title: Development of a template for the classification of traditional medical knowledge in Korea.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional Medical Knowledge (TMK) is a form of Traditional Knowledge associated with medicine that is handed down orally or by written material. There are efforts to document TMK, and make database to conserve Traditional Medicine and facilitate future research to validate traditional use. Despite of these efforts, there is no widely accepted template in data file format that is specific for TMK and, at the same time, helpful for understanding and organizing TMK.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to develop a template to classify TMK.
  
  
  METHODS
  First, we reviewed books, articles, and health-related classification systems, and used focus group discussion to establish the definition, scope, and constituents of TMK. Second, we developed an initial version of the template to classify TMK, and applied it to TMK data. Third, we revised the template, based on the results of the initial template and input from experts, and applied it to the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We developed the template for classification of TMK. The constituents of the template were summary, properties, tools/ingredients, indication/preparation/application, and international standard classification. We applied International Patent Classification, International Classification of Diseases (Korea version), and Classification of Korean Traditional Knowledge Resources to provide legal protection of TMK and facilitate academic research. The template provides standard terms for ingredients, preparation, administration route, and procedure method to assess safety and efficacy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This is the first template that is specialized for TMK for arranging and classifying TMK. The template would have important roles in preserving TMK, and protecting intellectual property. TMK data classified with the template could be used as the preliminary data to screen potential candidates for new pharmaceuticals.
authors.affiliation: Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science & Technology, 217 Gajung-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea; Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sungha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Boyoung
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sujeong
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mun
authors.affiliation: Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jeong Hwan
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Kyeoung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science & Technology, 217 Gajung-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea; Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Sunmi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Choi
authors.affiliation: Korean Medicine Life Science, University of Science & Technology, 217 Gajung-ro, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-350, Republic of Korea; Korea Medicine Fundamental Research Division, Korea Institute of Oriental Medicine, 1672 Yuseong-daero, Yuseong-gu, Daejeon 305-811, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: ezhani@kiom.re.kr.
authors.forename: Sanghun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018973:Intellectual Property; D019359:Knowledge; D007723:Korea; D008519:Medicine, Traditional / Q000379:methods*; D012106:Research
keywords: Conservation; Documentation; Intellectual property rights; Korea; Traditional medical knowledge