• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 1981

To investigate the status of medical accident attack rate and medicare utilization during last 27months from 1st Oct., 1977 to 31st Dec. 1979 in the area under Sam Wha Medicare Insurance Union, the study was carried out through analyzing the medicare records of patients who were enrolled. "The medical accident" in this study was used as the meaning of the state that the people who have been treated morbid condition with insurance money. For the study, 2 doctors and one nurse were mobilized and the results are as follows: 1) The total number of the Medicare Insurance Union members among the 37,044 total population of the study area, (Hea-mi, Unsan, Eumam Myun) were 57, 35 composed of 3,000 males (52.3%) and 27, 35 females (47.7%) in 1977, 3,383 composed of 2,006 males (59.3%) 1,377 females (40.7%) in 1978, 2,573 composed of 1,437 males and 1,336 females (44.2%) in 1979. 2) Total number of medical accident attack cases were 6,774 case (partially overlapped the number of the 1977 with that of the 1978) and average annual medical accident attack rate per 1,000 population was 700.9. 3) Five major disease group in the past three years were disease of the respiratory system (177.7), disease of the digestive system (165.8), disease of the skin and subcutaneous(64.9), symptoms, signs and ill-defined conditions (64.6), any injury and poisoning (51.9). Mental disorders (32.6) was the 6th order disease group. 4) The order of the medical accident attack rate of age group per 1,000 population per year was the year group of 0~4(877.8), 45~64(832.6), 25~44(810.3), 5~14(495.1) 15~24(494.7) 65 and over (460.7). 5) Medical accident attack rate of age group per 1,000 population in the 5 major disease groups were the year group of 45~64 (100.0) in the mental disorders 0~4(525.1) in the disease of the respiratory system 45~64 (328.5) in the disease of the digestive system 0~4 (202.8) in the disease of the skin and subcutanous tissue, 25~44 (98.3) in the accidents and poisoning. 6) Monthly medical accidents attack rate were 87.0 in the winter (Dsc., Jan., Feb.) and 86.2 in the summer (Jun., July, Aug.). So the trend of the medical accidents attack rate during the year was bimount figure. 7) Monthly medical accidents attack rate in the major disease group were highest in Jan., Apr., (31.1) in the disease of the respiratory system, in Jan., Feb., Mar. (24.9) in the disease of the digestive system, in Jan., Jun., Aug. (9.8) in the injury and poisoning. 8) Duration of the treatment of the 93.1% of the total cases were within 5 days. 9) 299 cases (4.5%) of the total number of cases, 6,587 cases were referred to secondary and tertiary medicare facilities. 10) The order of the major 10 kinds of diagnosis of the disease, 6,587 cases during 27 months, were URI and chillness (1,063 cases, 16.1%), gastritis(830 cases, 12. 6%) dermatitis(360 cases, 5.5%), bronchitis(291 cases, 4.4%), neurosis (284 cases, 4.3%), contusion (165 cases, 2.5%), tooth extraction (157 cases, 2.4%), tonsillitis (109 cases, 0.7%), laceration (107 cases, 1.6%), neuralgia (105 cases, 1.6%), arthritis (104 cases, 1.6%), otitis media and mastoiditis (103 cases, 1.6%), so total case were 3,678 cases (55.9%).

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.227-237
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the utilization and its determinants of rehabilitation services of people with disabilities in a rural area. Methods: From March 2 to April 1, 2011, we interviewed 101 disabled people with either physical disabilities or brain lesions. The subjects completed questionnaires about the utilization of rehabilitation services, general characteristics (age, sex, marital status, education level, economic status, health insurance, housing, and employment) and disability characteristics (type, level, comorbidity, reason for the occurrence of the disability, self-rated degree of disability, and daily life care giver). Frequency, Pearson's chi-square test, and a multiple logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results: This study showed that 70.3% of the people in this rural area with disabilities were using rehabilitation services. The two most common reasons for not using the services were "doubt about the effectiveness of the service" and "no facilities nearby." The facilities that the disabled people were currently using, in the order of most used to least, were general hospitals or clinics, rehabilitation centers, oriental medicine clinics, and public health centers. Only 19.7% of those who received rehabilitation responded that they were satisfied with the service. Significant factors in the utilization of rehabilitation services were sex, employment, self-rated economic status, and the reason for the occurrence of the disability. Women, people who were currently working, people who were of middle or higher economic status, or people who had acquired a disability were significantly more likely to use the services. Conclusions: A large number of people with disabilities in a rural area use rehabilitation services at present, but accessibility and satisfaction were low. Quantitatively and qualitatively, rehabilitation services for disabled people in a rural area should be centered around Community-based Rehabilitation (CBR). Effective strategies, for example reaching those who have not used the rehabilitation services, will be needed to improve services in rural areas.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.54-66
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• 2000

