• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.163-193
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• 1997

Medical services are a fundamental and essential service in all urban areas. The location and accessibility of medical service facilities and institutions are critical to the diagnosis, control and prevention of illness and disease. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study on the location of medical facilities in Kwangju and the utilization of these facilities by the inhabitants. The following information is a summary of the findings: (1) Korea, like many countries, is now witnessing an increase in the age of its population as a result of higher living standards and better medical services. Korea is also experiencing a rapid increase in health care costs. To ensure easy access to medical consultation, diagnosis and treatment by individuals, the hierarchical efficient location of medical facilities, low medical costs, equalized medical services, preventive medical care is important. (2) In Korea, the quality of medical services has improved significantly as evident by the increased number of medical facilities and medical personnel. However, there is still a need for not only quantitative improvements but also for a more equitable distribution of and location of medical services. (3) There are 503 medical facilities in Kwangju each with a need to service 2,556 people. This is below the national average of 1,498 inhabitants per facility. The higher locational quotient and satisfactory population per medical facility showed at the civic center. On the other hand, problem regions such as the traditional residential area in Buk-Gu, Moo-deung mountain area and the outer areas of west Kwangju still maintain rural characteristics. (4) In the study area there are 86 general medicine clinics which provide basic medical services. i. e. one clinic per every 14,949 residents. As a basic service, its higher locational quotient showed in the residential area. The lower population concentration per clinic was found in the civic center and in the former town center, Songjeong-dong. In recently build residential areas and in the civic center, the lack of general medicine clinics is not a serious medical services issue because of the surplus of medical specialists in Korea. People are inclined to seek a consultation with a specialist in specific fields rather than consult a general practitioner. As a result of this phenomenon, there are 81 internal medicine facilities. Of these, 32.1% provide services to people who are not referred by a primary care physician but who self-diagnose then choose a medical facility specializing in what they believe to be their health problem. Areas in the city, called dongs, without any internal facilities make up 50% of the total 101 dongs. (5) There are 78 surgical facilities within the area, and there is little difference at the locational appearance from internal medicine facilities. There are also 71 pediatric health clinics for people under 15 years of age in this area, represents one clinic per 5,063 people. On the quantitative aspect, this is a positive situation. Accessibility is the most important facility choice factor, so it should be evenly located in proportion to demander distribution. However, 61% of 102 dongs have no pediatric clinics because of the uneven location. (6) There are 43 obstetrical and gynecological clinics in Kwangju, and the number of residents being served per clinic is 15,063. These services need to be given regularly so it should increase the numbers. There are 37 ENT clinics in the study area with the lower concentration in Dong-gu (32.4%) making no locational differences by dong. There are 23 dermatology clinics with the largest concentration in Dong-Gu. There are 17 ophthalmic clinics concentrated in the residential area because of the primary function of this type of specialization. (7) The use of general medicine clinics, internal medicine clinics, pediatric clinics, ENT clinics by the inhabitants indicate a trend toward primary or routine medical services. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics are used on a regular basis. In choosing a general medicine clinic, internal medicine clinic, pediatric clinic, and a ENT clinic, accessibility is the key factor while choice of a general hospital, surgery clinic, or an obstetrics and gynecology clinic, thes faith and trust in the medical practitioner is the priority consideration. (8) I considered the efficient use of medical facilities in the aspect of locational and management and suggest the following: First, primary care facilities should be evenly distributed in every area. In Kwangju, the number of medical facilities is the lowest among the six largest cities in Korea. Moreover, they are concentrated in Dong-gu and in newly developed areas. The desired number of medical facilities should be within 30 minutes of each person's home. For regional development there is a need to develop a plan to balance, for example, taxes and funds supporting personnel, equipment and facilities. Secondly, medical services should be co-ordinated to ensure consistent, appropriate, quality services. Primary medical facilities should take charge of out-patient activities, and every effort should be made to standardize and equalize equipment and facility resources and to ensure ongoing development and training in the primary services field. A few specialty medical facilities and general hospitals should establish a priority service for incurable and terminally ill patients. (9) The management scheme for the inhabitants' efficient use of medical service is as follows: The first task is to efficiently manage medical facilities and related services. Higher quality of medical services can be accomplished within the rapidly changing medical environment. A network of social, administrative and medical organizations within an area should be established to promote information gathering and sharing strategies to better assist the community. Statistics and trends on the rate or occurrence of diseases, births, deaths, medical and environment conditions of the poor or estranged people should be maintained and monitored. The second task is to increase resources in the area of disease prevention and health promotion. Currently the focus is on the treatment and care of individuals with illness or disease. A strong emphasis should also be placed on promoting prevention of illness and injury within the community through not only public health offices but also via medical service facilities. Home medical care should be established and medical testing centers should be located as an ordinary service level. Also, reduced medical costs for the physically handicapped, cardiac patients, and mentally ill or handicapped patients should be considered.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.65-82
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• 2008

