Reviewed by최연승대표원장
Is it possible to use a non-face-to-face (telemedicine) Korean Medicine clinic for weight loss from Yeosu?
Yes, it is possible. However, first-time patients are advised to visit at least once so we can check your pulse and facial complexion directly. If you have already visited our clinic before or your health condition is relatively stable, we can provide a consultation and prescription remotely. In principle, the initial visit requires an in-person consultation, while follow-ups or simple prescription adjustments can be done non-face-to-face. For specific details, please feel free to contact us via phone or KakaoTalk and I will tailor the plan for you.
Many people living in Yeosu also consider non-face-to-face treatment. Since I often send herbal medicine to patients who live far away, I receive this question frequently. To put it simply, whether non-face-to-face treatment at a Korean Medicine clinic is fully possible or requires conditions depends on the situation.
First, if you have already visited our Baekrokdam Korean Medicine Clinic before, a non-face-to-face follow-up is relatively easy. We have your chart with recorded changes in your body condition, and since I have personally taken your pulse and examined your tongue (舌診, seoljin), I can assess minor changes through phone or video calls. In this case, we prepare your herbal medicine and send it via courier, and provide remote guidance on usage and how to handle any side effects.
Second, for first-time patients, both legally and for accurate diagnosis, I recommend visiting at least once. Especially for weight loss herbal medicine, it is not simply about weight reduction. We need to determine whether it is spleen deficiency (脾虛, biheo), phlegm-fluid accumulation (痰飮, dameum), or blood stasis (瘀血, eohyeol) circulation issues. Precise pulse diagnosis (脈診, maekjin) and abdominal examination (腹診, bokjin) are essential for an accurate prescription. If you try to rely solely on non-face-to-face treatment, you might end up with a prescription that doesn't match your constitution, leading to bloating or constipation. I have made such mistakes in my early days, so I emphasize this point firmly.
Third, there is a hybrid approach. For example, if traveling from Yeosu to Seoul is burdensome, you can come for the initial consultation only, then continue with phone consultations and courier delivery for follow-ups. Alternatively, you can visit a nearby Korean Medicine clinic for a basic check-up (pulse, blood pressure, body composition) and send me the results for review. However, in such cases, the responsibility for treatment must be clearly established, so prior discussion is necessary.
Lastly, please note that under medical law, non-face-to-face treatment is not always permitted. For instance, it is difficult to prescribe strong formulas (e.g., Sasang constitution herbs or ingredients with higher risk of side effects) to a new patient remotely. Therefore, under the principle that "the safest way to lose weight is the fastest way," we combine in-person and non-face-to-face methods according to the patient's situation. If you are in the Yeosu area, please first contact us via KakaoTalk or phone for a brief consultation. If I determine that non-face-to-face treatment is feasible, we proceed accordingly; if I feel I need to see you in person, I will schedule a visit. Please feel free to reach out without burden.