Doctors and Korean Medicine Doctors Clash Over COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests Intensifies

Korean Medicine Association: "Recognize Tests by Korean Medicine Doctors and Apply Fees"
Medical Association: "Tests by Non-Physician Professionals Are Not Justified"
Health Authorities: "No Consideration to Allow Korean Medicine Clinics"

On the 18th, as the COVID-19 variant outbreak entered its peak phase, medical staff at the temporary screening clinic in Seoul Plaza closely monitored the rapid antigen test kit results of a test subject. On that day, 407,017 new confirmed cases were reported, bringing the total to 8,657,609. There were also 301 deaths recorded in a single day. Photo by Kim Hyun-min kimhyun81@

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Gwan-ju] The conflict between medical doctors and Korean medicine doctors over the use of expert rapid antigen tests (RAT) for COVID-19 has intensified. While the Korean Medicine Doctors Association (KMDA) demands the authorization of Korean medicine doctors to conduct rapid antigen tests, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) has rebutted, calling it a "dangerous idea." The quarantine authorities have announced that they will not recognize rapid antigen tests conducted by Korean medicine doctors as confirmed cases for now, but the KMDA insists on continuing to perform rapid antigen tests.

Korean Medicine Community Declares "Implementation of Rapid Antigen Tests"... Government "No Consideration for Approval"

The full-scale debate began on the 21st when the KMDA declared the full implementation of expert rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. In a statement, the KMDA said, "We strongly condemn the indecisiveness of the quarantine authorities who are only watching the interests of certain professions, and from this moment, we declare the full implementation of 'expert rapid antigen tests (RAT)' by Korean medicine doctors." The KMDA urged the government to guarantee at the national level the active participation of Korean medicine doctors in all COVID-19 related testing and treatment and to immediately apply health insurance fees for rapid antigen tests conducted by Korean medicine doctors.

In response, the government officially announced that it is not considering allowing Korean medicine clinics to conduct expert rapid antigen tests for COVID-19. On the 22nd, the day after the KMDA's statement, the quarantine authorities stated at a regular briefing, "Rather than expanding institutions that only conduct COVID-19 tests, we plan to manage testing institutions centered on those that provide both testing and treatment," adding, "We are not considering expanding testing institutions to Korean medicine clinics."

The KMDA strongly opposed the government's announcement with another statement. On the same day, the KMDA said, "We cannot contain our anger at the quarantine authorities' irresponsible decision and clearly state that we will conduct rapid antigen tests to improve the health and convenience of the public." They criticized, "Public health Korean medicine doctors are already conducting PCR tests on the front lines of COVID-19, so there is absolutely no reason why Korean medical institutions cannot perform rapid antigen tests," and added, "Creating a medical environment where people can freely choose between Korean medicine and Western medicine to receive rapid antigen tests and alleviate symptoms with herbal and Western medicines is the immediate task that the quarantine authorities must implement."

Medical Community: "It Is Not Appropriate for Non-Physician Professions to Conduct Rapid Antigen Tests"

In response, the Korean Medical Association expressed concerns about the claims of the Korean medicine community. They described it as a dangerous idea that denies the medical system. On the 24th, the KMA stated, "COVID-19 testing is not just about testing; follow-up processes such as telephone consultations, prescriptions, and treatments for confirmed patients are medical acts performed by doctors. Therefore, for continuity of care, it is entirely inappropriate for other professions to conduct RAT testing."

On the 17th, when 621,328 new COVID-19 cases were reported, visitors at a clinic in Seoul were waiting to take rapid antigen tests. Photo by Jin-Hyung Kang aymsdream@

The KMA pointed out that rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 by non-physician professions such as Korean medicine doctors and dentists could constitute illegal medical practice. The KMA said, "Under the Medical Service Act, doctors are responsible for medical care and health guidance, dentists for dental care and oral health guidance, and Korean medicine doctors for Korean medicine care and Korean medicine health guidance," adding, "Even if certain acts such as examination, diagnosis, prescription, medication, or surgical procedures are not explicitly listed, acts that could cause harm to public health if not performed by a doctor are considered 'medical acts by doctors.'"

The KMA continued, "If medical acts are allowed simply because other professions have acquired knowledge, it could be distorted to argue that non-medical individuals who have acquired considerable knowledge in a specific medical field should also be allowed to perform medical acts," emphasizing, "We must judge whether this truly benefits public health."

The KMA stressed, "Our citizens have the right to safely receive RAT testing from licensed doctors performing medical acts. We must not instill anxiety about testing among the public," and added, "In a situation where COVID-19 confirmed cases and deaths continue to surge, we must remember that this is a time to fully focus on COVID-19 response by ensuring continuity of care so that diagnosis and treatment can be conducted together."

The Korean Association of Private Practitioners also issued a press release stating, "The implementation of rapid antigen tests by the Korean medicine community, which will increase confusion on the ground and cause disruption to quarantine efforts, is illegal," and pointed out, "Although expert rapid antigen tests may seem simple, they require clinical experience with nasal and oral testing and are based on knowledge that cannot be learned from basic medical textbooks alone."

Korean Medicine Community "Angry at Western Medicine Community's Attitude"... Reenactment of Old Professional Conflicts?

Following the positions of the medical community, the KMDA issued another statement on the 25th, expressing strong opposition. The KMDA criticized, "Korean medicine doctors have a legal obligation to protect the public from infectious diseases like COVID-19, diagnose and report infected patients, and provide treatment," adding, "Nevertheless, we are angered by the Western medicine community's attitude, which mistakenly treats rapid antigen testing as their exclusive domain."

They further stated, "Even in this urgent situation where tens of thousands of COVID-19 confirmed cases are emerging daily, the Western medicine community, indifferent to public health and convenience, is obsessed with solidifying their monopoly by claiming that the licensing system is an exclusive and independent right granted only to Western doctors. They must now take a deep and painful moment of self-reflection."

The current conflict over rapid antigen testing is seen as stemming from long-standing professional disputes. Whether Korean medicine doctors conducting rapid antigen tests is legal or illegal under the Medical Service Act is a matter to be clarified by relevant authorities or decided in court. It is also analyzed that the KMDA's strong opposition is due to the lack of health insurance fee coverage. Currently, if patients receive tests at Korean medicine clinics, health insurance benefits are not applied, resulting in a significant financial burden on patients, and even if the test is positive, it is not recognized as a confirmed case, causing further inconvenience for patients.

Regardless of the debate between the two sides, it appears unlikely that the government will officially allow rapid antigen testing at Korean medicine clinics anytime soon. Currently, applications for additional rapid antigen testing at general local clinics and hospitals have been suspended, so there is no reason to expand the scope to include Korean medicine clinics.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.