Statement of problem : Today's market economy has been changed more and more to consumer concerned. It is owing to not only consumers ' rising standard of living and education, but also purchasers' easy accessibilities to products through various mass media. The consumer centered market system, where customer can choose items with diverse alternatives to satisfy their self esteem, is also applied to the field of medical business, and accelerated by an increasing income level of shoppers and introducing the whole nations' medical insurance system. Today, the medical industry has become competitive due to increasing number of medical institutions and medical personnel, and this offers wide choices to consumers in the medical market place. At this point of time, it is essential to survey on the primary factor of gratification for the patient in the Dental clinic, as well as on the problems and suggestions in medical service. Purpose : The analysis in this study shows essential factors and expected influential elements in satisfaction of the patient in the Dental Hopsital, and strategic suggestions for the provider of dental service, which can be of benefit to the prospective customer as well as can make improvement in the quality of dental treatment service. Material and method : This study had been researched by collecting and analyzing the organized questionnaires, which were filled in directly from 784 patients, who visit Dental Hospital, Yonsei University in Seoul, from January 23rd to April 15th. Result : It can be summarized like the followings. 1. The social and demographical peculiarities of respondents are as follows. Samples of gender and marital status are adequately extracted, but data on occupation and treatment are are under a bias toward students, undergraduates and graduate students, and orthodontics. 2. 74% of patients who answer the questionnaire were highly satisfied with the service of dental clinic in the section of overall satisfaction. 3. The survey result about specific service of dental treatment, within sections of independent variables, is like the followings; Patients are highly gratified with service system, kindness, explanation, explanation on expected waiting hours, reservation system, emergency measures, expert treatment, existence of knowledge of dentistry, size of hospital, disinfection, equipment and parking, but lowly satisfied with expense of treatment, preparatory hours for treatment, waiting hours, treatment hours and the period of subscription. 4. The correlation analysis showed that there is no significant linear relationship between the independent variables. 5. The probit regression analysis showed that 8 out of 34 independent variables explained the dependent variables at the level of 0.01. 6. It shows that 8 independent variables, which can affect customers 'satisfaction, are clearing up of inconvenience, service system, kindness, explanation, treatment hours per attendance, reservation system, existence of knowledge of dentistry, and contentment of equipment in the hospital. Conclusion : The consumer's satisfaction totally relies on subjective evaluations of customers. Providing appropriate service, which can meet the criteria for the customer who demands various wares, pursues luxury goods, and expects high quality of medical service, is essential to fulfill patients' satisfaction. Many medical institutions do their best to satisfy their customer, touch their consumer, and offer patience centered services, and it is also applied to the field of dentistry. Establishing brand new strategic managements and elevating the quality of dental service based on this survey are required to improve the satisfaction of patience in the Dental Hospital.

