Introduction to the History and Current Status of Evidence‐Based Korean Medicine: A Unique Integrated System of Allopathic and Holistic Medicine

Abstract

Objectives. Korean medicine, an integrated allopathic and traditional medicine, has developed unique characteristics and has been active in contributing to evidence-based medicine. Recent developments in Korean medicine have not been as well disseminated as traditional Chinese medicine. This introduction to recent developments in Korean medicine will draw attention to, and facilitate, the advancement of evidence-based complementary alternative medicine (CAM). Methods and Results. The history of and recent developments in Korean medicine as evidence-based medicine are explored through discussions on the development of a national standard classification of diseases and study reports, ranging from basic research to newly developed clinical therapies. A national standard classification of diseases has been developed and revised serially into an integrated classification of Western allopathic and traditional holistic medicine disease entities. Standard disease classifications offer a starting point for the reliable gathering of evidence and provide a representative example of the unique status of evidence-based Korean medicine as an integration of Western allopathic medicine and traditional holistic medicine. Conclusions. Recent developments in evidence-based Korean medicine show a unique development in evidence-based medicine, adopting both Western allopathic and holistic traditional medicine. It is expected that Korean medicine will continue to be an important contributor to evidence-based medicine, encompassing conventional and complementary approaches.

Integration between orthodox medicine, homeopathy and acupuncture for inpatients: Three years experience in the first hospital for Integrated Medicine in Italy

“…Therefore, the proposals and realisations of the IHC model are different depending on where they occur. 28 The number of complementary medicines and disciplines that can be integrated into the therapeutic path is as high as the sector of application is wide, from preventive medicine, to the encouragement of healthy living practices and to the management of acute and chronic illnesses, oncology and palliative care. 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 , 34 The integration of CAM therapies started in the late 90s when the first articles appeared in scientific literature.…”

Korean medicine students' entrance factors and satisfaction with their college experience: a quantitative nationwide study

“…Korean medicine (KM), also known as traditional Korean medicine, is distinct from conventional Western medicine but has equal legal rights in South Korea's healthcare system. Korean medicine is based on traditional Chinese medicine but encompasses unique practices such as four-constitution medicine and saam acupuncture [9]. Korean medicine considers human beings as holistic entities and employs both a modern medical diagnosis system and a unique pattern diagnosis theory [10].…”

“…This code is based on International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision(ICD-10) and includes the original disease codes of KM. These original codes for Korean medicine contributed to traditional medicine conditions-Module 1, included in ICD-11 [9].…”

Translation of Korean Medicine Use to ICD‐Codes Using National Health Insurance Service‐National Sample Cohort

“…While this chapter includes codes such as U04 for severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), most of the codes in this chapter were developed to incorporate patterns or disorders diagnosed through Korean medicine (U20–U99). In Korea, doctors of Korean medicine are advised to use KCD 6, which is based on Western medicine, as their primary code system; however, when the doctor cannot correlate the diagnosis specifically to KCD 6, the doctors are to supplement the diagnosis with a U code [ 5 ]. While KCDOM2 (1994), which was based on Korean medicine, was used by doctors of Korean medicine instead of KCD 5, the overlap and mismatch of some diseases between KCD and KCDOM caused serious confusion.…”

“…The incorporation of KCDOM3 into KCD 6 was also conducted to meet the needs of doctors of Korean medicine to more effectively reflect the patient's condition. As a result, one of the major characteristics of KCDOM3 is its relationship with KCD 6 [ 5 ].…”