• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2002

Reducing the level of stress and insomnia by aromatherapy is proposed as a method of self-care and health promotion in the future. Of the people who received aromatherapy from July, 1999 to February, 2000 at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Center at the Gyeongu City Health Center, 48 people agreed to participate in a questionnaire survey, presented before and after their aromatherapy, and the data were analyzed. When the people received aromatherapy at the Complementary and Alternative Medicine Center, they inhaled the aroma from a vaporizer and when at home, they inhaled from a tissue, gauze or washbowl. Two sessions per week (2 hrs./session) were provided at the Center in the total 1-month duration of the therapy. The oil made from a blend of clarysage, geranium, rose at a ratio of 3:2:1 was used for relieving stress, and the oil made from a blend of clarysage, lavender, and lemon at 2:2:1 ratio was used for relieving insomnia. The scores of stress of 92.5 17.5 points before aromatherapy significantly reduced to $87.4{\pm}4.2$ points after therapy(p<0.01), and the scores of insomnia of $2.5{\pm}1.2$ points before aromatherapy significantly reduced to $1.0{\pm}1.1$ points after therapy(p<0.01). The reduction in stress and insomnia from aromatherapy was more significant in those who were experiencing high levels of stress and insomnia. Therefore, stress and its related insomnia can be effectively relieved with proper application of aromatherapy. With benefits such as little side-effects, convenient and simple education, low cost, and the do-it-yourself feature. aromatherapy can be expanded into a self-management program for promoting health of the community people.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.196-210
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• 2024

Background: In January 2018, revised elderly fixed outpatient copayment for the elderly were implemented. When people ages 65 years and older receive outpatient treatment at clinic-level medical institutions (clinic, dental clinic, Korean medicine clinic), with medical expenses exceeding 15,000 won but not exceeding 25,000 won, their copayment rates have decreased differentially from 30%. This study aimed to examine the changes of health utilization of elderly after revised elderly fixed outpatient copayment. Methods: We used Korea health panel data from 2016 to 2018. The time period is divided into before and after the revised elderly fixed outpatient copayment. We conducted Poisson segmented regression to estimate the changes in outpatient utilization and inpatient utilization and conducted segmented regression to estimate the changes in medical expenses. Results: Immediately after the revised policy, the number of clinic and Korean medicine outpatient visits of medical expenses under 15,000 won decreased. But the number of clinic outpatient visits in the range of 15,000 to 20,000 won and Korean medicine clinic in the range of 20,000 to 25,000 won increased. Copayment in outpatient temporarily decreased. The inpatient admission rates and total medical expenses temporarily decreased but increased again. Conclusion: We confirmed the temporary increase in outpatient utilization in the medical expense segment with reduced copayment rates. And a temporary decrease in medical expenses followed by an increase again. To reduce the burden of medical expense among elderly in the long run, efforts to establish chronic disease management policies aimed at preventing disease occurrence and deterioration in advance need to continue.

• Neonatal Medicine
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.25-35
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• 2009

Purpose: The characteristics of hospitalized patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), including hospitalization costs (HC) and National Health Insurance (NHI) status were studied. Methods: We gathered the following data from 7 hospitals in Korea during 2006: the distribution of patients according to birth weight (BW), and the duration of the hospital stay according to BW and He. Results: The patients who were admitted to the NICU consisted of high-risk neonates, including low birth weight or premature neonates, which comprised 50% of all neonates admitted to the NICU. The duration of hospitalization was 75-90 days for neonates with BW <1,000 g, 45-60 days for neonates with BW between 1,000 and 1,499 g, and approximately 15 days for neonates with BW between 2,000 and 2,499 g. The portion of the HC covered by the NHI was 77.1%, 22.9% of the total HC was not covered by the NHI (19.5% was included in the list, but not covered by the NHI and 3.4% was not listed, but covered by the NHI). The average total HC per person was 4,360,000 won, and the HC covered and not covered by the NHI were 3,677,000 won and 1,007,000 won, respectively. The mean HC were as follows; 35,000,000 won for a BW <500 g, 18,000,000 won for a BW between 500 and 999 g, 16,000,000 won for a BW between 1,000 and 1,499 g, and 4,200,000 won for a BW between 1,500 and 1,999 g. Conclusion: Not only premature, but also ill neonates were under the care of the NICU. The HC increased as the BW decreased and the hospitalization period increased. The proportion of the patient's financial burden is >25% of the total He. For this matter, additional NHI is needed.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.945-953
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• 2014

