Suwon District Court Acquits Oriental Medicine Doctor for Using Bone Mineral Density Device
Korean Oriental Medicine Association Demands Inclusion of Oriental Medicine Doctors as 'Diagnostic Radiation Safety Management Officers'
Korean Medical Association Refutes: "Oriental Medicine Community Attempts 'Unlicensed Medical Practice' by Distorting Legal Principles"
Oriental medicine doctors have declared their intention to use X-rays during patient treatment. This move follows a recent court ruling that found no issue with the use of radiological equipment within Oriental medicine clinics, prompting calls for the use of X-rays. However, the medical community strongly opposes the use of X-rays by Oriental medicine doctors, labeling it as 'unlicensed medical practice,' which is expected to lead to significant conflicts between doctors and Oriental medicine practitioners.
On the 25th, Yoon Seong-chan, president of the Korean Medicine Doctors Association (center), is holding a press conference at the Press Center in Jung-gu, Seoul, declaring the use of X-rays by Korean medicine doctors. Provided by the Korean Medicine Doctors Association
On the 25th, Yoon Seong-chan, president of the Korean Oriental Medicine Association, held a press conference at the Korea Press Center, stating, "Despite there being no legal issues with Oriental medicine doctors using medical devices, their use has been unfairly restricted due to persistent obstruction by the Western medical community and irresponsible neglect by the Ministry of Health and Welfare." He added, "To enhance patients' choice in treatment and reduce economic burdens, the executives of the Korean Oriental Medicine Association will actively use X-rays."
The Korean Oriental Medicine Association specified that the purposes for using X-rays include diagnosing conditions such as Chuna therapy-related issues, fractures, and osteoporosis?diseases diagnosable through X-rays. Jung Yoo-ong, senior vice president of the association, emphasized, "X-ray machines have already been installed in Oriental medicine clinics, and the necessary administrative procedures for their use are underway," adding, "X-rays are essential for accurate and safe diagnosis and treatment."
The official declaration by the Oriental medicine community to use X-rays was prompted by a ruling from the Suwon District Court on the 17th of last month. The court acquitted an Oriental medicine doctor who had received a summary fine of 2 million won for using a bone mineral density measurement device (BGM-6) employing X-ray technology. The prosecution abandoned its appeal, finalizing the acquittal. The court stated, "It is difficult to conclude that Article 10 of the Regulations on Safety Management of Diagnostic Radiation Generating Devices restricts the use of diagnostic radiation generating devices to specific persons."
For Oriental medicine clinics to legally use X-rays, they must pass related administrative procedures. According to Article 37, Paragraph 2 of the Medical Service Act, when installing diagnostic radiation generating devices, a 'safety management officer' must be appointed as prescribed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. However, the current Article 10 of the Regulations on Safety Management of Diagnostic Radiation Generating Devices limits the qualifications for safety management officers to general hospitals and hospitals, excluding Oriental medicine clinics. The appointment criteria include doctors, dentists, and radiologists but do not specify Oriental medicine doctors, indicating a need for related legal amendments.
President Yoon argued, "Following the court's judgment that Oriental medicine doctors' use of X-rays is legal, the government should include Oriental medicine doctors among safety management officers." He asserted, "Since Oriental medicine students learn X-ray interpretation throughout their education, there is no problem with Oriental medicine doctors using X-rays."
The Oriental medicine community also pointed out that patients visiting Oriental medicine clinics for sprains or fractures currently have to undergo X-ray examinations at Western hospitals for accurate diagnosis, then revisit the Oriental medicine clinic with the results, leading to double medical expenses. They argued that applying health insurance coverage to X-ray examinations conducted by Oriental medicine doctors would not only alleviate patients' inconvenience but also reduce their economic burden.
In response to these claims, doctors strongly opposed the stance. The Korean Medical Association rebutted, stating, "The issue initially reviewed by the court was whether the use of diagnostic radiation generating devices as a reference or auxiliary means in Oriental medical treatment posed a public health risk. The court concluded it did not warrant criminal punishment, but this does not imply approval of Oriental medicine doctors' use of medical devices." They further warned, "The Oriental medicine community's attempt to legalize X-ray use is a clear distortion of legal principles and a dangerous idea that could seriously harm public health."
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