Telemedicine and the Use of Korean Medicine for Patients With COVID-19 in South Korea: Observational Study

Abstract

Background COVID-19 was first reported in Wuhan, China, in December 2019, and it has since spread worldwide. The Association of Korean Medicine (AKOM) established the COVID-19 telemedicine center of Korean medicine (KM telemedicine center) in Daegu and Seoul. Objective The aim of this study was to describe the results of the KM telemedicine center and the clinical possibility of using herbal medicines for COVID-19. Methods All procedures were conducted by voice call following standardized guidelines. The students in the reception group obtained informed consent from participants and they collected basic information. Subsequently, Korean Medicine doctors assessed COVID-19–related symptoms and prescribed the appropriate herbal medicine according to the KM telemedicine guidelines. The data of patients who completed the program by June 30, 2020, were analyzed. Results From March 9 to June 30, 2020, 2324 patients participated in and completed the KM telemedicine program. Kyung-Ok-Ko (n=2285) was the most prescribed herbal medicine, and Qingfei Paidu decoction (I and II, n=2053) was the second most prescribed. All COVID-19–related symptoms (headache, chills, sputum, dry cough, sore throat, fatigue, muscle pain, rhinorrhea, nasal congestion, dyspnea, chest tightness, diarrhea, and loss of appetite) improved after treatment (P<.001). Conclusions The KM telemedicine center has provided medical service to 10.8% of all patients with COVID-19 in South Korea (as of June 30, 2020), and it is still in operation. We hope that this study will help to establish a better health care system to overcome COVID-19.

Effect of Qingfei Paidu decoction combined with Western medicine treatments for COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…A total of 9 papers were included in our study, the results showed that QFPDD combined with WMT improved clinical ER effectively ( Chen et al, 2021 ; Li et al, 2020 ; Li and Zhang, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2021a ; Zhang and Pan., 2021 ), in line with the reports from Jang et al (2021) , Ni et al(2020) , Shi et al (2020) , Sun et al (2020), Wang et al (2020) , and Zhong et al (2020) . QFPDD combined with WMT shortened duration of viral shedding ( Yu et al, 2020b ; Zeng et al, 2020 ) and length of hospital stay ( Li et al, 2020 ; Li and Zhang, 2020 ; Wang et al, 2021a ; Yu et al, 2020b ; Zeng et al, 2020 ), which is consistent with the studies published ( Sun et al,2021 ; Yu et al,2020a ).…”

“…Notably, a study from South Korea showed that QFPDD was the most prescribed herbal medicine for COVID-19 in Korea in the first days of the disease and was the second most prescribed medicine across the whole course. In addition, COVID-19 related symptoms, including fever, dry cough, sore throat, and fatigue were also improved after treatment with QFPDD ( Jang et al, 2021 ). QFPDD is suitable for mild, moderate, severe patients, and can be used reasonably in combination with other drugs for critical patients ( NHC, 2020b ).…”

Herbal Medicines for Post-Acute Sequelae (Fatigue or Cognitive Dysfunction) of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Phase 2 Pilot Clinical Study Protocol

“…[ 22 ]. In addition, Kyungok-go (CV2), to be prescribed to another fatigue group, is used to improve physical fatigue, malaise, and residual symptoms after disease in KM clinical practice, and is one of the herbal medicines most prescribed to patients in the COVID-19 KM telemedicine program [ 23 ]. An animal study also provided evidence that Kyungok-go shows a significant improvement in exercise capacity and anti-fatigue properties by reducing the lactate level, enhancing the blood glucose level, and increasing glycogen in the skeletal muscles [ 24 ].…”

Managing Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Recommendations from the Korean Medicine Mental Health Center

“…The first case of coronavirus disease (COVID- 19) in South Korea was reported on January 20, 2020 1) .…”

“…Social policies such as social distancing and quarantine have highlighted the importance of telemedicine and self-management 10) . The Association of Korean Medicine has consequently established telemedicine centers for confirmed COVID-19 cases 19,20) . The Korean Medicine Mental Health (KMMH) center developed the "2020 Mind training manual for doctors of Korean medicine at COVID-19 treatment sites" [informally published work] as a reference for doctors providing mental health support at telemedicine centers.…”