This study aims to develop protective pants to relieve impact from falls and to present basic data for the development. The survey results are as follows; First, 45% of the respondents were in their 60s and 55% of them were in their over 70s and older. Also, 64% of them have fallen once for the past year and 36% of them have fallen twice or more. The older they were, the more there were those who have fallen twice or more. This indicated the older people has experienced more fall accidents again after a initial fall accident. Second, as per accident situations, the survey showed that fall accidents happened the most in the winter and in the afternoon (12-18 pm). Also, it happened on a street mostly and they were wearing sneakers or hiking boots when they got a hurt slipped in a front or side by missing their step in a walk. The injury areas are mostly knee and ankle. They had the bruises or a sprain in their knee and ankle mostly. The rate of bone fracture was 19.5%. Therefore, the protection area to falls in lower body is the knee. But hip and hip joint should be protected with knee as well because those are usually be broken when it is damaged. Third, approximately 80% of those who were hospitalized for treatment had surgery. Patients who had surgery were rather in their over 70s than in their 60s. The older they were, the more serious their fracture was. The period of hospital or outpatient treatment is more than three weeks in many cases. They responded their health got worse after falls. Aftereffects of accidents were physical discomfort, anxiety and medical costs. Falls to the old makes physical damage, psychological damage, which cause reduced physical activity and the increased cost of health care with economic losses. So it results on a negative impact on the life of the old. Fourth, elderly females were rarely aware of impact protective clothing and they have never purchased such clothing. For impact protective pants, the major consideration was suitable design for their body types. They liked casual style with front or side pockets and simple designs without any patterns or decorations. As per pants materials, they responded that they need functionality, activity and elasticity. Among the functional points, insulation of cloths are considered importantly, so the heat reservance of material in the impact protective pants should be considered carefully.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.100-124
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• 1997

In order to suggest the strategies for participation in the PPS(Prospective Payment System), analyses were performed based on variations in utilization pattern and changes in revenues of hospitals in 10 selected KDRGs. The data was collected from the claims data of a tertiary hospital in Kyunggido from September 1, 1995 to August 31, 1996. The studies consisted of 1, 718 inpatients diagnosed for lens procedures, tonsilectomy &/or adenoidectomy, appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis, Cesarean section, or vaginal delivery without any complications. The resources used in each KDRG were measured including average length of stay, total charges, number of orders, intensity of medical services, frequencies of medical services, the rate of non-reimbursable charges, and the rate of non-reimbursable orders. Then, the changes in hopital revenues due to the composition of medical fee schedules under the PPS were estimated as follows: 1) The variations in average lenght of stay, total charges, number of orders, the intensity of medical services, the frequency of medical services, the rate of non-reimbursable charges, and the rate of non-reimbursable orders among the 10 KDRGs were comparatively small. 2) The average lenght of stay was the longest(6.0 days) for appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis, while it was the shortest(2.1 days) for two vaginal deliveries. Statistically differences existed in the average length of stay among physicians and among the dates of admission in several KDRGs. 3) The total charges were the highest for lens procedures(1, 716, 000 won), while the lowest charges were for two vaginal deliveries(558, 000 won). Statistically differences in the total charges were found among physicians in several KDRGs: however, there were no differences with the dates of admission. 4) The number of orders was the greatest(155) for appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis, while it was the smallest(75) for the two vaginal deliveries. Statistical differences in the number of orders did not exist among physicians in the KDRGs. 5) Significant differences were found in the intensity of medical services, and in the frequency of medical services among physicians in the KDRGs. 6) The rate of non-reimbursable charges for each KDRG was not related to the rate of non-reimbursable orders. The rate of non-reimbursable orders was the highest(36.0%) for lens procedures, while the lowest rate(11.6%) was for appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis. The rate of non-reimbursable charges was the highest(39.4-39.7%) for vaginal deliveries, while the lowest rate(13.1%) was for tonsillectomy &/or adenoidectomy(<17 ages). 7) If the physician's practicing style were not change under the PPS, the hospital revenuses could be increased by 10%, and the portion of patient payment could be decreased by 1.4-22.4%. However, the non-reimbursable charges for showed little change between two reimbursement systems. Based upon the above findings, this hospital could be eligible for participation in the PPS(Prospective Payment Systm). However, the process of diagnosis and treatment should be standardized, inentifying methods to reduce cost and to assure quality of medical care. Furthermore, consideration should be given to finding ways to increase patient volume.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.418-427
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to investigate the factors influencing the intention to use mobile healthcare services based on smartphones. Data collection was conducted from March 10, 2014 to April 8, 2005. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS WIN 23.0 and AMOS 18.0 using Path analysis and Structural equation modeling analysis. The results showed that service quality and innovativeness, which are external variables, had a statistically significant effect on perceived usefulness, and these two factors had a positive effect on the intention to use mobile healthcare services. Usefulness also has a significant effect on perceived usefulness, and content characteristics and cost rationality have a significant effect on usability. The usefulness of the service also directly affects the intention to use mobile health care services, and various factors affect their effective use. In response to the recent rise in medical expenses, mobile healthcare using smartphones has emerged and there is a need to develop awareness of the various attempts by companies to develop such apps. The government should also make effort to improve accessibility to healthcare services by introducing suitable policies. It is expected that future studies will be continuously conducted to confirm the development of differentiated services for mobile healthcare subjects and their intention to use them.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.381-388
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to examine the use of dental institutions among Chinese students in Korea in an attempt to provide some information on how to make more and better dental services accessible to them. The subjects in this study were Chinese students who were studying in eight different colleges. After a survey was conducted from April 1 to July 15, 2011, the following findings were given: 1. Concerning experiences of using domestic dental institutions, the majority of the respondents never received dental treatment in our country. The most widely used dental institutions were dental clinics, and the most common treatment they received was about dental caries. 2. As for the reason why they didn't receive dental treatment in our country, the biggest group cited the burden of medical cost and time constraints as the reasons. 3. The students who had medical insurance slightly outnumbered those who hadn't. Regarding the necessity of medical insurance, most of them considered that to be necessary, and those who had medical insurance received more dental treatment than the others who hadn't. 4. As to satisfaction with dental treatment, the students who were better at Korean expressed more satisfaction, and those who had medical insurance were better satisfied than the others who hadn't. In conclusion, the medical insurance system should be improved to let Chinese students have medical insurance compulsorily to ensure their efficient use of dental institutions, and every college should offer administrative assistance for health care.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.83-89
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• 2017

