Jun 25 • Younghun Kim

Exploring Integrative Medicine: A Week of Clinical Immersion at Jaseng Medical Academy

Discover how fourth-year students from Gachon University’s College of Korean Medicine recently joined Jaseng Medical Academy’s Clinical Electives, gaining practical experience and broadening their perspectives as the next generation of Korean medicine doctors.

Program Introduction

This past week, Jaseng Medical Academy proudly hosted fourth-year Traditional Korean Medicine students from Gachon University for an intensive clinical elective. Throughout the immersive experience, the students actively engaged in lectures, hands-on practice sessions, and hospital rotations, gaining invaluable insights into Jaseng’s integrative medicine approach. This blog series chronicles their journey day-by-day, highlighting their learning experiences, interactive projects, and meaningful moments as they deepened their clinical understanding and prepared for their future careers as medical professionals.


Day1: Welcoming Ceremony, Orientation, Hospital Tour and Hands-on Sessions

Our exciting week with the 4th-year students from Gachon University College of Korean Medicine began on an enthusiastic note with a welcoming ceremony and orientation. We initiated the session by providing students with an overview of Jaseng Hospital of Korean Medicine—introducing our philosophy, integrative medicine practices, and an insight into the treatments offered to our patients.

The orientation effectively set the stage, ensuring students gained foundational knowledge and context about the hospital’s mission and the breadth of treatments available here.

Next on the agenda was an immersive hospital tour, meticulously designed to showcase Jaseng Hospital’s integrative approach combining conventional and Korean medicine. Beginning on the 15th floor, students learned about Jaseng’s history and milestones. They visited our peaceful Sky Garden—a dedicated relaxation space for patients—before exploring clinical areas, including treatment rooms and inpatient facilities. The students were notably impressed by the harmonious integration of advanced medical equipment and traditional treatment spaces, observing firsthand how our patient-centered care is implemented in practice.

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The afternoon concluded with an insightful hands-on session led by Dr. Na-Kyung, one of our dedicated medical residents. Given the project's pharmacopuncture theme, Dr. Na-Kyung's session comprehensively covered fundamental aspects of pharmacopuncture therapy. She detailed Jaseng’s evidence-based approach. She also introduces the strategic use of ultrasound technology for precise acupuncture techniques.

The highlight of the session was the practical exercise where students administered pharmacopuncture to each other under supervision. This hands-on experience was transformative, as the students could immediately appreciate the therapeutic effectiveness of pharmacopuncture. Many expressed amazement at experiencing instant pain relief, reinforcing their theoretical learning with tangible results.
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Day 2: Diving Deeper into Pharmacopuncture and Clinical Observations

On the second day, students enthusiastically continued their assigned task—developing presentations focused on pharmacopuncture, a key therapeutic method in Traditional Korean Medicine. Each student selected specific medical conditions of interest and explored how pharmacopuncture is systematically applied in Korea, referencing Clinical Practice Guidelines (CPGs) and standardized textbooks. They meticulously detailed the indications, relevant acupuncture points, treatment protocols, safety considerations, and appropriate management strategies for potential side effects. Through intensive research and collaborative discussion, students not only enhanced their academic understanding but also gained a practical perspective on how theory translates into effective clinical practice.

In the afternoon, the students visited the inpatient wards at Gangnam Jaseng Hospital, guided by resident physicians. Given their stage as soon-to-graduate medical students, the participants were particularly curious about hospital life and training experiences. The residents shared candid insights about daily responsibilities, patient interactions, and the reality of clinical training after graduation. This sparked an engaging dialogue, with students posing numerous questions, ranging from patient management to practical tips on balancing clinical duties and personal development. The session provided a realistic glimpse into their potential futures, 

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Day 3: Introducing Jaseng’s Techniques and Advancing Pharmacopuncture Knowledge

Day 3 kicked off with an inspiring lecture and hands-on session led by Dr. Mi-Riong, a senior clinician at Jaseng. Dr. Me-Riong focused on Jaseng’s specialized approach to treating low back pain (LBP), introducing students to Chuna manual therapy, one of Jaseng’s hallmark treatments. Observing the students’ passion and dedication, Dr. Me-Riong was visibly impressed and enthusiastically provided detailed guidance throughout the session. Students not only learned key theoretical concepts but also actively practiced specific manual therapy techniques, gaining practical skills and building confidence under expert supervision.

