• Title/Summary/Keyword: Consumer Health

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Structural Relationships Among Factors to Adoption of Telehealth Service (원격의료서비스 수용요인의 구조적 관계 실증연구)

  • Kim, Sung-Soo;Ryu, See-Won
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.71-96
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    • 2011
  • Within the traditional medical delivery system, patients residing in medically vulnerable areas, those with body movement difficulties, and nursing facility residents have had limited access to good healthcare services. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides us with a convenient and useful means of overcoming distance and time constraints. ICT is integrated with biomedical science and technology in a way that offers a new high-quality medical service. As a result, rapid technological advancement is expected to play a pivotal role bringing about innovation in a wide range of medical service areas, such as medical management, testing, diagnosis, and treatment; offering new and improved healthcare services; and effecting dramatic changes in current medical services. The increase in aging population and chronic diseases has caused an increase in medical expenses. In response to the increasing demand for efficient healthcare services, a telehealth service based on ICT is being emphasized on a global level. Telehealth services have been implemented especially in pilot projects and system development and technological research. With the service about to be implemented in earnest, it is necessary to study its overall acceptance by consumers, which is expected to contribute to the development and activation of a variety of services. In this sense, the study aims at positively examining the structural relationship among the acceptance factors for telehealth services based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were collected by showing audiovisual material on telehealth services to online panels and requesting them to respond to a structured questionnaire sheet, which is known as the information acceleration method. Among the 1,165 adult respondents, 608 valid samples were finally chosen, while the remaining were excluded because of incomplete answers or allotted time overrun. In order to test the reliability and validity of the assessment scale items, we carried out reliability and factor analyses, and in order to explore the causal relation among potential variables, we conducted a structural equation modeling analysis using AMOS 7.0 and SPSS 17.0. The research outcomes are as follows. First, service quality, innovativeness of medical technology, and social influence were shown to affect perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the telehealth service, which was statistically significant, and the two factors had a positive impact on willingness to accept the telehealth service. In addition, social influence had a direct, significant effect on intention to use, which is paralleled by the TAM used in previous research on technology acceptance. This shows that the research model proposed in the study effectively explains the acceptance of the telehealth service. Second, the research model reveals that information privacy concerns had a insignificant impact on perceived ease of use of the telehealth service. From this, it can be gathered that the concerns over information protection and security are reduced further due to advancements in information technology compared to the initial period in the information technology industry, and thus the improvement in quality of medical services appeared to ensure that information privacy concerns did not act as a prohibiting factor in the acceptance of the telehealth service. Thus, if other factors have an enormous impact on ease of use and usefulness, concerns over these results in the initial period of technology acceptance may become irrelevant. However, it is clear that users' information privacy concerns, as other studies have revealed, is a major factor affecting technology acceptance. Thus, caution must be exercised while interpreting the result, and further study is required on the issue. Numerous information technologies with outstanding performance and innovativeness often attract few consumers. A revised bill for those urgently in need of telehealth services is about to be approved in the national assembly. As telemedicine is implemented between doctors and patients, a wide range of systems that will improve the quality of healthcare services will be designed. In this sense, the study on the consumer acceptance of telehealth services is meaningful and offers strong academic evidence. Based on the implications, it can be expected to contribute to the activation of telehealth services. Further study is needed to assess the acceptance factors for telehealth services, such as motivation to remain healthy, health care involvement, knowledge on health, and control of health-related behavior, in order to develop unique services according to the categorization of customers based on health factors. In addition, further study may focus on various theoretical cognitive behavior models other than the TAM, such as the health belief model.

The Adaptation of Ginseng Production of Semi-arid Environments The Example of British Columbia, Canada

