• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.445-453
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• 2019

Background: This study is to investigate the association between the distribution of multimorbidity and length of stay and medical expenses among inpatients in a municipal hospital to achieve an integrated care setting. Methods: We used the exploratory factor analysis and the generalized estimating equation model to analyze the data from patients living in the northeast region of Seoul, who were hospitalized from January 2017 to December 2017 in a municipal hospital. Results: As a result of the factor analysis, seven types of multiple chronic diseases were classified. Among the elderly patients admitted to municipal hospitals, the burden of medical expenses was mainly influenced by the length of stay (B=310,719, p-value <0.0001), not the type of disease (all not significant). Length of stay were mainly due to psychiatric illness (factor 1: B=4.323, p-value <0.0001) related to the brain and metabolic diseases (factor 2: B=2.364, p-value=0.003). Conclusion: This study showed that the medical expenses of the elderly patients were largely due to prolonged hospitalization, not multimorbidity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an integrated care paradigm strategy cope with the multimorbidity of the elderly in the community and to alleviate the socio-economic burden.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
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• v.26 no.12
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• pp.1826-1831
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• 2022

Rapid Aging Society demands the transformation of medical paradigm of diagnosis and treatment towards prevention and management. This paper explores the norm and development of digital health care, focusing on Busan Metropolitan City. Digital health care which combines new ICT technology and medical technology is predictive, preventive, personalized and participatory; and suggests alternative to solve the problem of demographic changes and increasing social cost of medical welfare. Community Health Center in Busan is unique one based in the minimum community of collecting data from self-leading health management. Digital transformation using basic health data and social information can build preventive care system in the community. Easy access leads community center to test bed of developing new technology, as a living lab. In order to use the newly developed goods and service effectively, user-participatory test is nicessary. Finally community nurse and activists can specify health-welfare converged service through digital transformation empowerment training.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.143-148
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• 2020

Objective: This study aimed to investigate pharmaceutical care for critically ill neonates and suggest targeted strategies compatible with the Korean health-system pharmacy. Methods: Articles that reported pharmacy practices for critically ill neonates were reviewed. Pharmaceutical care practices and roles of neonatal pharmacists were identified, and criteria were developed for neonates in need of specialized care by clinical pharmacists. Results: Neonatal pharmacists play many roles in the overall medication management pathway. For clinical decision support, multidisciplinary ward rounds, clinical pharmacokinetic services, and consultation for pharmacotherapy and nutrition support were conducted. Prevention and resolution of drug-related problems through review of medication charts contributed to medication safety. Pharmaceutical optimization of intravenous medication played an important role in safe and effective therapy. Information on the use of off-label medicine, recommended dosage and dosing schedules, and stability of intravenous medicine was provided to other health professionals. Most clinical practices for neonates in Korea included therapeutic drug monitoring and nutrition support services. Reduction in medication errors and adverse drug reactions, shortening the duration of weaning medicines, decreasing the use and cost of antimicrobials, and improvement in nutrition status were reported as the outcomes of pharmacist-led interventions. The essential criteria of pharmaceutical care, including for patients with potential high-risk factors for drug-related problems, was developed. Conclusion: Pharmaceutical care for critically ill neonates varies widely. Development and provision of standardized pharmaceutical care for Korean neonates and a stepwise strategy for the expansion of clinical pharmacy services are required.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.1-20
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• 2001

Korean government had introduced copayment system as cost sharing to office-based medical care in order to reduce the demand for care in 1986. This review focuses on trends and characteristics of copayment on office-based medical care from 1991 to the end of Jan. 2001. Objectives of this study is ${\circled}1$ to analyse historical trends of copayment on office-based medical care during the last decade, ${\circled}2$ to analyse the effect of copayment introduced to office-based medical care on NHI finance, ${\circled}3$ to analyse the changing trends of the size of copayment in utilizing office-based medical care for the past 10 years, ${\circled}4$ to evaluate the meaning of copayment alteration implemented after the introduction of new prescription system and finally ${\circled}5$ to draw a some policy implications from the results of this review. We found that the main purpose of copayment introduction had been reduction in the expenditure of NHI finance. But, the reduction effect of insurer's expenditure has turned out to be negative and NHI finance has been in crisis after the introduction of new prescription system. Also, the copayment level of the insured has increased actually on a large scale. It seems that the introduction of new prescription system has changed the meanings and its policy implications of copayment system.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.111-123
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to present the management strategies necessary to improve the operational efficiency of visiting nurse centers and evaluate their effectiveness. Methods: The subjects of this study were visiting nurse centers registered as long-term care centers. Based on value chain analysis, cost information analysis, and data envelope analysis, the study was carried out according to the Magerison's management consulting procedure, for six months. This procedure comprised eight sub-steps of approach and application. Results: The following management strategies were agreed upon: establishment of a cooperative network with other visiting care centers, creation of high satisfaction of external customers by providing practical training to care workers, and making rehabilitation and exercise services as the core nursing activities to be focused on. Conclusion: The management consulting process and analysis method applied in this study can referred to as a useful methodological framework for revitalizing visiting nursing centers in the future.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 1998

