Seung Hwan Lee

Objectives: Medical tourism industry of Korea has rapidly expanded since 2009, with growing demand for Korean medicine among foreign patients. However, systematic research on the clinical experiences of Korean medicine practitioners in this field remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the experiences and perspectives of Korean medicine practitioners who provide care to foreign patients, using a focus group interview method.Methods: Seven Korean medicine doctors with experience in treating foreign patients participated in a focus group held in July 2025. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis to identify key themes. This study was reported in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research.Results: Foreign patients mainly accessed Korean medicine through word-of-mouth, online platforms, and tourist area walk-ins. Motivations included domestic market limits and K-culture popularity. Communication was facilitated by English-speaking staff and translation tools. Challenges involved long consultations and unclear pricing. Emphasis was placed on culturally sensitive care, transparent communication, and building trust. Institutional support needs included herbal export facilitation, electronic medical record improvements, and foreign patient care education.Conclusion: The findings highlight both opportunities and obstacles in Korean medicine services for foreign patients. Enhancing communication systems, cultural competence, and institutional infrastructure is key to globalizing Korean medicine.

Objectives: This study aimed to identify the current status, satisfaction, obstacles, and improvement points of the School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine, while providing supporting data for its enhancement.Methods: A self-reporting online survey was conducted among doctors of the Seoul Korean Medicine Association who applied to participate in the 2023 School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine. The questionnaire assessed various aspects including program status, satisfaction, evaluation, advantages, obstacles, promotion plans for the 2023 program, and intention to participate in the 2024 program. The survey was conducted from March 5th to 12th, 2024.Results: A total of 60 doctors participated in the survey, with 57 respondents included in the analysis. Among them, 45 Korean medical doctors had actively engaged in the school doctor program. Main reasons for non-participation included lack of request from assigned schools or scheduling conflicts between the desired program time and the conditions of Korean medicine doctors. Participants who conducted the program reported its effectiveness in fostering positive perceptions of Korean medicine. Despite obstacles, the majority expressed willingness to participate in the 2024 program. To promote the program, there is a need for a structured system to facilitate school cooperation and promote the School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine.Conclusions: Promoting the School Doctor Program of Korean Medicine requires collaboration from schools, provision of standardized manuals and programs, and support from the Korean Medicine Association. Strengthening systems for school cooperation and program promotion is essential for its advancement.

Objectives: This study provides basic data for activating the school doctor of Korean medicine (SDKM) program by conducting a questionnaire survey for public health doctor of Korean medicine (PHDKM)Methods: The survey questionnaire was produced by referring to the previous satisfaction survey studies for the Doctor of Korean medicine applying for the SDKM program (SDKMP). The survey questionnaire was composed of 10 questions regarding the satisfaction level, difficulties in progress, and suggestions for activation. The survey was conducted online for a total of 35 PHDKM applying for SDKMP, and 32 responses were collected.Results: Of the 32 subjects, 9 (28.1%) conducted the SDKMP. The total satisfaction level of the SDKMP was 3.69 ± 1.12 points. The lack of a standardized manual and information system was the most difficult in the program’s progress (43.8%), followed by the bad cooperation of the public health centers (40.6%), and the lack of personal circumstances (40.6%). The establishment of a system to enlist cooperation with related institutions was suggested the most as a question for activating the SDKMP (71.9%), followed by the expansion of the SDKMP manual and guidance system (53.1%), and the expansion of publicity about SDKMP (37.5%).Conclusions: To activate the SDKMP in a public health environment, it is necessary to improve the system to enlist cooperation with related institutions. Also, the need to expand the standardized manual, the guidance system, and the education to PHDKM about SDKMP.