Understanding the demands for home-based healthcare services using traditional Korean medicine in older adults and individuals with disabilities: A mixed methods study

IF 1.3 4区医学 Q3 INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE

European Journal of Integrative Medicine Pub Date : 2025-12-01 Epub Date: 2025-10-02 DOI:10.1016/j.eujim.2025.102568

Soo-Hyun Sung , Kyeong-Han Kim , Hyein Jeong , Soobin Jang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Introduction

Many older adults and individuals with disabilities experience significant barriers to accessing clinic-based health services, often resulting in unmanaged chronic conditions and diminished quality of life. Home-based healthcare is emerging as a viable solution, and interest in traditional Korean medicine is increasing due to its accessibility and perceived safety. This study aimed to identify the needs and expectations of older adults and individuals with disabilities for home-based healthcare using traditional Korean medicine.

Methods

Our study employed a mixed methods design that combined survey data and qualitative research. The online survey was conducted among two groups: 1) older adults aged 65 years and older and 2) individuals with disabilities aged 20 years and older. Semi-structured focus group interviews were conducted for the respondents who received home visits from traditional Korean medicine doctors

Results

Survey findings revealed that older adults showed a higher demand and willingness to participate in home-based healthcare services than individuals with disabilities. Respondents identified chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, stroke, and dementia as key targets for home-based care. High-priority needs included physical and mental health support, health monitoring, and integration with conventional medical services. The most valued benefit of home-based care was improved accessibility for those with difficulty visiting hospitals. Focus group interview participants, particularly older adults, described feeling psychologically supported and satisfied through extended health counseling provided during house calls. Individuals with disabilities emphasized the need for transportation support for follow-up hospital visits.

Conclusions

Our findings provide foundational evidence for the development of integrated, home-based healthcare policies targeting older adults and people with disabilities. Expanding home-based traditional Korean medicine care may address health inequities and enhance well-being among populations with limited mobility.

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了解老年人和残疾人使用韩国传统医学的家庭保健服务的需求：一项混合方法研究

许多老年人和残疾人在获得诊所保健服务方面遇到重大障碍，往往导致慢性病得不到控制和生活质量下降。以家庭为基础的医疗保健正在成为一种可行的解决方案，由于其可及性和安全性，对传统韩国医学的兴趣正在增加。本研究旨在确定老年人和残疾人对使用韩国传统医学的家庭保健的需求和期望。方法本研究采用调查资料与定性研究相结合的混合方法设计。在线调查对象分为两组：1)65岁及以上的老年人和2)20岁及以上的残疾人。对接受韩医家访的受访者进行半结构化焦点小组访谈。结果调查结果显示，老年人对家庭保健服务的需求和意愿高于残疾人。受访者认为，高血压、糖尿病、中风和痴呆等慢性病是家庭护理的主要目标。高度优先的需求包括身心健康支助、健康监测以及与传统医疗服务相结合。以家庭为基础的护理最重要的好处是改善了那些难以前往医院的人的可及性。焦点小组访谈的参与者，特别是老年人，描述了通过上门服务提供的长期健康咨询而感到心理上的支持和满足。残疾人强调需要为后续医院访问提供交通支持。结论本研究结果为制定针对老年人和残疾人的综合居家医疗保健政策提供了基础依据。扩大以家庭为基础的韩国传统医疗保健可以解决卫生不平等问题，提高流动性有限人群的福祉。

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来源期刊

European Journal of Integrative Medicine INTEGRATIVE & COMPLEMENTARY MEDICINE-

CiteScore

4.70

自引率

4.00%

发文量

102

审稿时长

33 days

期刊介绍： The European Journal of Integrative Medicine (EuJIM) considers manuscripts from a wide range of complementary and integrative health care disciplines, with a particular focus on whole systems approaches, public health, self management and traditional medical systems. The journal strives to connect conventional medicine and evidence based complementary medicine. We encourage submissions reporting research with relevance for integrative clinical practice and interprofessional education. EuJIM aims to be of interest to both conventional and integrative audiences, including healthcare practitioners, researchers, health care organisations, educationalists, and all those who seek objective and critical information on integrative medicine. To achieve this aim EuJIM provides an innovative international and interdisciplinary platform linking researchers and clinicians. The journal focuses primarily on original research articles including systematic reviews, randomized controlled trials, other clinical studies, qualitative, observational and epidemiological studies. In addition we welcome short reviews, opinion articles and contributions relating to health services and policy, health economics and psychology.