• The Journal of Korean Academy of Prosthodontics
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.287-297
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the impacts of infection control education on dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors. Materials and methods: Study participants were chosen by random selection among dental hygienists working in Seoul, Korea. A total of 150 questionnaires were sent out for the survey from April 2013 to May 2013, of which 140-excluding incomplete responses-were used for the study. Chi-square tests and t-tests were used (SPSS 19.0), and post-hoc analysis was performed as well. The maximum significance level was 0.05. Results: Average 1.53 times infection control education was taken, but dental hygienists' perceptions for hepatitis B and their behaviors did not show statistical differences whether the education was done or not. Practices to prevent infection showed differences depending on categories, especially disinfection and sterilization were well performed by educated group. The most common reasons for not taking the education and noncompliance with infection prevention guidelines are lack of time and opportunity due to busy schedule. Conclusion: 1. The more highly educated, the greater number of patients per day, and the greater size of hospitals, the better infection control education was conducted. 2. Although hepatitis B is one of the most common chronic liver diseases in Korea, no significant correlation between perceptions of hepatitis B and infection control education was found. 3. Dental hygienists who received infection control education performed more efficient practices for protection against infections than those who did not.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.207-212
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• 2006

In parallel with social and economic progress, motives of patients to consult dentists have increased and diversified. An increasing number of people visit dental clinics to improve their facial appearance and masticating functions deteriorated largely due to malocclusion. There is also greater interest in and concern as well as demand for teeth alignment treatment among people. Under this situation, it is required to find and suggest ways to enhance quality and profitability of dental care in view of managerial needs for dentists to cope with changing circumstances. This study, thus, aims to measure satisfactions of orthodontics patients and to determine the elements influencing their satisfactions. For this aim, a survey was performed for 20 days from March 7th to 26th, 2005 by means of questionnaires distributed to randomly selected samples, resulting in following conclusions: 1. From comparison of satisfactions with dental service by their elements, higher satisfaction was reported from orthodontics patients in the element of dental hygienists(4.21). Least satisfaction, however, was found in the procedure for treatment and waiting hours(3.73). 2. By gender, male orthodontics patients turned out to be more satisfactory with dental service than females. In terms of intention for return visits, both male and female orthodontics patients showed higher satisfaction than non-orthodontics ones. 3. As for satisfaction with dental service by age of orthodontics and non-orthodontics patients, with regard to intention for return visit, orthodontics patients of all ages showed to have higher grade of satisfaction. 4. Regarding satisfaction with dental treatment by orthodontics and non-orthodontics patients by monthly income, Dental hygienist with intention for return visit, the higher the satisfaction of orthodontics patients. 5. In regard to satisfaction with dental treatment by education, higher satisfaction was expressed by orthodontics patients with elementary school education kept dentist, dental hygienist and internal and external environments. As a result from this study, we knew that dental service of the orthodontics patients is higher satisfaction than that of the non-orthodontics patients.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.83-88
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• 2005

In spite of relatively low level of radiation dose used at dental clinics, long term exposure may be harmful, so radiation workers at dental clinics must be well aware of its danger. This study was radiation safety management by dental hygienists in order to take preventive measures for dental hygienists and suggest ideas to develop radiation safety training programs. For this, we contacted dental hygienists working at the local dental clinics for 4 months from December of 2003 to march of 2004 and obtained the following findings. 1. Regarding the intraoral radiographic method, the average daily photographing frequency of standard films stood at one to five pieces (47.5%), and the average weekly photographing frequency of digital radiation medicine stood at less than one piece (69.8%), and the average weekly photographing frequency of bitewing films stood at less than one piece (67.7%), and and the average weekly photographing frequency of occlusal films stood at less than one piece (95.5%), and the dentistries whose average weekly photographing frequency of pediatric films stood at one to five pieces accounted for 47.1 percent. 2. Regarding the extraoral radiographic method, the average weekly photographing frequency of panorama film stood at one to five pieces (63.7%), and less than one piece (20.9%), the average weekly photographing frequency of cephalometric film stood at less than one piece (72.3%), and one to five pieces (20.1%). 3. Concerning the radiation safety management training program, only 18.7% of total 278 surveyed attended the training progra., Attendance tendency of the training program by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to age (p<0.01), working experience (p<0.001), and marital status (p<0.01). 4. When asked about the protective equipments against radiation exposure, 40.6% of them said "modest", and 71.1% appeared equipped with led apron as a protective tool.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.105-112
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• 2005