This study aims to investigate the impact of a mobile-based human coaching healthcare service provided for diabetic patients by nurses on their self-management ability. This study collected data from 311 persons who were diagnosed with diabetes from all over the country, and the collected data were analyzed through SPSS Win 23. The results of the study are summarized as follows: First, it was found that the utilization of a glucose meter by the provision of the mobile-based human coaching healthcare service was men group, and there was a statistically significant difference (${\chi}^2=6.059$, p= .048*). Second, there was a positive correlation in the utilization between the glucose meter and an activity tracker band by the provision of the mobile-based human coaching healthcare service, which was statistically significant (r=.660, p< .001). Third, as a result of checking the changes of the utilization of the glucose meter by the provision of the mobile-based human coaching healthcare service, it was maintained between 79% and 41% from Week 1 through 49. In conclusion, this study partially confirmed that the mobile-based human coaching health service was easily accessible and cost-effective in enhancing the participants'self-healthcare ability.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.462-474
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• 2018

The development of bio-sensing technology made it easy to collect various biometric information that was only available in large medical devices. The miniaturization of sensors makes it simple to carry out various health checkups that It did in person to the hospital by improving the portability of diagnostic devices. It is able to combine sensors into portable devices such as Smartphones, apply advanced Internet of Things (IOT) technology, and create new form factors for medical devices such as ultra-small modules that can be inserted or attached to their bodies. The results can be checked immediately through portable information devices such as smart phones. Although commercialization is still slow in Korea, new technologies are being applied in various ways in countries such as the United States that have granted remote medical services. Medical demand, supply and cost in South Korea are growing ahead of a super-aged society. Under these circumstances, attention is focusing on whether smart healthcare, a new concept, can complement the existing medical system. This study identifies the technology trends associated with smart health care and categorizes various healthcare products in the UX design aspects. In addition, the UX design approach and guidelines for applying smart healthcare technologies to the elderly, the intended users, are presented. This research will provide a reference to a new social issue, the UX-design approach to solving the problems of the aged society.

• 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.