On Feb. 25, medical personnel are moving at a hospital in Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

The medical community and the traditional Korean medicine community are in direct conflict over the use of medical devices. Traditional Korean medicine practitioners are insisting on using ultrasound, electroencephalograms, and even X-rays, which they consider to be in the domain of doctors. Doctors are pushing back, citing the potential for over-treatment and misdiagnosis.

In this situation, the medical community proposed a public forum with the traditional Korean medicine community. The traditional Korean medicine community countered by suggesting a discussion that includes presidential candidates from both major parties. While doctors and traditional Korean medicine practitioners are ostensibly arguing over the efficiency and safety of patient treatment, there is an analysis suggesting a deeper competition over the healthcare market.

◇"Traditional Korean medicine practitioners invading territory" vs "Inviting presidential candidates for discussion"

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) released a statement on Dec. 12 proposing a debate with the candidates from both parties as well. This was in response to the KMA's public discussion proposal that followed its criticism of traditional Korean medicine practitioners using X-rays on Dec. 8.

At that time, the KMA claimed, "The traditional Korean medicine community is invading our territory," and stated, "If you want to use (medical devices), you should obtain a doctor’s license." In response, the Korean Traditional Medicine Association noted, "There has been a severe judicial ruling that allows traditional Korean medicine practitioners to use medical devices such as ultrasound, electroencephalograms, and X-rays," arguing that "administrative procedures must be deliberated between the traditional Korean medicine community and government agencies."

The KMA also suggested questioning the scientific efficacy of traditional Korean medicine for infertility treatments. The Korean Traditional Medicine Association responded, "Infertility treatment in traditional Korean medicine has been proven effective, leading many local governments to support it." It added, "Currently, the medical community must prioritize resolving the doctor shortage and treatment gaps caused by the failure to expand medical school enrollment," and urged a discussion on pressing issues such as the collapse of local healthcare with presidential candidates from both major parties.

On Feb. 25, Yoon Seong-chan, president of the Korean Medicine Association, is holding a press conference declaring the use of X-rays by Korean medicine doctors at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul. /Courtesy of Yonhap News Agency

◇No rulings related to traditional Korean medicine practitioners using CT and MRI

The conflict between doctors and traditional Korean medicine practitioners dates back to the mid-1990s. Doctors demanded the Ministry of Health and Welfare crack down on traditional Korean medicine practitioners claiming to use ultrasound devices. In the 2000s, they raised objections to traditional Korean medicine practitioners using CT (computed tomography) and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) machines. According to medical law, medical professionals cannot perform medical acts outside their licensed scope, arguing that traditional Korean medicine practitioners have exceeded their license by using medical devices.

A path for traditional Korean medicine practitioners to use medical devices opened in December 2013. The Constitutional Court ruled that traditional Korean medicine practitioners could use devices such as intraocular pressure tonometers and hearing testers. In December 2022, the Supreme Court’s full bench ruled that traditional Korean medicine practitioners could not be punished for treating patients with ultrasound diagnostic devices, provided they use ultrasound as a "supplementary" diagnostic tool and do not pose any health hazards.

Subsequent rulings favored traditional Korean medicine practitioners. In August 2023, the Supreme Court’s first division concluded that traditional Korean medicine practitioners could diagnose Parkinson’s disease and dementia using electroencephalograms. An electroencephalogram is a device that displays signals occurring between brain neurons in waves. In January, the Suwon District Court’s Criminal Division 4 ruled in favor of a traditional Korean medicine practitioner charged with using an X-ray bone density measurement device, acquitting them on appeal. The prosecution did not appeal, finalizing the ruling.

A representative from the Ministry of Health and Welfare noted, "There are no clear standards for traditional Korean medicine practitioners' use of medical devices, so we generally follow court rulings," adding, "CT and MRI require further discussion, and X-rays are medical devices that emit radiation, necessitating a discussion of safety issues." Medical law requires that a safety management officer oversee the use of radiation medical devices, but traditional Korean medicine practitioners do not fall under this category.

Graphic = Son Min-kyun

◇Patient convenience vs. misdiagnosis concerns… "Health insurance financial issues also"

Traditional Korean medicine practitioners claim that among the more than 4,000 types of medical devices available in Korea, only those with judicial rulings permitting use can be utilized. They argue that by leveraging modern medical devices, they can diagnose patients more accurately. A spokesperson from the Korean Traditional Medicine Association stated, "Using medical devices allows for objective diagnostic data, enabling more efficient treatment of patients."

However, doctors oppose this, citing the potential for misdiagnosis. They stress that interpreting medical images such as X-rays requires specialized knowledge, noting that failing to interpret imaging results accurately could lead to incorrect treatment for patients.

There are also concerns about the financial burden of healthcare. A representative from the KMA stated, "If traditional Korean medicine practitioners use medical devices, it means that more health insurance funds are being allocated to traditional Korean medicine practitioners," suggesting that in a situation where health insurance finances are already strained, this could adversely affect the public.

The industry views the conflict between doctors and traditional Korean medicine practitioners as ultimately a battle over economic interests. With competition in the healthcare market intensifying, clashes to retain patients are considered unavoidable. Previously, some traditional Korean medicine practitioners turned their attention to traffic accident victims amidst difficult economic conditions, even creating physical therapy rooms to compete with orthopedics.

According to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service, last year, 1,996 clinics opened, while 1,028 closed. There were 699 new traditional Korean medicine clinics, and 555 closed. This indicates the fierce level of competition in the healthcare market. An industry insider commented, "A treatment gap has arisen due to conflict between medical organizations, and the crisis between the medical community and the traditional Korean medicine community is worsening."

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