In spite of relatively low level of radiation dose used at dental clinics, long term exposure may be harmful, so radiation workers at dental clinics must be well aware of its danger. This study was to analyze the factors to have an influence on safety management behavior in the radiography chamber by understanding the relationship among the knowledge, attitudes and behavior in regard with radiation safety management by dental hygienists in order to take preventive measures for dental hygienists and suggest ideas to develop radiation safety training programs. For this, we contacted dental hygienists working at the local dental clinics for 4 months from December of 2003 to march of 2004 and obtained the following findings. 1. Concering the knowledge level of radiation safety management, $8.59{\pm}2.36$ was average score with the highest of 13 and the lowest of 3 from 15-scale test. In addition, knowledge level of radiation safety management by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to working experience (p < 0.001), marital status (p < 0.001), attendance rate of radiation safety management training program (p < 0.001), and type of clinic (p < 0.001). 2. Concering the attitude level of radiation safety management, $4.08{\pm}0.50$ is average score with the highest of $4.31{\pm}0.73$ and the lowest of $3.82{\pm}0.89$ by item from 5-scale test. Besides, attitude level of radiation safety management by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to age (p < 0.001), working experience (p < 0.05), attendance rate of radiation safety management training program (p < 0.01), and type of clinic (p < 0.001). 3. Concering the behavior level of radiation safety management, $2.89{\pm}0.77$ is average score from 5-scale test, which was relatively low in comparison with the level of attitude and the highest score was $3.82{\pm}0.94$ and the lowest $2.37{\pm}1.04$ by item. Behavior level of radiation safety management by general characteristics showed statistically significant difference according to working experience (p < 0.001) and type of clinic (p < 0.001). 4. From the survey of relationship among knowledge, attitude and behavior of radiation safety management was, we found that the higher the knowledge level of radiation safety management, the higher the level of attitude and behavior, and the higher the attitude level was, the higher the level of behavior.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2013

This study investigated the safety management behavior of dental professionals to minimize exposure to harmful elements of amalgam and resin. As for the use of amalgam and resin, 85.8% of them used amalgam. 100% of used composite resin 100%. 97.8% used acryl resin, and 95.7% used tray resin. 95.2% and 36.5% of them were aware of the harm of amalgam and resin respectively. When using resin, their safety management behavior score was 1.99 on average, and the lowest score was 2.50 on average for 'ventilate the indoor air when handling resin'. Their average score of the safety management behavior was 1.83 when using amalgam. The lowest score was 2.89 on average for 'use the rubber dam for patients when handling amalgam'. As a result of the safety management behavior based on general characteristics, all characteristics were significant with regard to amalgam, and my position at work and work experience were significant with regard to resin (p<0.05). The correlation between the safety management behavior and general characteristics was analyzed when dental amalgam and resin are used. Amalgam was statistically correlated with academic background (p<0.05) and position at work (p<0.05), whereas resin was statistically significantly correlated with age (p<0.05) and position at work (p<0.05). Accordingly, education about the harm of dental materials must be continuously provided for dental professionals when they handle dental materials so that safety management behavior will be conducted correctly, and active efforts to protect the health of dental professionals from harmful chemicals must be made.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.167-173
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• 2003