Background: Pneumoconiosis, like other chronic respiratory diseases, is essentially incurable and, for many, progressive. While improved survival time is an important aim of treatment, there is growing recognition that for some people, improving the quality of life is more important than extending the length of life. Currently the measurement of the quality of life is used to assess the efficacy of therapeutic agents. Methods: Sixty-three pnemoconiotics who were admitted to St. Mary's Hospital between April and August 1999 were interviewed using COOP charts, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire(CRQ) and Pneumoconiotic Respiratory Questionnaire(PRQ), a newly developed questionnaire concerning clinical and socioeconomic features of pneumoconiotics. Also, ILO classification of the chest film, pulmonary function test, and arterial blood gas analysis of the patients were evaluated. The scores between Industrial Accident Compensation Insurance(IACI) covered and uncovered patients and between clinically stable and unstable patients were compared. Results: Domains of CRQ and PRQ showed a high internal consistency reliability($\alpha$=0.86-0.89, 0.77-0.81) except the dyspnea domain($\alpha$=0.63) of CRQ. The scores on the CRQ and PRQ showed statistically significant correlations with the results of COOP charts, pulmonary function test and arterial blood gas analysis. The dyspnea domain and social activity domain of the PRQ showed significant difference between IACI covered and uncovered patients and between clinically stable and unstable patients. Conclusion : Korean translation of the Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire and the newly developed Pneumoconiotic Respiratory Questionnaire are reliable and valid methods and are likely to be useful in measuring the quality of life in patients with the chronic respiratory disease including pneumoconiosis.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.129-135
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• 2002

Objective : The primary objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of HBsAg-positives in the late 1990's among Korean adults. In addition, we evaluated the association of age, a residential area, a vaccination rate, a family history of chronic liver diseases and a past history of acute liver disease with the seropositivity of HBsAg, and estimated the prevalence of chronic HBV infection by follow-up for 6 month or more. Methods : A total of 10 areas, six metropolitan and four small cities, were selected. In each cities, one health screening center was selected for recruitment of study subjects. The study subjects were enrolled from a general health examination program that is provided by medical insurance companies. Questionnaires on various risk factors were administered to the study subjects. Sera was drawn and tested for HBsAg by radioimmunoassay. HBeAg and ALT were also tested for those of HBsAg positive. The HBsAg positives was retest for HBsAg 6 months later Results : Among the study subjects (n= 1816), the seroprevalence of HBsAg was 5.5% (95% CI=4.5%-6.6%), 7.4% in men (95% CI=5.8-9.4) and 3.6% in women (95% CI=2.5-5.0). A past history of acute liver disease and a family history of chronic liver diseases was shown to be risk factors for HBsAg positivity. Among the 31 HBsAg-positives, negative seroconversion rate was estimated to be 3.2%, Thus, prevalence of chronic HBV infection was estimated to be 5.3% (95% CI=3.7-6.6). Conclusion : In this study, the HBsAg seroprevalence rate was lower than that of the other studies in 1980's, particularly in young adult and women. Considering the public health importance of liver cancer and chronic liver diseases, the further effort is needed to prevent and reduce the HBV infection.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.37-48
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• 2004

