Editing Universal Medicine (section)

=== Australian medical authorities and Samuel Kim ===

Following an investigation by the NSW Medical Council in 2017 a Universal Medicine advocate and affiliated doctor, Samuel Tae-Kyu Kim, was reprimanded for referring a patient for esoteric lung massage and chakra puncture: "knowing there was insufficient evidence for their efficacy as treatments for Patient A's lung condition".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.northernstar.com.au/news/doctor-found-guilty-over-referrals/3184226/ |title=Doctor found guilty over referrals |last=Adams |first=Cathy |date=31 May 2017 |work=Northern Star |publisher=News Corp |location=NSW}}</ref> The physician, whose clinic is located in the Universal Medicine Clinic in Goonellabah, claimed chakra puncture is an "internationally recognised therapy", however only practised by Universal Medicine. The Council heard evidence from a Senior Specialist and thoracic physician, who stated:

:Universal Medicine "affects an attitude which conventional medicine abandoned in the 19th century and this heightens the need to clearly distinguish for patients the difference between conventional medicine and Universal Medicine. Particularly as it is unclear, given it is a relatively new organisation, how Universal Medicine's training programs are accredited".<ref name=":3">{{cite news |url=https://www.echo.net.au/2017/05/universal-medicine-affiliated-doctor-reprimanded/ |title=Universal Medicine affiliated doctor reprimanded |last1=Dobney |first1=Chris |date=30 May 2017 |work=Echonetdaily |location=Byron Bay NSW}}</ref>

The HCCC alleged Samuel Kim had withheld conventional therapy and the investigation focused on his referrals to his now wife Jasna Jugovic (esoteric lung massage) and three "Universal Medicine practitioners" Neil Ringe (chakra puncture), Serge Benhayon (spiritual healing) and Michael Serafin (non-medically trained pharmacist).<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/Publications/Media-releases/2017/Dr-Samuel-Tae-Kyu-Kim---Unsatisfactory-professional-conduct |title=Dr Samuel Tae-Kyu Kim – Unsatisfactory professional conduct |last=HCCC |date=9 May 2017 |website=HCCC |archive-date=28 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170728035528/http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/Publications/Media-releases/2017/Dr-Samuel-Tae-Kyu-Kim---Unsatisfactory-professional-conduct}}</ref><ref name=":31">{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2017/may/31/doctor-rebuked-over-spiritual-healing-group-touting-esoteric-breast-massage |title=Doctor rebuked over 'spiritual healing' group touting 'esoteric breast massage' |last=Robertson |first=Joshua |date=31 May 2017 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> The investigating committee found Kim to lack contrition, and at times to be an unreliable witness and his evidence to be contradictory.<ref name=":0"/> Following the enquiry, the [[Health Care Complaints Commission|HCCC]] found 5 out of 6 allegations against Kim proven, him "guilty of unsatisfactory professional conduct" (which he admits to), and concluded by placing permanent restrictions upon his practice.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=http://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/250/Decision%20-%20KIM%20Samuel%20Tae-Kyu%20-%20PSC%20-%208%20May%202017.pdf.aspx |title=PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS COMMITTEE INQUIRY. Samuel Tae-Kyu Kim |last=NSW Medical Council |date=20 March 2017 |website=HCCC |archive-date=23 June 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170623151222/https://www.hccc.nsw.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/250/Decision%20-%20KIM%20Samuel%20Tae-Kyu%20-%20PSC%20-%208%20May%202017.pdf.aspx}}</ref>

Kim stood down from the [[Australian Medical Association]] Queensland council in May 2018 after ABC News investigated a second case of professional misconduct where he had shared the entire medical and medication records of a patient with Serge Benhayon without the patient's knowledge. The patient had criticised Universal Medicine in the media and Kim claims he obtained the patient's verbal consent. The NSW Privacy Commissioner disagreed and found Kim had breached Health Privacy Principles, violated the patients privacy and its report said it was "unclear ... why it was necessary for Kim to provide such a summary of what appears to be Mr Martin's entire medical history to Mr Benhayon". Shaun Rudd, the AMA Queensland chairman, said the council had "a robust conflict of interest policy and AMA Queensland has full confidence in Kim's ability to serve as a councillor".<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |url=https://thelimbic.com/respiratory/thoracic-physician-stands-down-in-dispute-over-links-to-esoteric-group/ |title=Thoracic physician stands down in dispute over 'esoteric' group |last=Hoffman |first=Tessa |date=3 May 2018 |work=The Limbic |publisher=thelimbic.com |url-access=registration}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite news |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/doctor-gave-patient-medical-history-to-universal-medicine/9710412 |title='Doctor who gave patient medical history to Universal Medicine 'cult' stands down from AMA |last=Robertson |first=Josh |date=2 May 2018 |work=ABC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180503210212/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-05-02/doctor-gave-patient-medical-history-to-universal-medicine/9710412 |archive-date=3 May 2018 |url-status=live |location=Australia}}
* {{cite AV media |title='Cult' leader given patient's entire medical history by doctor |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFLVBX4TSz4 |publisher=ABC News |location=Australia |via=YouTube}}</ref> Kim stated that he was a 'student' of Universal Medicine and an honorary advisor at Benhayon's College of Universal Medicine, but had no financial interests in the organisation.<ref name=":6"/>