Perception of the Health Promotion Programme using Traditional Korean Medicine (HaPP TKM): A Survey of Traditional Korean Medicine public health doctors

Abstract Introduction This study investigated the current status of the Health Promotion Programme using Traditional Korean Medicine (HaPP-TKM). A survey of public health Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) doctors asked for suggestions on developing the system and programmes so that TKM public health doctors can practice effectively in different circumstances. Methods TKM public health doctors working in health centres in the Republic Korea were asked about the performance status of HaPP-TKM and their opinions on the programme. The questionnaire took about 20 min to complete and included basic information about the respondent, plus performance status and opinions on HaPP-TKM and the TKM public health doctor system. The survey was administered to 908 doctors through SurveyMonkey. Results The response rate was 96.2% (n = 838) of which 31.1% (n = 236) of respondents were administering HaPP-TKM. The top three programmes that TKM doctors implemented were; stroke (23.1%, n = 61), smoking cessation (20.1%, n = 53), and osteoarthritis (14.8%, n = 39). Over 50% of TKM public health doctors reported that the difficulties performing the programmes were a result of insufficient infrastructure, followed by lack of information and training on TKM health promotion programmes (32.6%, n = 86). Conclusion The study results show that TKM is in high demand and appropriate for stroke, smoking cessation, and osteoarthritis. The activation plan for TKM health promotion programmes are as follows: first, well trained human resources, spaces, facilities, and budget are essential, second, programme development and training manual development should run concurrently and last, it is necessary to consider ways to specialize the health promotion programmes and medical treatment according to specialty areas.