Research on Ways to Attract Foreign Patients Based on Analysis of Foreign Patients Who Visited Hospital of Korean Medicine

Jun, Jae Yun; Nam, Ji Hwan; Lee, Min Jung; Kim, Kie Won; Lim, Su Jin; Lee, Chong Whan; Lee, Seul Ji

doi:10.13045/acupunct.2013027

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 2 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…Another survey among Chinese tourists visiting Korea for non-medical reasons, revealed that only 8.8% were aware of KM. This revealed that medical tourists who visit Korea for KM treatment are usually those who are already CAM users 11) . The next task for CAM and KM practitioners alike is finding solutions to CAM and KM usage hindrances and finding strategies to raise awareness among non-users as well.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Perceptions and Experiences of Acupuncture among Expatriates Living in Korea: A Qualitative Study

et al. 2020

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

In this study, we conducted a focus group interview among expatriates living in Korea, to investigate their experiences and perceptions of acupuncture and Korean Medicine in order to improve the usage of Korean Medicine in the medical tourism market. Methods : The inclusion criteria for the focus group interview was: (1) participants between the age of 20 to 75 years old; (2) those who had lived in Korea for more than 90 days, and (3) those who were able to express their thoughts freely in English. The participants were informed that the interviews will be recorded and transcribed. We ended recruitment once saturation of materials was met. Semi-structured interviews were conducted, and the data was analyzed after each interview. Results : The interviews were held between June to December 2016. Twenty-four participants were recruited but four dropped out and a total of twenty participants successfully finished the interviews. Six focus group interviews were conducted. Analysis revealed that Korean Medicine was relatively less known compared to Traditional Chinese Medicine or Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Participants automatically associated acupuncture with the management of pain or stress and replied that these were the areas that they thought acupuncture would be most effective. Positive experiences with acupuncture and with the acupuncture practitioners were factors that promoted the use of acupuncture whereas lack of awareness, accessibility and accreditation were factors that hindered its use. Other factors that hindered the use of acupuncture was needle phobia and the perception that acupuncture lacks scientific evidence. Conclusions : Awareness on Korean Medicine and acupuncture is low. Participants lack awareness on what diseases acupuncture can treat, the scientific evidence behind the mechanism of action, and the rigorous education system that Korean Medicine doctors must go through to get their license. Rigorous marketing should be encouraged, which includes greater exposure in the media, more honest reviews from patients, and promotion of the scientific evidence base.

show abstract

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%