Development of Medical Volunteer Guidelines for Korean Medicine Students

Article information

J Korean Med. 2025;46(2):124-131

Publication date (electronic) : 2025 June 1

doi : https://doi.org/10.13048/jkm.25023

Jihyun-Lee ¹^,^§

, Beomsoo-Kim ¹^,^§

, Ryunkyeong-Lee ¹

, Minjeong-Kim ¹^,²^,

¹College of Korean Medicine, Sangji University

²Department of Acupuncture & Moxibustion Medicine of Korean Medicine, Korean Medicine Hospital of Sangji University

Correspondence to: Minjeong Kim, 83 Sangjidae-ro, Wonju, Gangwon-do, 26338, Republic of Korea, Tel: +82-33-741-9289, E-mail: goodykmj@hanmail.net

^§

Jihyun-Lee and Beomsoo-Kim equally attribute to first author

Received 2025 April 14; Revised 2025 May 18; Accepted 2025 May 23.

Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to develop a structured clinical guideline for Korean Medicine students’ participation in medical volunteer activities, with a focus on addressing field-based challenges and differences in clinical experiences.

Methods

Based on a previous survey conducted among Korean Medicine students, key areas of difficulty in medical volunteer services were identified. A five-part guideline was constructed: site zoning, safety and infection control, adverse events and precautions, acupuncture treatment, and herbal medicine treatment. Content was selected from practical references suitable for Korean Medicine students and finalized through consensus by one professor and three student researchers.

Results

The final guideline consists of 5 main categories and 24 subtopics, including site zoning, infection control, adverse events and precautions, commonly used acupoints and herbal prescriptions. It is expected to serve as a practical and educational tool that supports Korean Medicine students in Medical volunteer activities.

Conclusions

This guideline was developed as a practical manual to assist Korean medicine students in providing safe and consistent care in diverse medical volunteer settings.

Keywords: medical volunteer activity; clinical guideline; Korean Medicine student; acupuncture; traditional herbal medicine

Table 1

Guidelines for Korean Medicine Volunteer Activities

References

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Article information Continued

Table 1

Guidelines for Korean Medicine Volunteer Activities

5 main categories	Subcategories
Site Zoning	1-1	Waiting Area
	1-2	Preliminary Consultation Area
	1-3	Consultation and Diagnosis Area
	1-4	Acupuncture Treatment Area
	1-5	Herbal Medicine Area
Safety and Infection Control	2-1	Management of Treatment Room
	2-2	Patient Infection Control
	2-3	Doctors Infection Control
Adverse Events and Precautions	3-1	Fainting During Acupuncture
	3-2	Local Bleeding
	3-3	Needle Malfunction
	3-4	Pneumothorax
	3-5	Peripheral Nerve Injury
	3-6	Vascular Injury
	3-7	Contraindications for Acupuncture
	3-8	Burns
Acupuncture Treatment	4-1	Cervical Disorders
	4-2	Shoulder Disorders
	4-3	Lumbar Disorders
	4-4	Knee Joint Disorders
	4-5	Mental and Neurological Disorders (Insomnia, Headache, Dizziness, etc.)
	4-6	Digestive Disorders (Indigestion)
Herbal Medicine Treatment	5-1	Common Herbal Prescriptions and Indications
Herbal Medicine Treatment	5-2	Methods of Administration