Korean Clinic Based Outcome Measure Studies

• Main Author: Jongbae Park
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Korean Pharmacopuncture Institute 2003-02-01
• Series: Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.3831/KPI.2003.6.1.035

Background: Evidence based medicine has become main tools for medical practice. However, conducting a highly ranked in the evidence hierarchy pyramid is not easy or feasible at all times and places. There remains a room for descriptive clinical outcome measure studies with admitting the limit of the intepretation. Aims: Presents three Korean clinic based outcome measure studies with a view to encouraging Korean clinicians to conduct similar studies. Methods: Three studies are presented briefly here including 1) Quality of Life of liver cancer patients after 8 Constitutional acupuncture; 2) Developing a Korean version of Measuring yourself Medical Outcome profile (MYMOP); and 3) Survey on 5 Shu points: a pilot In the first study, we have included 4 primary or secondary liver cancer patients collecting their diagnostic X-ray film and clinical data f개m their hospital, and asked them to fill in the European Organization Research and Treatment of Cancer, Quality of Life Questionnaire before the commencement of the treatment. The acupuncture treatment is set up format but not disclosed yet. The translation and developing a Korean version of outcome measures that is Korean clinician friendly has been sought for MYMOP is one of the most appropriate one. The permission was granted, the translation into Korean was done, then back translated into English only based on the Korean translation by the researcher who is bilingual in both languages. The back translation was compared by the original developer of MYMOP and confirmed usable. In order to test the existence of acupoints and meridians through popular forms of Korean acupuncture regimes, we aim at collecting opinions from 101 Korean clinicians that have used those forms. The questions asked include most effective symptoms, 5 Shu points, points those are least likely to use due to either adverse events or the lack of effectiveness, theoretical reasons for the above proposals, proposing outcome measures, and the time from insertion to be effective. The questionnaire is posted on the virtual notice board of the homepage of the communication KOMA (The official tool of Association of Korean Oriental Medicine).