Abstract
The degree of doctors' autonomy is decided by the relations between the profession and the state. The exclusive right required by doctors is based on knowledge, but it is most often decided by the relations between the profession and the state. The critical factor affecting the status of the medical profession is the span of its control on medical related areas. Therefore, the status of doctors depends on the degree of institutionalization and the span of their control. The status of Korean Oriental Medicine doctors has been largely affected by the governments medical policies. The dramatic change of the status of Korean Oriental Medicine in modern Korea dearly shows the effects of medical policy on the status of a medical system. Under the plural medical system every medical group lobbies for more favorable medical policies. Korean Oriental Medicine doctors have secured an enhanced status in government and expanded the range of medical insurance coverage. Also, they have accomplished the standardization of knowledge in their efforts to expand it. These achievements are the most important aspects of the professionalization of Korean Oriental Medicine. Therefore, we can conclude that the conflicts between Korean Oriental Medicine doctors and government representatives have had significantly positive effects on the professionalization of Korean Oriental Medicine.
