Title:
Traditional Korean Medicine Home Care for the Older Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic in South Korea
Authors:
Soo-Hyun Sung1, You-Sang Baik1,2, Ji-Eun Han1, Eun-Jin Lee1, Jihye Kim3, Minjung Park4, Ji-Yeon Lee4, Jang-Kyung Park5, Jung-Youn Park6 & Eunkyung Lee7
1 Department of Policy Development, National Development Institute of Korean Medicine, Seoul 04554, Korea
2 Department of Korean Medicine Classics, College of Korean Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02453, Korea
3 Research Institute of Korean Medicine Policy, The Association of Korean Medicine, Seoul 07525, Korea
4 National Agency for Development of Innovative Technologies in Korean Medicine, Seoul 07525, Korea
5 Department of Korean Medicine Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pusan National University, Yangsan 50612, Korea
6 Department of Health and Welfare, Yuhan University, Bucheon 14780, Korea
7 Department of Preventive Medicine, Kyung Hee University, Seoul 02453, Korea
Published:
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19(1), 2022
Abstract:
Objectives: The aim of this study was to examine the status of community care services regarding traditional Korean medicine (TKM) for older adults and raise awareness on current opinions and services of TKM institutions. Methods: The National Development Institute of Korean Medicine conducted a survey of 16 local governments by sending official letters through an electronic document system from October 2020 to November 2020. The survey items included basic demographic information and information about TKM service. Results: Eleven (68.8%) of the 16 local governments provided TKM home care services. A total of 136 TKM clinics provided home care services for 598 older adults with musculoskeletal disorders. The number of TKM services provided in five or more local governments were cupping 11 (100.0%), acupuncture 11 (100.0%), education and consulting 10 (90.9%), and moxibustion 9 (81.8%). Moreover, pain (recorded on visual analogue scale) and quality of life significantly improved following TKM services (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Covered under medical policy, TKM homecare services could function as a viable alternative for continued medical care disrupted during the coronavirus disease 19 pandemic. In addition, standardisation and legalisation of these services could ensure and improve their efficiency.