This study was conducted to evaluate the subjective ideas about the determinants of quality in ambulatory care unit among outpatients and medical staff of a university hospital, and to compare the differences of the ideas, between patients themselves and hospital staff. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted covering 799 outpatients and 190 hospital staff in March, 1998. The questionnaire included general characteristics and 26 determinants of ambulatory care quality. The following are summaries of the findings: 1. Both of outpatients and hospital staff perceived, "Physician's knowledge" as the most important determinant of medical care quality. 2. In respect of 7 determinants related to physician's knowledge and skill, both outpatients and hospital staff perceived "physician's knowledge and skill" as important determinants. The scores of determinants such as, "Not doing unnecessary examinations", and "Assignment of adequate number of patients and duty schedule for the physician" were significantly different between outpatients and hospital staff. 3. In respect of 4 determinants related to doctor-patient relationship, both outpatients and hospital staff perceived "attention to patient's complaints" as the most important determinant. The scores related to the determinants such as "kindness of physician" and "explanation of treatment outcome" were significantly different between outpatients and hospital staff. 4. Among the amenities related determinants, "Modern facilities and equipments" were perceived as the most important determinant in both group. 5. In respect of 8 determinants related to non-financial accommodation, outpatients perceived, "Waiting hours for treatment" as the most important determinant, and hospital staff perceived, "Kindness of hospital staff". 6. In respect of 4 determinants related to financial accommodation, outpatients perceived, "Fare account of medical cost" as the most important determinant, and hospital staff perceived, "Increasing reimbursements". Further comprehensive research should be made on the evaluation of perceptions of medical care quality, both of outpatient and inpatient care, among patients and hospital staff. So good quality in medical care will be achieved based on clients' needs.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.3
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• pp.98-110
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• 1996

As the health of people is a integral element of the public well-being, the government adopted and put the home visiting nurse system into practice from Jan. 1990, so that the public might get the necessary health service at the low cost and at home. Thus, it resulted in a rapid increase of the public need for the quality of life. The increasing demand for home care created a necessity for an increased man-power like home care nurse. Since the demand of the publics‘ home care has increased, Seoul Nurses’ Association, one of the branches of Korean Nurses Association has developed for the project team of Home Visiting Nurses Activities. The purpose of this study will analyzed and classified home nursing care activities of home visiting nurse according to the criteria of nursing diagnosis Korean Nurses‘ Association. The subject of the study was 54 patients in 1993 and 148 patients in 1994. All patients received home care at home from visiting nurses were living in Seoul city. The results of the study were as follows; 1) With regard to the nursing diagnosis, 24 items were classified. 2) The patients and families wanted to increase the number of time for home visiting. 3) Main sources of request to visit the patients at home were mainly from the families through nurses or doctors who cared for the patients. 4) In comparison of the characteristics visiting activities between 1993 and 1994, the number of the classification of nursing diagnosis and the number of visiting activities in 1994 were relatively increased than the outcomes in 1993.

• Korean Journal of Schizophrenia Research
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.8-13
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of type 1 diabetes in patients with schizophrenia and their total medical costs and risk of hospitalization. Methods: This study used Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service data in Korea. To examine total medical costs and risk of hospitalization, we selected 1,510 subjects with schizophrenia (half with and half without type 1 diabetes) that were 1:1 matched via propensity score matching. In health care system perspective, total medical costs included out-of-pocket and insurer's costs. Logistic regression models were used to examine the risk of hospitalization. Results: The prevalence of type 1 diabetes in patients with schizophrenia was 3.87 per 1,000 person year. Among patients with schizophrenia, the amount of total average medical costs and hospitalization costs in patients with type 1 diabetes was 1.49 and 1.59 times higher than those in patients without it, respectively. The odds of hospitalization were higher among patients with type 1 diabetes compared with those without it (odds ratio, OR=1.97 ; 95% CI 1.60-2.43). Conclusion: This study showed that medical costs and risk of hospitalization were higher in schizophrenia patients with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, these individuals may require specific care programs.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.242-259
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• 1997

This study describes associated factors of readmission of 213 inpatients from an university hospital in Seoul. This retrospective study reviewed medical records of patients who discharged from a hospital stay for general diseases between 1 August 1995 and 31 October 1995, Cases were 68 discharge patients with an unplanned readmission within 30 days of discharge from an index stay. And the other cases are 145 patients who had more than two discharges and didn't have an unplanned readmission within 30 days. Logistic regression model was analyzed and the results were as follows; 1. duration of readmission, rate of unpayed, room, path, and risk of disease were more likely to be readmitted unexpectedly than the expected readmission patients. 2. early readmission, low risk condition group, and inadquateness of discharge plann for patients had unplanned radmissions rather than planned readmissions. Therefore, discharge planning education to health care provider is required and assessement of discharge planning should be evaluated. Readmissions are usually for related problems that arose during the original hopitaliztion and caused cost problems. Especially the unplanned readmissions are frequently preventable. Ultimately, models for readmissions can serve as a valuable clinical tool for target high-risk patients and older patients and with this kind of tools we can reduce hospital readmissions and maintain high-quality of inpatient care.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.218-222
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• 2023

A holistic approach to diabetes considers patient preferences, emotional health, living conditions, and other contextual factors, in addition to medication selection. Human and social factors influence treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. Social issues, cost of care, out-of-pocket expenses, pill burden (number and frequency), and injectable drugs such as insulin, can affect adherence. Clinicians can ask about these contextual factors when discussing treatment options with patients. Patients' emotional health can also affect diabetes self-care. Social stressors such as family issues may impair self-care behaviors. Diabetes can also lead to emotional stress. Diabetes distress correlates with worse glycemic control and lower overall well-being. Patient-centered communication can build the foundation of a trusting relationship with the clinician. Respect for patient preferences and fears can build trust. Relevant communication skills include asking open-ended questions, expressing empathy, active listening, and exploring the patient's perspective. Glycemic goals must be personalized based on frailty, the risk of hypoglycemia, and healthy life expectancy. Lifestyle counseling requires a nonjudgmental approach and tactfulness. The art of diabetes care rests on clinicians perceiving a patient's emotional state. Tailoring the level of advice and diabetes targets based on a patient's personal and contextual factors requires mindfulness by clinicians.