• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.272-280
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• 2017

Background: The high cost of intrathecal morphine pump (ITMP) implantation may be the main obstacle to its use. Since July 2014, the Korean national health insurance (NHI) program began paying 50% of the ITMP implantation cost in select refractory chronic pain patients. The aims of this study were to investigate the financial break-even point and patients' satisfaction in patients with ITMP treatment after the initiation of the NHI reimbursement. Methods: We collected data retrospectively or via direct phone calls to patients who underwent ITMP implantation at a single university-based tertiary hospital between July 2014 and May 2016. Pain severity, changes in the morphine equivalent daily dosage (MEDD), any adverse events, and patients' satisfaction were determined. We calculated the financial break-even point of ITMP implantation via investigating the patient's actual medical costs and insurance information. Results: During the studied period, 23 patients received ITMP implantation, and 20 patients were included in our study. Scores on an 11-point numeric rating scale (NRS) for pain were significantly reduced compared to the baseline value (P < 0.001). The MEDD before ITMP implantation was 0.59 [IQR: 0.55-0.82]. The total MEDD increased steadily to 0.77 [IQR: 0.53-1.08] at 1 year, which was 126% of the baseline (P < 0.001). More than a half (60%) responded that the ITMP therapy was somewhat satisfying. The financial break-even point was 28 months for ITMP treatment after the NHI reimbursement policy. Conclusions: ITMP provided effective chronic pain management with improved satisfaction and reasonable financial break-even point of 28 months with 50% financial coverage by NHI program.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.585-594
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• 2018

Virtual currencies have emerged along with new technologies such as block chain, artificial intelligence (AI), and big data. This study examines the benefits of a security-enhanced block chain resulting from individual trading, decentralized from governments, as well as the problems associated with misuse of virtual currencies. Virtual currencies, due to its anonymity, is vulnerable to financial crimes, such as ransom-ware, fraud, drug trafficking, tax evasion and money laundering. Use of virtual currencies can facilitate criminals avoid detection from investigative agencies. Government regulatory policy continues to address these concerns, and the virtual currency exchange has also announced a self-regulation proposal. However, a fundamental solution remains necessary. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the problems regarding abuse of virtual currency and to identify a practical system for transactions involving virtual currencies. However, in order to promote transactions involving virtual currencies and to institutionalize a governance system, multilateral cooperation is required. Although the restricting the use of virtual currencies regarding minors and foreign trade, as well as the introduction of a real-name system are considered promising prospects, many problems remain. Virtual currency is not a simple digital item but a method of redesigning the function of money. Coordinated efforts are needed globally to be able to further activate the positive aspects concerning the use of virtual currencies.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.402-411
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The role of a school's nutrition environment in explaining students' eating behaviors and weight status has not been examined in an Asian setting. The purpose of this study was to create a school nutrition environment index and to pilot test the index in elementary and middle schools in urban South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used a mixed-methods approach. Environment assessment tools were developed based on formative research, which comprised literature reviews, in-depth interviews, and focus group discussions. Key elements from the formative research were included in the assessment tool, which consisted of a structured survey questionnaire for school dietitians. Fifteen school dietitians from 7 elementary and 8 middle schools in Seoul completed the questionnaire. RESULTS: The formative research revealed four main sections that guided a summary index to assess a school's nutrition environment: resource availability, education and programs, dietitians' perceptions and characteristics, and school lunch menu. Based on the literature reviews and interviews, an index scoring system was developed. The total possible score from the combined four index sections was 40 points. From the 15 schools participating in the pilot survey, the mean school nutrition-environment index was 22.5 (standard deviation ${\pm}3.2$; range 17-28). The majority of the schools did not offer classroom-based nutrition education or nutrition counseling for students and parents. The popular modes of nutrition education were school websites, posters, and newsletters. CONCLUSIONS: This paper illustrates the process used to develop an instrument to assess a school's nutrition environment. Moreover, it presents the steps used to develop a scoring system for creation of a school nutrition environment index. As pilot testing indicated the total index score has some variation across schools, we suggest applying this instrument in future studies involving a larger number of schools. Future studies with larger samples will allow investigation of the validity and reliability of this newly developed tool.