  • Bailey, W.G.
    • Proceedings of the Ginseng society Conference
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    • 1990.06a
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    • pp.155-167
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    • 1990
  • Ginseng Is renowned for both its medicinal and herbal uses and successful cultivation of Panax ginseng in Asia and Panax quinquefolium in North America has until recently taken place in the native geographical ranges of the plants. As a consequence of the potential high capital return and anticipated increases in consumer consumption, commercial cultivation of American ginseng now occurs well outside the native range of the plant in North America. In fact, the region of greatest expansion of cultivation is in the semi-arid interior region of British Columbia, Canada. Linked with this expansion is the potential domination of the ginseng industry by agricultural corporations. In the interior of British Columbia, the native deciduous forest environment of eastern North America is simulated with elevated polypropylene shade and a surface covering of straw mulch. The architecture of these environments is designed to permit maximum machinery usage and to minimize labor requirements. Further, with only a four- years growth cycle, plant densities in the gardens are high. In this hot, semi-arid environment, producers believe they have a competitive advantage over other regions in North America because of the low precipitation rates. This helps to minimize atmospheric humidity such that the conditions for fungal disease development are reduced. If soil moisture level become limited, supplemental water can be provided by irrigation. The nature of the radiation and energy balance regimes of the shade and many environments promotes high soil moisture levels. Also, the modified environment redlines soil heating. This can result in an aerial environment for the plant that is stressful and a rooting zone environment that is suloptimal. The challenge of further refining the man modified environment for enhanced plant growth and health still remains. Keywords Panax ginseng, Panax quinquefolium, cultivation, ginseng production.

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The Differences in Household Economic Structure between Low-Fertility and Birth-Planned Households (저출산 가계와 출산계획 있는 가계의 경제구조 비교 분석)

  • Cha Kyung-Wook
    • Journal of Families and Better Life
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    • v.23 no.2 s.74
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    • pp.137-148
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    • 2005
  • This study compared one-child households' economic structures between those who determined not to have more children and those who have a birth plan. This study examined the demographic characteristics and economic variables such as income, consumption expenditures, assets. debt, and a subjective evaluation of future economic status. Especially, it compared the effects of socioeconomic variables on expenditures on a child between low-fertility and birth-planned households. From a questionnaire completed by a husband or wife of one-child households, 154 low-fertility households and 201 birth-planned households were obtained. A t-test, chi-square test, multiple regression analysis and a dummy variable interaction technique were used. The findings of this study are as follows: First, low-fertility households were older, had higher income, and had more educated, employed wives. Their marital duration was longer, and their child was older than those of birth-planned households. Second, low-fertility households had higher consumption expenditures than did birth-planned households. Especially, expenditures of apparel and shoes, health care, education, and entertainment were significantly higher for low-fertility households. Also, low-fertility households spent more than did birth-planned households on a child. However, low-fertility households had significantly more debt than did their counterparts, and their expectation level of future economic status were lower than that of birth-planned households. Third, the effects of socioeconomic variables on expenditures on a child were different between low-fertility and birth-planned households. Age, education level, husband's occupation, wife's employment status, income, net asset, and subjective evaluation of future economic status showed significant differences. Income elasticity of expenditure on a child was significantly higher for low-fertility households than their counterparts.

Differences between Male and Female in Moving Motivation and Life Satisfaction of Senior Cohousing Residents in Scandinavia (스칸디나비아 노인용 코하우징 주민의 이주동기와 생활만족도의 성별 차이)

  • Choi Jung-Shin;Cho Jae-Soon
    • Journal of Families and Better Life
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    • v.24 no.1 s.79
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    • pp.117-128
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    • 2006
  • The purpose of this research was to find out the differences in the moving motivation and life satisfaction of senior cohousing communities between male and female residents in Scandinavia, especially in Sweden and Denmark. Senior cohousing is an attractive housing alternative for the aged 55 and over who looks for sharing one's life with neighbors. The 655 survey questionnaires out of 960 had replied from 14 Seniorbofrellesskaber in Denmark and 11 seniorhus within SABO sector and 8 housing cooperatives initiated by the Seniorgarden Housing Company in Sweden during April to May, 2002. The data were analyzed by SPSS win program, using frequencies, percentiles, cross-tabulations, and Pearson's correlations. The results showed that the senior cohousing residents were generally healthy and age of 70's years old and nearly half lived with a spouse. The male residents lived with a spouse about 2 times more than did the female. The residents had very strong motivation to move into the community and very high life satisfaction. Most aspects of moving motivation were not differed by the sex of the residents. However, male residents were more likely than female to be motivated to move in by becoming a pensioner, while female residents were more likely than male to be motivated by being a widow, looking for safety, or avoiding loneliness. These different motivation to move in by sex become more clear when general characteristics such as age, health status, living with or without a spouse, or country were controlled. Female residents were more likely than male to live' dream life' in the senior cohousing community. The stronger the moving motivation, the higher the life satisfaction in the community.

