)
  • Published : 1999.12.01
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Abstract

Objectives : To determine the prevalence, pattern. and out-of-pocket expenditure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization in Korean adult population. Methods : We conducted a representative telephone survey of 2,042 persons aged 18 or older. Data about any health problem, details of their use of medical doctors(MDs) offices/hospitals/pharmacies services and CAM during the preceding 12 months were collected with structured questionnaire. Results : The utilization rate of CAM among Korean adults was 29% in one year. A total of 231 kinds of CAM was identified from this survey. Annual out-of-pocket expenditure associated with CAM use in 1998 amounted to ${\xi}{\S}1.88$ billion and was comparable to 40.8% of out-of-pocket expenditure paid for MDs offices/hospitals/pharmacies services. Among those(N=424) who paid for both MDs offices/hospitals/pharmacies services an d CAM, 35.8% paid more for CAM. CAM gave more satisfaction than western medicine to those who had experience of both types of therapy. About half of CAM users were willing to recommend CAM to others. Disclosure rate to physician among CAM users was not high(40.6%). Conclusion : CAM became a popular source of health care in Korea, Korean spent a substantial amount of out-of-pocket money on CAM without any public control. Because CAM use is likely to be increased rapidly through lay referral system, health policy makers and health professionals should pay more attention to CAM for making appropriate utilization of CAM.

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