Purpose: To find out the differences in eating habits between poor feeding and non-poor feeding children. Methods: We performed questionnaires on 504 children under four years of age who visited hospitals in Gwangju city and JaollaNamdo from May to August, 2002. Results: 138 (27.4%) children were included in poor feeding group, and 366 (72.%) children were in non-poor feeding group. Breast feeding rate was 18.8% in the poor feeding group and 20.3% in the non-poor feeding group. Duration of breast feeding for less than six months were noted in 70.5% of poor feeding group, and 58.5% of non-poor feeding group. The time at starting solid food in the poor feeding group was as follows; 15.9% of infants started on solid food when they were 2~4 months old, 32.7% during 4~6 months, 38.1% during 6~8 months and 18.8% over one year of age. Solid food was given in wrongly manners in both groups by nursing bottles, including 80.4% in poor feeding group and 66.6% in non-poor feeding group. Conclusion: This study demonstrated close relationships among poor feeding children under four years of age with history of low rate and short duration of breast feeding, inappropriate time to start on solid food, less interest in food during mealtime, and unbalanced diet. Pediatricians should make an effort to play an important role in nutritional education and treatment in children.

• The Korean Journal of Blood Transfusion
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.253-261
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• 2018

Background: A massive blood transfusion (MT) requires significant efforts by the Blood Bank. This study examined blood product use in MT and emergency O Rh Positive red cells (O RBCs) available directly for emergency patients from the Trauma Center in Ajou University Hospital. Methods: MT was defined as a transfusion of 10 or more RBCs within 24 hours. The extracted data for the total RBCs, fresh frozen plasma (FFP), platelets (PLTs, single donor platelets (SDP) and random platelet concentrates (PC)) issued from Blood Bank between March 2016 and November 2017 from Hospital Information System were reviewed. SDP was considered equivalent to 6 units of PC. Results: A total of 345 MTs, and 6233/53268 (11.7%) RBCs, 4717/19376 (24.3%) FFP, and 4473/94166 (4.8%) PLTs were used in MT (P<0.001). For the RBC products in MT and non-MT transfusions, 28.0% and 34.1% were group A; 27.1% and 26.0% were group B; 37.3% and 29.7% were group O, and 7.5% and 10.2% were group AB (P<0.001). The ratios of RBC:FFP:PLT use were 1:0.76:0.72 in MT and 1:0.31:1.91 in non-MT (P<0.001). A total of 461 O RBCs were used in 36.2% (125/345) of MT cases and the number of O RBCs transfused per patient ranged from 1 to 18. Conclusion: RBCs with the O blood group are most used for MT. Ongoing education of clinicians to minimize the overuse of emergency O RBCs in MT is required. A procedure to have thawed plasma readily available in MT appears to be of importance because FFP was used frequently in MT.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.56-66
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• 2020

Objectives: In this study, the clinical characteristics of OSA patients and the quality of life before and after CPAP use were compared to determine the degree of improvement in quality of life according to CPAP use. Methods: Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, Epworth Sleepiness Scale, Modified Mallampatti Score, Montreal Cognitive Assessment-Korean, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index were compared between men and women through medical records. To understand the degree of improvement in quality of life resulting from use of CPAP, a personal telephone call was made to compare the VAS scores for quality of life before and after CPAP use. Results: In height (HT) (Z = -4.525, p < 0.001), weight (BW) (Z = -2.844, p < 0.05), sleep quality (PSQI) (Z = -2.671, p < 0.05), and arousal index (AI) (Z = -2.105, p < 0.05), there was a difference between men and women (p < 0.05). There was no difference in the remaining variables. Cross-analysis (Chi-square test) confirmed a difference between severity and sex of OSA. It has been found that there is no statistically significant order in size according to level-specific severity of OSA for PreCPAP QOL, PostCPAP QOL, CPAPUse Months, and CPAP4Hr/d (%) (p > 0.05). The difference between AHI before and after CPAP was 36.48 ± 21.54 (t = 11.609, p < 0.001) and the difference between QOL before and after CPAP was -25.43 ± 22.06 (t = -7.901, p < 0.001), both of which were significant (p < 0.001). Conclusion: Among OSA patients, there were differences in height (HT), weight (BW), sleep quality (PSQI), arousal index (AI), and severity of OSA between men and women, but the quality of life before and after CPAP was different. However, there was no difference between men and women in quality of life before and after CPAP. In addition, quality of life in OSA patients improved after using CPAP.