Exploring the Ways to Apply Korean Traditional Medical Practices to the International Classification of Health Interventions through Focus Group Discussion

Mikyung Kim; Eun-Jin Kim; Yun-Jung Cho; Chang-ho Han; Kim, Mikyung; Kim, Eun-Jin; Cho, Yun-Jung; Han, Chang-ho

doi:10.13048/jkm.20029

JKM > Volume 41(3); 2020 > Article

Kim, Kim, Cho, and Han: Exploring the Ways to Apply Korean Traditional Medical Practices to the International Classification of Health Interventions through Focus Group Discussion

Original Article

The Journal of Korean Medicine 2020; 41(3): 125-137.

Published online: September 01, 2020

DOI: https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.20029

Exploring the Ways to Apply Korean Traditional Medical Practices to the International Classification of Health Interventions through Focus Group Discussion

Mikyung Kim¹

, Eun-Jin Kim², Yun-Jung Cho², Chang-ho Han³

¹Dep. of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University

²Dep. of Medical Record, Chung-Ang University Medical Center

³Dep. of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University

Correspondence to: Chang-ho Han Department of Internal Medicine, College of Korean Medicine, Dongguk University, 123, Dongdae-ro, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, Republic of Korea Tel: +82-54-770-1260, Fax: +82-54-770-1500, E-mail: hani@dgu.edu

Received July 30, 2020 Revised August 16, 2020 Accepted August 18, 2020

Abstract

Objectives

This study was aimed to present the experts’ opinions for the successful application of Korean traditional medical practices (KTMPs) to the International Classification of Health Intervention (ICHI).

Methods

Two doctors of Korean Medicine and two health information managers who had tried coding 131 KTMPs using ICHI participated in the focus group discussion. The remarks from the discussion were summarized according to the thematic analysis method.

Results

The participants expected ICHI to be mainly used for statistics when applied to TKMPs. It can be used for payment systems as well, but it was expected that additional work would be required. They thought the current version of the ICHI did not sufficiently reflect the KMTPs of the real world, and even the interventions already included in the ICHI were not explained enough in the system. They thought it would not be easy to explain more KTMPs within the current structure of the ICHI, but they also said it seemed possible. In the process, rather than adding entirely new stem codes, it would be better to generate new combinations of the existing codes, to suppose subdivided codes, and to utilize the include terms or extension codes.

Conclusions

For the successful introduction of ICHI, clarifying the definition of each intervention of KTMPs is a top priority. In addition, it is necessary to continue the matching work of ICHI - KMPTs and also required to make this effort together with the field of traditional medicine and complementary medicine worldwide.

Keywords: International classification of health interventions, Korean medical practices, World Health Organization Family of International Classifications

Fig. 1

Study participants’ selection process ICHI, International Classification of Health Interventions; WHO, World Health Organization; KTMP, Korean traditional medical practices; KOSTAT, Statistics Korea

Fig. 2

Data collection process

Fig. 3

Data analysis process

Fig. 4

Suggestions to include more interventions in the International Classification of Health Intervention KM, Korean medicine; ICHI, International Classification of Health Interventions

Table 1

Characteristics of Participants

Participant code	Profession	Field experience (year)
K1	Doctor of Korean Medicine	12
K2	Doctor of Korean Medicine	27
H1	Health Information Manager	25
H2	Health Information Manager	3

Table 2

Themes Identified during the Discussion.

Themes	Sub-themes		Results summary	Participants

				K1	K2	H1	H2
Purpose of using the ICHI	Purpose of using ICHI in KM		Statistical purposes	✓	✓	✓	✓
Purpose of using the ICHI			Use in payment system	✓		✓

Evaluation of the current system	-Ease of search		Difficult	✓		✓
	-Degree of completeness of the KM codes		Poor	✓	✓
	-Degree of real reflection of the KM codes		Poor	✓		✓
	-Mutual exclusivity among the KM codes		Good for now	✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Compatibility with other classifications	ICD, ICF	Compatible	✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Compatibility with other classifications	EDI	Requires extra work	✓	✓	✓

Expandibility of the system	-Appropriateness of 3-axis structure		Difficult to express, but not impossible to code within the present system	✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Comprehensiveness of the current system		Limited	✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Possibility to include KM practices not yet included		Difficult, but possible	✓	✓	✓	✓

Proposal of methods to cover KM practices in the system	-Generating new combinations using existing T, A, and M codes			✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Adding new codes			✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Segmentation of codes			✓		✓
	-Adding inclusion terms or extension codes			✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Using traditional medicine tags					✓

Future tasks	-Clarification of KM practice definition			✓	✓	✓	✓
	-Continuation of matching between ICHI and KM practices				✓
	-Linkage with world traditional medicine and complementary alternative medicine				✓

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