Factors affecting utilisation of traditional Korean medical services by privately insured persons: a retrospective study using Korean Health Panel Survey (KHPS)

Abstract

ObjectiveThis study aimed to use the Korean Health Panel Survey (KHPS) data to identify the key factors that influence decisions regarding the use of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) by privately insured persons.DesignA retrospective study on episodic KHPS data from 2009 to 2013.SettingNationwide-based survey using the KHPS data.ParticipantsThe study included outpatients aged ≥20 years who had used private medical insurance at least once during the 5 years of the survey. After excluding cases where TKM was not used and those with missing values, this study ultimately included 1874 patients.Primary and secondary outcome measuresThe main dependent variable was TKM utilisation (number of outpatient visits and outpatient costs of TKM). We used multiple linear regression analysis to identify determinants of TKM while controlling for clustered errors.ResultsApproximately 6.1% (1874) of all doctor visits (30 982) were characterised as TKM services. For therapeutic purposes, TKM visits increased despite not being guaranteed in private health insurance (coefficient=3.0, p=0.045) and TKM outpatient costs decreased (coefficient=−0.3, p=0.001). Women used more therapeutic TKM services than men (coefficient=2.8, p<0.001). Older patient groups used more therapeutic TKM services than younger patient groups (coefficient=11.5, p=0.012), but paid less on outpatient costs than younger groups (coefficient=−1.0, p=0.001). For preventive services, sex and age were not statistically significant factors. Regardless of the purpose of the visit, the more chronic diseases, the more people who have previously experienced TKM service use more TKM services (p<0.001).ConclusionsDespite a policy to reduce services that are not guaranteed by private health insurance, the increase in the number of outpatient visits for uncovered therapeutic TKM services implies a high public need for TKM in Korea.

Factors Affecting Korean Medicine Health Care Use for Functional Dyspepsia: Analysis of the Korea Health Panel Survey 2017

“…Interestingly, the total number of KMHC users was highest in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon. This is similar to the results of a previous study that showed a high proportion of patients using KMHC were living in Gyeongsang-do when compared with other regions; however, there was no significant difference in the number of patients using KMHC between regions [ 30 ]. Our findings may be due to the differences in the geographical locations of these areas.…”

“…Therefore, the proportion of KM covered by health insurance benefits is relatively low. This indicates that the role of private health insurance is considered relatively important in KM institutions [ 30 ]. In addition, a survey of the general public on the use of KM has reported that the expansion of insurance benefit coverage was the highest priority for improvement in the KM field in the future [ 34 ].…”

Factors affecting the use of herbal medicines for weight loss in overweight and obese adolescents

“…The determinants of HM use were young age, poor health status, and a family with a high social class ( 24 ). Another study identified the factors that affected Korean medicine health care use by privately insured people and found that patients with more chronic diseases used Korean medicine services more ( 25 ). A study analyzing the factors that affected Korean medicine healthcare use for treating functional dyspepsia found that participants with private health insurance and who were frequently or constantly stressed used the Korean medicine healthcare system more ( 26 ).…”

Analysis of medical services provided to patients with ankle sprains in Korea between 2015 and 2017: a cross-sectional study of the health insurance review and assessment service national patient sample database

“…10 There is pressure from the public for patients to use Korean traditional medicine, because Korea’s health insurance coverage rate was set up based on Korean traditional medicine clinics, which have lower costs than WM clinics have. 11 …”

“…10 There is pressure from the public for patients to use Korean traditional medicine, because Korea's health insurance coverage rate was set up based on Korean traditional medicine clinics, which have lower costs than WM clinics have. 11 Previous studies have recommended treating ankle sprains with early guide-accompanied movement, weight loading and taping or support, as needed. [12][13][14][15] However, ankle sprains are often considered likely to develop into chronic diseases if they are not treated in time.…”