A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license

Background: Traditional medicine (TM) is widely used in South Korea and Taiwan, and both societies have similar systems for the management of TM. This study aimed to compare the TM systems in South Korea and Taiwan. Methods: We searched for studies on the TM systems and collected statistical data fr...

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Main Authors: Dongsu Kim, Chun-Chuan Shih, Hung-Chiang Cheng, Soo-Hyun Kwon, Hyunmin Kim, Byungmook Lim
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2021-09-01
Series:Integrative Medicine Research
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422020303218
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author Dongsu Kim
Chun-Chuan Shih
Hung-Chiang Cheng
Soo-Hyun Kwon
Hyunmin Kim
Byungmook Lim
author_facet Dongsu Kim
Chun-Chuan Shih
Hung-Chiang Cheng
Soo-Hyun Kwon
Hyunmin Kim
Byungmook Lim
author_sort Dongsu Kim
collection DOAJ
description Background: Traditional medicine (TM) is widely used in South Korea and Taiwan, and both societies have similar systems for the management of TM. This study aimed to compare the TM systems in South Korea and Taiwan. Methods: We searched for studies on the TM systems and collected statistical data from the websites of relevant government agencies in both countries. Interviews were conducted with experts on TM and officials from government agencies. The two TM systems were described and examined in terms of policies, resources, utilization, licensing, and educational systems. Results: Both South Korea and Taiwan have a dual system that separates the administration, licensing and educational systems between TM and Western Medicine (WM), and the TM systems are well established and highly standardized. Comparing with South Korea, however, Taiwan has a more flexible dual medical system in which education courses for producing dual licensure are provided. Additionally, in the system in Taiwan, dual license holders can use both TM and WM methods without limitations and WM doctors can apply acupuncture under some circumstances. Because of the strict dual medical system in South Korea, TM and WM conflict with each other on most health issues. Conclusion: Both South Korea and Taiwan have the advantages of preserving TM, as TM and WM are systemically independent and together provide a more holistic approach. The institutionalization of TM in South Korea and Taiwan may be a good reference for countries considering modernization of their TM.
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spelling doaj-art-aedf085bd7194c4f831b25ddec029fca2025-08-20T02:15:41ZengElsevierIntegrative Medicine Research2213-42202021-09-0110310068510.1016/j.imr.2020.100685A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and licenseDongsu Kim0Chun-Chuan Shih1Hung-Chiang Cheng2Soo-Hyun Kwon3Hyunmin Kim4Byungmook Lim5College of Oriental Medicine, Dongshin University, Naju, South KoreaSchool of Chinese Medicine for Post-Baccalaureate, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung, TaiwanInternational Affairs, The National Union of Chinese Medicine Doctor’s Association, Taipei, TaiwanGuideline Center for Korean Medicine, National Institute for Korean Medicine Development, Seoul, South KoreaDivision of Humanities and Social Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, South KoreaDivision of Humanities and Social Medicine, School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, South Korea; Corresponding author at: School of Korean Medicine, Pusan National University, Yangsan Gyeongnam 626-770, South Korea.Background: Traditional medicine (TM) is widely used in South Korea and Taiwan, and both societies have similar systems for the management of TM. This study aimed to compare the TM systems in South Korea and Taiwan. Methods: We searched for studies on the TM systems and collected statistical data from the websites of relevant government agencies in both countries. Interviews were conducted with experts on TM and officials from government agencies. The two TM systems were described and examined in terms of policies, resources, utilization, licensing, and educational systems. Results: Both South Korea and Taiwan have a dual system that separates the administration, licensing and educational systems between TM and Western Medicine (WM), and the TM systems are well established and highly standardized. Comparing with South Korea, however, Taiwan has a more flexible dual medical system in which education courses for producing dual licensure are provided. Additionally, in the system in Taiwan, dual license holders can use both TM and WM methods without limitations and WM doctors can apply acupuncture under some circumstances. Because of the strict dual medical system in South Korea, TM and WM conflict with each other on most health issues. Conclusion: Both South Korea and Taiwan have the advantages of preserving TM, as TM and WM are systemically independent and together provide a more holistic approach. The institutionalization of TM in South Korea and Taiwan may be a good reference for countries considering modernization of their TM.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422020303218KoreaTaiwanDual medical systemMedical educationMedical license
spellingShingle Dongsu Kim
Chun-Chuan Shih
Hung-Chiang Cheng
Soo-Hyun Kwon
Hyunmin Kim
Byungmook Lim
A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license
Integrative Medicine Research
Korea
Taiwan
Dual medical system
Medical education
Medical license
title A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license
title_full A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license
title_fullStr A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license
title_full_unstemmed A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license
title_short A comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of South Korea and Taiwan: Focus on administration, education and license
title_sort comparative study of the traditional medicine systems of south korea and taiwan focus on administration education and license
topic Korea
Taiwan
Dual medical system
Medical education
Medical license
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2213422020303218
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