Purpose: Population using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) and the cost or it are increasing all over the world. In this study, we investigated the utilization state of CAM in the elderly people during the last 6 months of life. Methods: We found 4,210 persons in Seoul, older than 65 years who received a funeral subsidy from health insurance after death during the latter half of the year, 2001. We stratified them by age and gender and selected 301 persons and surveyed them by questionnaire. Results: 247 persons (83.1%) used at least one of CAM during their last 6 months of life. Diet and Nutrition remedy showed the highest utilatization rate (65.5%), and drug therapies also were much used (29.9%). Utilization rate was higher in female (60%) and according to the cause of death, the highest in a geriatric disease groups, and the lowest in the cancer group. Whole satisfaction to CAM was high with average 4.25 points out of total 6, and adverse effects were almost free with average 5.55 points out of total 6. Satisfaction was the highest in Diet and Nutrition remedy but the lowest in Manipulative and Body-Based methods. Adverse-effect score was best in Manipulative and Body-Based methods. According to age and the causative disease of death, there were significant differences in satisfaction and adverse effect levels. Conclusion: Majority of old people used at least one of CAM during their last 6months of life. Whole satisfaction and adverse-effect level were very excellent.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.218-226
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• 2011

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the public attitude toward the development of national health program for cancer survivorship. Based on the results of this survey suggest the necessity of national health program for cancer survivorship. Methods: We surveyed 1,015 adults who were over 20 years of age from the sixteen cities and local districts of Korea. We conducted a telephone survey with a structured questionnaire on the post-treatment care at the nation and on the permission as the handicapped for cancer. Results: Fifty-six percent of respondents answered that post-treatment program at the national level is very necessary and twenty-seven percent replied that it is necessary. Respondents emphasized 'Expanding insurance coverage for post-treatment care' (29.8%) and 'Systematic education and rehabilitation programs after treatment' (25.6%). This study found that a lower educational level [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.04~1.77], earning under 300 per month [aOR=1.36; 95% CI=1.04~1.77], being married (60.2%) [aOR=1.79; 95% CI=1.34~2.37] and thought higher level of cancer treatment in Korea than the advanced (64.4%) [aOR=1.56; 95% CI=1.15~2.12] influenced the positive attitude toward a national health program. Sixty-eight percent of respondents answered 'Strongly agree' or 'agree' to permission for cancer survivors as the handicapped. People who have been married (72.4%) [aOR=1.89; 95% CI=1.41~2.53] and who have had a lower educational level [aOR=1.35; 95% CI=1.03~1.78] responded that they agree more to permission for cancer survivors as the handicapped. Conclusion: This study shows the positive public attitude of the public toward the national health program for the cancer survivors.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.105-116
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• 2021

Objectives Lumbar herniated intervertebral disc (L-HIVD) is common disease in which Western-Korean collaborative treatment is performed in Korea. This study aimed to analyze Western-Korean collaborative treatment utilization of Korean patients with L-HIVD using Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service's Patients Sample Data. Methods This study used the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS) in 2018. Claim data of L-HIVD patients were extracted. The claim data were rebuilt with the operational concept of 'episode of care' and divided into Korean medicine episode group (KM), Western medicine episode group (WM) and collaborative treatment episode group (CT). General characteristics, medical expenses and healthcare utilization were analyzed. In addition, the difference of average visit day and average medical expenses between non-collaborative group (KM plus WM) and CT were analyzed by the propensity score matching method. Results A Total of 64,333 patients and 365,745 claims were extracted. The number of episodes of WM, KM and CT was 69,383 (92.97%), 3,903 (5.23%), and 1,341 (1.80%) respectively. The frequency of collaborative treatment episode was higher in women and the age of 50s. The most frequently described treatment in CT was acupuncture therapy. As a result of the propensity score matching, the number of visit days and medical expenses in the collaborative treatment group was higher than in the non-collaborative group. Conclusions The analysis of healthcare utilization of Korean-Western collaborative treatment may be used as basic data for establishing medical policies and systematic collaborative treatment model in the future.

