Distinguishing institution types, care fields and clinician credentials helps you read provider information more accurately.
A clinic-level institution where licensed Korean medicine doctors provide Korean medical care. Under Korea’s Medical Service Act, clinics primarily treat outpatients. Treatments and care fields vary by institution and clinician.
Korean medicine hospitals are hospital-level institutions primarily serving inpatients and must have at least 30 beds under the Medical Service Act. Size or university affiliation alone does not establish better outcomes for every condition.
Specialties recognized under Korean regulations. Not every institution offers all specialties.
Popularity and reviews alone cannot establish care quality. Use these questions as a starting point.
Check the clinician’s license, specialist credentials and relevant practice. Distinguish the institution’s brand from the individual clinician’s experience.
Ask about the diagnosis, likely benefits and uncertainties, adverse effects, alternatives, costs and reassessment. Seek evidence behind claims of guaranteed cures.
Ask how testing or referral is arranged when needed. Share existing conditions and medicines, and review changes and adverse effects during treatment.
Participation in studies or a large publication record does not guarantee an institution’s outcomes across all types of care.
For sudden severe chest pain, difficulty breathing, paralysis or other emergency symptoms, seek emergency care or call 119 in Korea.