A Survey on the Satisfaction and Perception of Clinical Education in Traditional Korean Medicine

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the satisfaction and perceptions of traditional Korean medicine (TKM) clinical education among foreign physicians and traditional, complementary, and alternative medicine (TCAM) practitioners. Methods: Of the 1,395 participants who completed TKM clinical education in 2023, 631 responded to the survey (45.2% response rate). The survey, developed by three experts, contained 15 items across three sections: basic information, clinical education satisfaction, and clinical education perceptions. The online survey was conducted within 7 days after education completion. Results: Overall satisfaction was 94.5% (n=595). Program structure was the key satisfaction factor (42.9%, n=271). Areas needing improvement included communication between instructors and learners (36.1%, n=228) and course structure (16.3%, n=103). Awareness of TKM increased from 34.9% to 84.6%. After education, 90.8% intended to use TKM products, and 94.5% aimed to apply TKM in practice. Discussion: A well-structured curriculum and effective communication can help improve satisfaction and positively impact perceptions and use of TKM. Further improvements in communication and course design could enhance educational outcomes. Conclusion: Satisfaction with TKM clinical education significantly influences continuous participation. These findings provide a basis for improving TKM clinical education programs.