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

Article information

J Korean Med. 2020;41(3):125-137
Publication date (electronic) : 2020 September 01
doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.20029
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 2020 July 30; Revised 2020 August 16; Accepted 2020 August 18.

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.

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

Characteristics of Participants

Themes Identified during the Discussion.

References

1. Madden R, Sykes C, Ustun TB. World Health Organization family of international classifications: definition, scope and purpose Geneva: World Health Organization; 2007.
2. SSiS. WHO-FIC Introduction [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from: https://www.hins.or.kr/sco/WhoPicIntro.do.
3. Korea S. Statistical Classification Portal: Health Classifications [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from: http://kssc.kostat.go.kr/ksscNew_web/kssc/main/main.do?gubun=1&pageChk=Y#.
4. MITEL. ICHI Beta-3 Reference Guide. International Classification of Health Interventions 2020. [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from: https://mitel.dimi.uniud.it/ichi/docs/ICHI%20Beta-3%20Reference%20Guide.pdf.
5. MITEL. ICHI Beta-3 Web Browser 2020. Available from: https://mitel.dimi.uniud.it/ichi/.
6. Fortune N, Madden R, Almborg A-H. Use of a new international classification of health interventions for capturing information on health interventions relevant to people with disabilities. International journal of environmental research and public health 2018;15(1):145.
7. Deng H, Adams CE, Shokraneh F, Liang S. Classification of interventions in traditional Chinese medicine. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine 2018;38(2):315–20.
8. Han C-h, Kim M, Jang I, Min S, Jo N, Shin D. Using ICHI beta 2018 to code TM interventions. In : WHO-FIC Network Annual Meetign 2018; 2018; Seoul, Korea: WHO/CTS;
9. AKOM. Development of Korean Classification of Medical Interventions and Relative Value Compatible to International Classification (Korean Medicine) 2013. [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from: http://repository.hira.or.kr/handle/2019.oak/1582.
10. AKOM. Standadization of Classification System for Non-Benefit Interventions and Development of Definitions for Interventions (Korean Medicine) 2013. [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from: http://repository.hira.or.kr/handle/2019.oak/1587.
11. SKOM. Korean Standard Korean Medical Intervention Classification Improvement 201 [cited 2020 July 21]; Available from: http://repository.hira.or.kr/handle/2019.oak/732.
13. Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative research in psychology 2006;3(2):77–101.
14. Kim M. A case report of a patient with spinal cord infarction treated by Korean medicine combined with conventional medicine: An evaluation using Korean Standard Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (KCF). Journal of Korean Medicine 2018;39(3):89–100.

Article information Continued

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
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
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