Abstract
Objectives : This study was carried out to measure perceptions about Traditional Korean Medicine hospitals and provide data for improvement of TKM hospital management. Methods : We surveyed the general population from 1st to 17th December, 2008, and patients visiting a TKM hospital from 1st June to 9th December, 2008. Results : Result as follows. 1. The response ratio for the generally preferred medical institution was in the order of western medical clinic, pharmacy, general hospital, TKM clinic, TKM hospital. 2. The response ratio for the preferred medical institution for herbal medicine treatment was in the order of TKM clinic, herbal medicine store, TKM hospital, pharmacy. The preferred medical institution for acupuncture treatment was in the order of TKM clinic, TKM hospital, acupuncture clinic, public health center. 3. The most common response to reason for receiving traditional Korean medical care was "traditional Korean medical care is more effective than western medical care." 4. The proportion of first treatment and second treatment of patients visiting at TKM hospital was about 1:1. 5. 72.3% of patients had been to another medical institution. 6. The response ratio for the first visited medical institution for the same disease was in the order of general hospital, western medical hospital, western medical clinic, TKM clinic. 7. The response ratio for the concern about TKM treatment was in the order of expensive charge for TKM treatment, uncertainty of TKM treatment effect. Conclusions : Through this research, we can understand the perception about TKM hospital treatment of the general population and patients visiting TKM hospitals.