Advanced Practice Nurse System and Unlicensed Medical Practice (전문간호사 제도와 무면허 의료행위 - 대법원 2010.3.25. 선고, 2008도590 판결 중심으로 -)

  • Kim, Kyoung-Reay
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.11 no.1
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    • pp.173-198
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    • 2010
  • There is a system in Korea named "Advanced Practice Nurse System" qualified by the Minister of Health, Welfare and Family Affairs for Advanced Practice Nurse besides nurse licence. Medical practice is, in today's medical law, understood as a general concept colligating medical practice, nursing practice and midwife practice and so on, for it is defined as a deed of medical technique practiced by medical personnel. Referring to the fact that the Supreme Court recognizes medical personnel as people who have medical expert knowledge, nursing practice can be recognized as a region of medical business and therefore it is not necessary to prescribe nursing practice separately from the definition of medical practice on a precedent, because nurse belongs to medical personnel. According to the precedent regarding 'Unlicensed Medical Practice of Advanced Practice Nurse for Anesthesia' recently sentenced by the Supreme Court, the medical practice is only allowed a doctor because it is 'in need of special knowledge and experience because of high danger on human body' and it is judged to be an unlicensed medical practice prohibited in medical law if it is to be done by a nurse. When considering the actual situation that System for Advanced Practice Nurse for Anesthesia is established under the circumstance that an anesthetist is in want and therefore the operation has not been performed on time, and that it is being expected an anesthetist to be in need, it is necessary to legislate for the range of medical practice of Advanced Practice Nurse so that Advanced Practice Nurse System can be practically legalized, for the role of Advanced Practice Nurse has the great possibility of shrinking because the precedent has considered Advanced Practice Nurse for Anesthesia doing anesthetic operation in clinic today as a potential wrongdoer.

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A Survey on the Intake Pattern and Consumption Propensity of Milk by Preschool Children in the Bucheon Area (부천 지역 유아의 우유 섭취 실태와 소비 성향에 관한 조사)

  • Cho, Shin-Ho;Bae, Mi-Ae;Kim, Han-Na;Kim, Won-Ju;Park, Min-Seong;Yoon, Hye-Young;Lee, Hyun-Sun;Oh, Su-Jung;Park, So-Hyun
    • The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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    • v.24 no.4
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    • pp.607-616
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    • 2011
  • We identified the intake pattern and consumption propensity of milk and sought improvements to promote consumption of milk. We targeted 362 preschool children aged 5~7 years old who attended nursery school in the Bucheon area. Questionnaires were distributed and 328 questionnaires were collected. Approximately 36.2% of boys and 31.2% of gorls drank milk six times per week. A total of 32.9% of the preschool children drank more than 2 cups of milk/day. Approximately 72.9% of them currently drink white milk, and 46.0% preferred milk to processed milk. The reasons why they drink milk included 'want to be tall'(66.5%) and 'good health'(52.4%). Mothers(54.6%)and preschool children(39.3%) were the purchasers with the greatest impact on product purchases. Consumer propensity to buy milk was shown in the order of expiration date(4.80 points), and nutrition facts(4.01 points). (4.88 points) and enhanced nutrients(4.59 points) should be promoted for milk consumption. Therefore, it is thought that continuous nutrition education should be made together in order to increase consumption of milk of children and education targeting teachers and school parents should be conducted as well. And in order for children to drink milk without repulsion, the development of various products satisfying both symbolic aspects and nutritional aspects should continue to be made.

The Effects of Informatization on the Social Welfare Sector: with a focus on the Integrated Social Welfare Management System (복지부문 정보화의 효과에 대한 시론적 논의 : 사회복지통합관리망을 중심으로)

  • Ham, Young-Jin
    • Journal of Digital Convergence
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    • v.11 no.8
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    • pp.11-21
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    • 2013
  • Integrated Social Welfare Management System is an information system that comprehensively manages information and services regarding diverse welfare benefits provided by the government. It is designed to improve efficiency of social welfare administration and the service delivery system. The system is found to have significantly contributed to efficiency of the welfare delivery system by reducing the workload of public officials who are responsible for welfare administration in local governments and changing the way they work for the better. This study analyzes the costs and benefits of the Integrated Social Welfare Management System and describes what it has achieved for the provider and recipients. The system has enhanced efficiency of the welfare delivery system and enabled case management, the function social welfare public officials are supposed to do. Ultimately, the system will play a key role in building a consumer-centered welfare administration environment in the future.