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After the morning’s practical session, students returned to their pharmacopuncture lecture projects. With support from Dr. Na-Kyung and the Jaseng program coordinators, students addressed challenging sections of their presentations, clarifying uncertainties and refining their work. This collaborative environment allowed students to deepen their understanding further and ensured they progressed smoothly towards completing their tasks. By the end of the day, it was clear that the group was becoming increasingly adept in handling complex topics in pharmacopuncture, setting the stage for their upcoming final presentations.

Day 4: Witnessing Clinical Excellence and Exploring Jaseng’s Cutting-edge Research

Day 4 provided the students with an immersive clinical observation experience at Jamsil Jaseng Hospital. Paired with expert physicians, each student closely observed live patient consultations and treatments, witnessing firsthand Jaseng’s integrative methods. The sessions included foundational acupuncture, Chuna manual therapy, and advanced techniques such as ultrasound-guided pharmacopuncture. Students found it particularly inspiring to see the core Jaseng philosophy, "Compassionate Heart (긍휼지심)," in action—reflected in each physician's attentive patient interactions, genuine empathy, and personalized approach to care. This authentic exposure to clinical practice profoundly enriched their educational journey.
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In the afternoon, the students ventured into Jaseng’s research and manufacturing facilities. At the Jaseng Spine and Joint Research Institute (JSR), researchers shared insights about ongoing scientific studies using animal models (mouse and rat), highlighting Jaseng’s commitment to evidence-based medicine. Students learned about current projects aimed at validating traditional therapies through rigorous scientific methods, and gained a clearer understanding of Jaseng’s future research goals.

The exploration continued at Jaseng MediBio Center, beginning with a captivating tour of the JS Museum, which detailed Jaseng’s historical development and forward-looking vision. Following this, students visited various production facilities where they observed the meticulous selection, quality assurance, and preparation processes of herbal medicine. They were particularly fascinated by the production line for Shinbaro vials, Jaseng’s signature pharmacopuncture treatment, seeing firsthand the rigorous standards employed to ensure its quality and efficacy.

By the day’s end, the combination of clinical immersion and insightful facility tours gave the students a deeper appreciation for Jaseng’s integrated clinical-research ecosystem and its commitment to advancing traditional medicine through innovation and scientific rigor.

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Day 5: Celebrating Achievement and Reflecting on Growth

The final day began with students completing their pharmacopuncture presentations, which they had diligently prepared throughout the week. Although initially challenged by the complexity and depth of pharmacopuncture, the students demonstrated remarkable growth and confidence by the end of the project. Their thorough presentations not only reflected their increased understanding but also revealed the strong teamwork, active engagement, and critical thinking skills developed during their brief but intense journey.

The program concluded with a warm and reflective closing ceremony. Each student presented their pharmacopuncture findings and shared heartfelt insights about their week-long experience at Jaseng Medical Academy. Their reflections ranged from genuine appreciation for the opportunity provided to newfound clarity regarding their future roles as Traditional Korean Medicine practitioners. Many expressed gratitude for the invaluable hands-on clinical experience, the meaningful interactions with clinicians, researchers, and peers, and the inspiration drawn from Jaseng’s integrative medical philosophy.

One student beautifully captured the collective sentiment, remarking, “This short yet profound week at Jaseng has guided me clearly towards the kind of physician I aspire to be.” Their sincerity resonated deeply with both faculty and fellow students.

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Closing remarks from our team leader echoed the gratitude, emphasizing the reciprocal value of this enriching experience: “This past week with Gachon University’s Traditional Korean Medicine students has been incredibly rewarding—not just for the students, but for the entire Jaseng Medical Academy team as well. Your enthusiasm, dedication, and passion made this program truly memorable. We deeply appreciate your active participation and wish you every success in your promising medical careers.”

As the students departed, the mutual gratitude was evident, marking not just the conclusion of a memorable week, but the beginning of meaningful, lasting connections.

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