Director Lee Jewon of BM K-Clinic sat down for an interview with "Mannadream," a series specializing in Korean Medicine physician interviews.
Under the theme, "A Korean Medicine physician is potentially a competent internist", Director Lee shared his in-depth treatment philosophy and the unique system of BM K-Clinic.
We introduce the key highlights from the interview.
Redefining Korean Internal Medicine: "Internal Medicine by Korean Medicine Physicians"
Director Lee offers a new definition of "Korean Internal Medicine" (Hanbang Naegwa)."
I personally define the concept of 'Korean Internal Medicine' as 'internal medicine by Korean Medicine physicians.'"
"If a Korean Medicine physician (KM physician) majors in internal medicine, it's Korean Internal Medicine; if a Western doctor (MD) majors in it, it's Western Internal Medicine."
Director Lee emphasizes that Korean Medicine possesses an academic framework optimized for internal medicine, which looks at the inner aspects of disease , and that every KM physician has the potential to excel in internal medicine.
The Unique System of BM K-Clinic
Based on this philosophy, BM K-Clinic operates a unique treatment model.
1. 1-Hour+ Consultations, Relationship-Centered Care
BM K-Clinic dedicates over an hour to the first consultation, focusing on listening to the patient's history.
"Over 70% of a diagnosis is determined by listening to the patient's history, their story."
The philosophy is that the core of internal medicine is restoring the 'relationship between people,' not just managing numbers.
2. The 'Healthy Freedom (HF) Camp': A Non-Face-to-Face Ward
The 'Healthy Freedom (HF) Camp' is a core system at BM K-Clinic.
This open chat room operates not as a simple community, but as a 'non-face-to-face ward'.
We check in on patients' daily lives, provide feedback, and help manage their diet and lifestyle habits.
Accurate Diagnosis: 'Disease Diagnosis (Byeon-byeong)' Precedes 'Pattern/Syndrome Diagnosis (Byeon-jeung)'
Director Lee stresses that a KM physician's diagnosis must consist of two categories.
"First, we must make a 'diagnosis of the disease (Byeon-byeong)' and then, separately, a 'diagnosis for determining Korean medical treatment (Byeon-jeung).'"
He states that modern diagnostic tools, such as blood tests and ultrasound, must be actively used for an accurate 'Byeon-byeong' (disease diagnosis) , and that it is crucial to establish a Korean medical treatment plan based on this objective data.
You can read the full story, treatment philosophy, and vision for the future of Korean Medicine from Director Lee Jewon of BM K-Clinic in the "Mannadream" interview.
