Blood test use in Korean Medicine for monitoring herbal medicine safety.

ABSTRACT: Blood tests (BTs), specifically liver and/or kidney function tests, are employed in Korean Medicine (KM) practice to ensure the safety of herbal medicine. The widespread concomitant use of conventional and herbal medicines in South Korea requires BTs due to the unpredictable liver injury and drug-herb interactions. However, BTs ordered by Korean Medicine doctors (KMDs) are currently not covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI), which further leads to a lack of data on the demographics and utilization of BT in KM practice. This study surveys the frequency and features of BT utilization through a national sampling of KMDs. Between February 10 and 20, 2023, a questionnaire was developed and electronically distributed to 25,574 KMDs across the nation, comprising all licensed and qualifie

SUBMITTER: Cho E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12012122 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature