An assessment of the use of complementary and alternative medicine by Korean people using an adapted version of the standardized international questionnaire (I-CAM-QK): a cross-sectional study of an internet survey

Abstract

BackgroundIn Korea, there are two types of medical doctors: one practises conventional medicine (hereafter called a physician), and the other practises traditional medicine (hereafter called a Korean medical doctor). This study aimed to compare the provision of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) by these providers to CAM use per self-judgement in Korea.MethodsWe analysed 1668 Korean people via an internet survey with the Korean adopted version of the I-CAM-Q, namely, the International Questionnaire to measure use of CAM, to understand whether respondents used CAM based either on a prescription or advice from a physician or a Korean medical doctor or on self-judgement.ResultsIn the previous 12 months, the proportions of respondents who were treated by a physician, who were treated by a Korean medical doctor and who were not treated by anyone were 67.9, 20.7 and 14.2%, respectively. Among the respondents who received CAM based on a prescription or advice from a physician, traditional Korean medicine practices and dietary supplements were commonly used; only a small percentage used other CAM therapies. Respondents who received CAM based on a prescription or advice from a Korean medical doctor showed similar results. Acupuncture and moxibustion, traditional Korean medicines (decoction), or cupping were more commonly used. Korean traditional medicines as over-the-counter (OTC) drugs were more commonly used by respondents who received CAM therapy based on a prescription or advice from a physician than by those who received CAM therapy based on a prescription or advice from a Korean medical doctor. A total of 74% of the responders used any CAM by self-judgement in the previous 12 months.ConclusionsFor the use of CAM in Korea, in addition to the Korean traditional medical care provided by Korean medical doctors, general physicians advised people regarding Korean traditional medical care and dietary supplements.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12906-018-2294-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The prevalence of complementary and alternative medicine use in the general population of Babol, North of Iran, 2018

“…Using this questionnaire is common in several surveys on the utilization of CAM conducted in several countries [ 13 – 15 ]. As the type and circumstances of CAM may vary widely based on differences in the cultural backgrounds of each country, an adapted version of the I-CAM-Q is usually developed before implementation [ 16 ].…”

Conventional and Complementary Therapy Use among Mexican Farmworkers in North Carolina: Applying the I-CAM-Q

“…It has been adapted for use by investigators in several countries; for example, in France, 43 Sweden, 44 Korea, 45 and Argentina. 46 The I-CAM-Q addresses the use of conventional health care providers, alternative health care providers, and traditional healers, the use of supplements (herbs, vitamins, OTC medicine, home remedies), and the use of self-care practices.…”

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in Norway: a cross-sectional survey with a modified Norwegian version of the international questionnaire to measure use of complementary and alternative medicine (I-CAM-QN)

“…From 2012 to present, the questionnaire has been translated and adapted to many different countries and languages [ 15 – 20 ]. The I-CAM-Q instrument has been applied worldwide such as in France [ 15 ], Germany [ 20 ], Iran [ 16 ], Saudi Arabia [ 21 ], US [ 22 , 23 ], Argentina [ 24 ], Japan [ 25 , 26 ], Taiwan [ 17 ], Korea [ 18 ], Cambodia [ 27 ] and Australia [ 28 ]. In 2012 Eardley et al published a paper with the aim to “generate preliminary evidence concerning the face validity, acceptability and basic characteristics of the I-CAM-Q across different populations”.…”

“…The questionnaire was presented in a publication in 2009, with instructions for translation and cultural adaptation [14]. From 2012 to present, the questionnaire has been translated and adapted to many different countries and languages [15][16][17][18][19][20]. The I-CAM-Q instrument has been applied worldwide such as in France [15], Germany [20], Iran [16], Saudi Arabia [21], US [22,23], Argentina [24], Japan [25,26], Taiwan [17], Korea [18], Cambodia [27] and Australia [28].…”