• International Commerce and Information Review
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.301-314
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• 2012

To improve support for damages due to FTA and competitive power to overcome it, direct damages to farming and fisheries are compensated through Direct Payment Policy and Business Cessation Support System. Support plans will be developed to enhance competitive power in industries and income base in rural areas. This study carried an AHP to decide Priority and Evaluation Criteria in respect to domestic support measures according to FTA. For the AHP, the classes were categorized into direct damage conservation, higher competitive power and expansion of income. For the direct damage preservation measures, the classes were categorized into farmers, fishermen, manufactures, service business managers, and workers. In respect to reinforcement of competitive power of each industry, the classes were categorized into farming, fisheries, manufacturing, the drug industry, and service business. In respect to expansion of income, the classes were categorized into farming and fishing. Then 27 national support measures were presented for sub-classes. As a result of the analysis, it was discovered that more weight was given to measures to reinforce competitive power of each industry and expand income than those on direct damage conservation. In respect to higher competitive power in industries, more weight was given to support for farming and manufacturing. In respect to expansion of income, more weight was given on measures on farming than fisheries. For the direct damage preservation measures, more weight was given on support measures on farmers and workers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.4 s.32
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• pp.416-427
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• 1990

Unfortunately, we have poor knowledge of medical technology in North Korea. This study has thus attempted to identify the level and status of medical technology development through analyzing the contents of medical textbooks currently in use. This study has assumed that three factors are influencing the level and status of medical technology in a society ; the level of socio-economic development in general, the level of scientific technology revolution and health policy. Forty textbooks are collected for this purpose. The main findings are summarized as follows : 1) North Korea s strengths in that (1) its herb drugs, which are in a broad use, are cheaper, more safe and more attainable than bio-equivalent chemical ones, and (2) the development of its medical technology was carried out with emphasis on the practical and basic health needs. 2) North Korea has weaknesses in that (1) its medical diagnostic method largely depends on manual procedures, (2) the R & D investment in the development of chemical drugs, especially antibiotics, is very small, (3) the amount of medical equipments is in a absolute shortage, and (4) the medical technology is destitute of specialty, caused mainly by the overemphasis on Juche-Uihak or herb medicine. 3) Medical technology has two faces, positive and negative so that it cannot be successfully evaluated by one. It eventually acts a positive function for public health through developments of drug, equipment and new medical treatment method. But it is also true that it has negative effects such as the dehumanization of high cost medical technology, cost hike due to over-investments in expensive equipment and the absence of wholistic care from overspecialization. 4) We have to consider economic status and the social needs of medical care in order to evaluate the medical technology of a society. It is also the case with North Korea. A whole picture of the North Korean medical technology could be understood only if further comprehensive studies of medical technology are to be carried out for North Korea.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.24-32
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• 2016

Objective: The visually impaired have limited access to health care services and related information, and thus, they can have serious hurdles against properly taking medications. Despite that it is important to improve self-care ability of the visually impaired for correct medication use, there have been few studies investigating their needs for health care services in Korea, particularly focusing on proper medication usage. This study is to explore safety-related issues regarding mediation usage among the visually impaired based on in-depth interview. We particularly focus on any obstacles for safe use of medicines including experience on medication-related adverse effects in order to provide preliminary evidence for policy measures to improve proper medication use among the visually impaired. Methods: Study sample was visually impaired individuals who resided in Seoul area and were registered in the National Association of Visually Impaired. The association helped the process of recruiting the study participants. In-depth interview for each study participants was conducted. Each interview was recorded and later converted into a written script to extract core contents for the analysis. Results: The study participants comprised of three women (42.9%) and four men (57.1%). One was in his 20's, and there were four participants in 30's and two in 40's. Fully impaired participants were majority (5 out of 7). Limitation to physical access to health care providers and health information were the key factors to hamper safe medication utilization among the study participants. Difficulty reading medication information and may take the wrong medication or incorrect doses of medication, resulting in serious consequences, including overdose or inadequate treatment of health problems. Visually impaired patients report increased anxiety related to medication management and must rely on others to obtain necessary drug information. Pharmacists have a unique opportunity to pursue accurate medication adherence in this special population. This article reviews literature illustrating how severe medication mismanagement can occur in the visually impaired elderly and presents resources and solutions for pharmacists to take a larger role in adherence management in this population. Conclusion: The visually impaired had difficulties reading medication information and identifying medicines, and took incorrect doses of medications. Public support for safe medication use and medication management among the visually impaired is necessary.