• Korea Science and Art Forum
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• v.29
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• pp.319-331
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• 2017

South Korea has entered the age of aging society since the elderly population over 65 reached 13.1% in 2015. This increase rate is the fastest in the OECD members. as a part of the precaution, the Korean government has enforced the long term care insurance from July 2008 and the increase of related nursing homes until 2015 was 220.2% which is rapid and quantitative. It was natural that quantitative expansion leads to qualitative improvement. With regard to service environment conditions, color environment draws attention as one of the most effective measures. color environment supports nursing home's spatial functions and the aged class is subject to the research as the potential customers. This study aims to understand color environment, conduct surveys for color preference and attitude toward color environment, and suggest directions for color environment plan. The ultimate goal is to improve the quality of Korean nursing home environment. It studied definition, state, color environment and space functions of nursing homes as well as the preceding researches. With 100 people over 60s in Busan and Gyeongnam area (52 male and 48 female), the survey examined attitudes for color environment and color preference by space functions in nursing home. The research method is as follows. First, as a result of the consciousness survey on color environment in elderly nursing home, it considers service (37%), medical service (20%), and location (19%) heavily in order. color environment plan is not recognized significantly. However, the need of indoor color plan in the elderly nursing homes has "agree (32%) and "strongly agree (25%), which suggests that color introduction is required to the nursing homes. Second, the indoor coloration for the elderly nursing homes has various color preferences. The color preference order for bedroom was R, P, and G but this order changes in nursing space (program room) to G, R, and Y. The communal space such as lobby prefers R, G and Y in order. R color was preferred in general.

• 한국노년학
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.459-472
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• 2007

This research has its purpose of developing a tool to assess the needs of the Korean elderly at home population and to provide adequate services by evaluating their physical, psychological, and socio-environmental aspects. This developed tool is composed of two hundred questions and has the advantage of combined physical, psychological and social environmental situation assessment of the elderly at home. The tool also contains not only the objective view of the professionals, but also the subjective appeals of the elderly at home population so that it can reflect their substantial desires. The assessment tool was developed over 21 months from July, 2004 to March, 2006 and this period can be divided into three different stages. In the first stage, collecting of questions for the desire-focused assessment of the elderly by literature investigation and researching foreign source materials was carried out, and this ultimately developed assessment tool was applied to the long-term care insurance pilot project in the second stage. In this process, we revised some insufficiencies of this tool after we applied to elderly of 250 from the pilot project and other 200 elderly from this research team. For the last stage, the tool was completed by using inquiries of the focused group and the group of professionals to ensure its reliability and validity. In the process of developing the tool, the total of 200 questions under 13 subcategories was selected. The 13 subcategories are basic information, subjective appeals, information of the main helper, use of services, house environment, condition of health, condition of rehabilitation, daily living(ADL, IADL, defecation, assistance), social maintenance, behavioral disability, medical health, living habits, and strength. This tool is on the purpose to assess thoroughly the desires that the elderly at home population has and to provide the best service they need.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.82 no.3
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• pp.562-574
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• 2021

MRI has the advantages of having excellent soft-tissue contrast and providing functional information without any harmful ionizing radiation. Although previous technical limitations restricted the use of chest MRI, recent technological advances and expansion of insurance coverage are increasing the demand for chest MRI. Recognizing the need for guidelines on appropriate use of chest MRI in Korean clinical settings, the Korean Society of Radiology has composed a development committee, working committee, and advisory committee to develop Korean chest MRI justification guidelines. Five key questions were selected and recommendations have been made with the evidence-based clinical imaging guideline adaptation methodology. Recommendations are as follows. Chest MRI can be considered in the following circumstances: for patients with incidentally found anterior mediastinal masses to exclude non-neoplastic conditions, for pneumoconiosis patients with lung masses to differentiate progressive massive fibrosis from lung cancer, and when invasion of the chest wall, vertebrae, diaphragm, or major vessels by malignant pleural mesothelioma or non-small cell lung cancer is suspected. Chest MRI without contrast enhancement or with minimal dose low-risk contrast media can be considered for pregnant women with suspected pulmonary embolism. Lastly, chest MRI is recommended for patients with pancoast tumors planned for radical surgery.