Report on World Health Organization

Jeannie Kang, LAc

Since June 2005, I have been representing the AAAOM at the WHO meetings for the International Classifications of Diseases (ICD) held in Korea, Japan, or China. WHO Pacific Rim region organized the meetings. This region coordinates Oriental medicine development and research, formulating standards for acupuncture, herbs, terminology, etc.

I have attended several of the WHO-ICD meetings since 2005. Meetings last for 3 days, 8am -5pm. With attendance from 6-7 countries, we cycle through many opinions, comments, and discussions that can be long and arduous, while always resulting in a peaceful agreement. Before deciding whether or not OM could be included into ICD, WHO-PRO had to complete the International Standardization of Terminology. After years of revisions, it is finally complete! With this enormous vehicle in hand, attending countries decided whether to take part in this world wide health information system. This was very exciting, defining the first time in history that Oriental medicine would no longer be considered a "non-scientific" approach to medicine-- the verbal generation-to-generation, hand-me-down medicine...anecdotal medicine each country used in villages...the “barefoot doctors” as they were called.

In all probability, the ICD11, including Chapter 24 (including OM) will become a reality in 2015. As such, Oriental medicine would find a new home shoulder-to-shoulder with Western medicine disciplines like neurology, internal medicine and pediatrics. The ICD codes would reflect OM diagnosis, such as Bi Syndrome, with a universal code, recognized as such by all practitioners of Oriental medicine and medical doctors worldwide. This form of communication will help Oriental medicine to achieve a global approach for this long standing, effective medicine that we call our own. At the March meeting, delegates from China, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, Australia, US, and the ICD consultant from Australia worked diligently to make a sound decision. All countries agreed to participate in the ICD 11, Chapter 24 (the chapter solely dedicated to Oriental medicine; could eventually expand to include other "alternative" medicines from Africa, South America, etc.) Once all member countries were on board, we found that which had to be taken to formulate the first draft before the WHO-FIC (WHO- Family of International Classifications.) This is the governing body that oversees all information preceding acceptance into ICD systems.

The preliminary meeting was scheduled for August, 2007, to present the first draft in Italy in October, 2007. This doesn’t allow much time if we want to get this done this year such that 2015 would be the final date of completion. This year is the perfect window of opportunity; otherwise we will have to wait another couple of years before the opportunity arises again for acceptance of drafts for a new category like Oriental medicine. The WHO Pacific Region is going ahead with ICD 11 at full force. The WHO Pacific Region extended the invitation to the US from the beginning. The practitioner community needs to be on this train now rather than later. Then we can be part of the discussion on how to remodel our system in the United States, to update it according to international standards. China and Korea already have a national system built into their healthcare system with ICD 10 codes to bill insurance for reimbursement. . .Yes... drafted in OM language! In Japan, Western doctors practice with herbs, but non-physicians practice acupuncture. I recommend we continue to support this initiative until the end, in 2015. In the meantime, we need to start thinking about how to better integrate the IC9 system into our billing practices in the United States. Globalization of Oriental Medicine means ascribing to international standards. It is a challenge, but one that must be met with courage, steadfastness, patience, and endurance, for the survival of this medicine into the 21st century.

Jeannie Kang has studied abroad at Sussex University in Brighton, England, and received a BA from UC Riverside. She completed a psychology residency at Patton State Hospital in Highland, California. She received her MA from South Baylor University. From 2002-2006 Ms. Kang sat on the board of directors of the California State Oriental Medical Association (CSOMA) where she served in various capacities, including the Executive Committee and as immediate past-president. She currently serves as the Chair of the AAAOM’s Korean Advisory Council and as international advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO). Ms. Kang has a successful practice in Los Angeles, California since 1998 and finds her work very rewarding!