• Korean Journal of Medicinal Crop Science
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.474-485
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• 2013

Pharmacological studies and clinical practices have indicated that Radix Astragali, a dried root of Astragalus membranaceus possesses a lot of biological activities, including antioxidant, hepatoprotective, anti-diabetic, tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, antiviral, and immunological activities. These biological activities approved by the modern pharmacological studies are mainly due to the constituents of Astragalus membranaceus including polysaccharides, saponins, flavonoids, amino acids, and trace elements. In resent, the main constituents in the root part showing a lot of biological activities has been isolated also from the aboveground parts such as leaves and sprouts in our laboratory. However, the safety evaluation for the aboveground parts of Astragalus membranaceus should be checked before expanding their application as one of food. In the study, a 90-day rat oral gavage study has been conducted with the extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-above-ground parts at doses of 1000, 3000, and 5000mg/kg/day. The following endpoints were evaluated: clinical observations, body weight, gross and microscopic pathology, clinical chemistry, and hematology. Based on the analysis of these endpoints, it was estimated that NOEL (no observed effect level) for male rats and NOAEL (no observed adverse effect level) for female rats are 5000mg/kg/day of the water-extracts from Astragalus membranaceus-aboveground parts.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.65-72
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• 2016

Personal Health Record(PHR) service can be helpful to patients with diseases requiring strict everyday care and medical treatment, such as diabetes or cancer. In this paper, we propose a PHR system specialized in collecting and analyzing health record data of cancer patients, and present the process of how the system can improve the efficiency of cancer treatment process. Through the smart device application, cancer PHR system obtains daily PHR data which is highly related and critical to cancer therapy. The analysis report is provided to the medical staff with an available format suited for Electronic Medical Record used at medical institution. With the final result of PHR analysis which is easily merged with medical chart, most efficient Chemotherapy treatment can be provided for the patients. Also it is possible for the patients to give the information of side-effect and other pain experience during therapy to their doctors without loss of information. The proposed PHR system has the effect of improving the quality of patient care by allowing the medical staff to acquire the main objective data necessary for drug prescription and medical care benefits.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.419-428
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• 2018

Purpose: The study was done to investigate the correlation among health literacy, social support and medication adherence in elderly with chronic diseases. Method: Participants were 100 patients with chronic diseases in two small hospitals in J do H. A structured questionnaires was used to measure the study variables from July 14, 2017 to August 14, 2017. Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Spearman correlation coefficient, and Multiple regression by SPSS/WIN 18.0 program. Result: Medication adherence and health literacy were positively correlated(r=.398, p<.001), Medication adherence and social support were positively correlated (r=.453, p<.001) and health literacy and social support were positively correlated(r=.731, p<.001). The factors influencing on medication adherance are Experience of adverse drug effect. The explanation is that medication adherence is total 25.9%(F=3.91, p<.001). Conclusion: Thus this suggests that in order to enhance medication adherence of the elderly with chronic diseases, educational programs are needed for offering customized medical information considering unique characteristics of the area and objects.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.765-774
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to provide informative statistics which can be used for effective Diabetes Management Programs. We collected and analyzed the data of 666 diabetic people who had participated in Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2007 and 2008. Group classification on management behavior of Diabetic Mellitus is based on the K-means clustering method. The Decision Tree method and Multiple Regression Analysis were used to study factors of the management behavior of Diabetic Mellitus. Diabetic people were largely classified into three categories: Health Behavior Program Group, Focused Management Program Group, and Complication Test Program Group. First, Health Behavior Program Group means that even though drug therapy and complication test are being well performed, people should still need to improve their health behavior such as exercising regularly and avoid drinking and smoking. Second, Focused Management Program Group means that they show an uncooperative attitude about treatment and complication test and also take a passive action to improve their health behavior. Third, Complication Test Program Group means that they take a positive attitude about treatment and improving their health behavior but they pay no attention to complication test to detect acute and chronic disease early. The main factor for group classification was to prove whether they have hyperlipidemia or not. This varied widely with an individual's gender, income, age, occupation, and self rated health. To improve the rate of diabetic management, specialized diabetic management programs should be applied depending on each group's character.