Development of a Remote Wheelchair Accessibility Assessment System Using Virtualized Reality Technology (가상현실기술을 이용한 원격휠체어접근성평가시스템의 개발)

  • Kim, Jong-Bae
    • 한국HCI학회:학술대회논문집
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    • 2006.02a
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    • pp.33-39
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    • 2006
  • Home modification has come to be recognized as an important intervention strategy to manage health care conditions, maintain or improve functioning, ensure safety, and reduce the wheelchair user's dependency on others. However, the availability of skilled professionals with experience in home modifications for accessibility is limited. A system that enables accurate remote assessments would be an important tool to improve our ability to perform home assessments more easily and at decreased cost. A Remote Wheelchair Accessibility Assessment System (RWAAS) using Virtualized Reality(VR) technology was developed that enabled clinicians to assess the wheelchair accessibility of users' built environments from a remote location. Characteristics of the camera and 3D reconstruction program chosen for the system significantly affect its overall reliability. In this study, we performed two reliability analyses on the hardware and software components: 1) Verification that commercial software can construct sufficiently accurate 3D models by analyzing the accuracy of dimensional measurements in a virtualized environment; 2) comparison of dimensional measurements with four camera settings. Based on these two analyses, we were able to specify a consumer level digital camera and the Photomodeler Pro software for this system. And we then tested the feasibility of the selected software and hardware in an actual environment. Lastly, A field evaluation was performed to test whether this new system is comparable to the traditional method of accessibility assessment to evaluate its ability to assess the accessibility of a wheelchair user's typical built environment. The results of field trials showed high congruence between the assessments by two methods. Findings suggested that the RWAAS assessments have the potential to enable specialists to assess potential accessibility problems in built environments regardless of the location of the client, home, or specialist.

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A Development of Emotional Contents in The Changes of Consumes Environments - Centering on The Aroma Diffuser Using Bernoulli Theory and Buncheong Ceramic - (소비 환경변화의 감성콘텐츠 개발 - 베르누이원리와 분청사기를 이용한 아로마 Diffuser를 중심으로 -)

  • Choi, Hyunchan
    • The Journal of the Convergence on Culture Technology
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    • v.1 no.3
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    • pp.23-30
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    • 2015
  • Aroma therapy was used for religious or healing purpose in the world throughout the history. In these days, numbers of people use aroma therapy for various reasons such as mental health issue. Aroma diffusers are made with various subjects, but most are made with volatilization and candle by using fumigation method. Korea's a grayish-blue-powdered celadon has insignificant position in both traditional and cultural value. Grayish-blue-powdered celadon must constantly develop its style and design and collaborate with modern product to meet the demand of the today's market. In this research, it will find the method to develop an aroma diffuser by using a grayish-blue-powdered celadon to meet consumer's demand. And ultimately, this research will construct a cultural infrastructure based on traditional image and by adding more value on the traditional ceramics market.

Structural Relationships between Lifestyle Attributes, Positive Emotion, and Satisfaction: The Case of University Students Who Visit Coffeehouses (라이프스타일 유형별 특성, 긍정감정, 만족도의 구조적 관계 - 커피전문점 이용 대학생을 중심으로 -)

  • Kwon, Na-Kyung;Lee, Yeon-Jung
    • Culinary science and hospitality research
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.116-129
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    • 2015
  • In order to maximize customer satisfaction and provide differentiated customer-oriented marketing strategies, it is important to understand the essence of consumer behavior and characteristics of their market segmentation. Therefore, this study explored the relationships among five different food-related lifestyle (i.e., health, fashion, taste, economy and safety oriented), positive emotion, and satisfaction. An analysis of 338 samples drawn from college students who visited coffeehouse at least once in the previous months was performed. The results revealed that, taste, economy, and safety oriented lifestyle significantly affected positive emotion, and positive emotion significantly affected satisfaction. The findings highlight the significant role of coffeehouse customer food-related lifestyle toward positive emotion in the formation of satisfaction, and therefore generate theoretical and practical implications for the coffeehouse industry.