Abstract
Objectives: This research aims to know the current status and prospect of traditional medical market to provide sources in setting a development strategy and making a policy on the traditional medicine Methods: This research categorized 11,611 clinics registered in telephone directory as of 2008 by region and some clinics were extracted with simple random method. The inquiry was made with questionnaires and analyzed on the base of frequency. Results: 1. The number of the employee in a clinic were slightly decreased from 2.9 in 2005 and 2006 to 2.8 in 2007. That of the patients also showed a downward tendency from 11,811 in 2005 through 11,716 in 2006 to 11,344 in 2007. 2. An annual turnover in a clinic amounted to 257 million won in 2007 from 232 million won in 2005 through 245 million won in 2006. 3. Approximately 92% of the responses made a negative diagnosis on the traditional medical market and 21% of responses indicated the overall economic recession as a primary reason in their opinions. 4. About 29% of responses presented the extension of medical insurance on traditional medicine as a prior policy. Conclusions: Based on the survey, the prospect of traditional medical market is positive, but the effort of the people in traditional medical system and the systematic support from government are required to activate the stagnated traditional medical market.
