• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.335-341
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• 2014

Cancer is a menace fast gaining momentum in Nigeria and other developing countries. It is an expensive disease requiring a major financial and human resources for prevention, diagnosis and treatment. With no national policy on cancer control in the conntry, incidence (111.7/100,000 population) and mortality (86.6/100,000) rates in Nigeria are spiraling beyond control. This literature search study was primarily aimed at providing recommendations on cost-effective strategies for development interventions to promote self-management for cancer survivors in Nigeria with a goal to improve quality of life and overall survival.

• Korean Journal of Artificial Intelligence
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.13-18
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• 2022

The role of artificial medical intelligence through medical big data has been focused on data-based medical device business and medical service technology development in the field of diagnostic examination of the patient's current condition, clinical decision support, and patient monitoring and management. Recently, with the 4th Industrial Revolution, the medical field changed the medical treatment paradigm from the method of treatment based on the knowledge and experience of doctors in the past to the form of receiving the help of high-precision medical intelligence based on medical data. In addition, due to the spread of non-face-to-face treatment due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is expected that the era of telemedicine, in which patients will be treated by doctors at home rather than hospitals, will soon come. It can be said that artificial medical intelligence plays a big role at the center of this paradigm shift in prevention-centered treatment rather than treatment. Based on big data, this paper analyzes the current status of artificial intelligence technology for chronic disease patients, market trends, and domestic and foreign company trends to predict the expected effect and future development direction of artificial intelligence technology for chronic disease patients. In addition, it is intended to present the necessity of developing digital therapeutics that can provide various medical services to chronically ill patients and serve as medical support to clinicians.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.415-425
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• 2009

Objectives : In this study, the dental treatment satisfaction degree of the patients, who experienced the sleep dental treatment or non-sleep dental treatment, the revisit rate and the differences among the encouraging intention were compared and analyzed, and the primary factors through which the satisfaction degree of sleep dental treatment has influence on the revisits and the encouraging intention were analyzed, and the proposal was made on clinic management to raise qualitative medical service level on the basis of this study. Methods : The questionnaires filled out by the 202 users of a certain dental clinic located in Pohang-si, Gyeongbuk were analyzed. The frequency analysis and the crosstabulation analysis of the general characteristics of survey participants were carried out, and the satisfaction difference between the sleep dental treatment and the non-sleep dental treatment was identified with the t-test analysis. The multiple regression analysis were carried out to identify the factors through which the sleep dental treatment has influence on the through which the satisfaction degree of sleep dental treatment has influence on the satisfaction degree of the medical service and the revisited dentists. Results : In the medical service satisfaction degree in general, the sleep dental treatment had the higher meaningful value than the non-sleep dental treatment(p<0.05). In the case of the difference in satisfaction degree on each medical service factor, the satisfaction of the sleep treatment group was high in every case, but the meaningful difference showed up in the factors of waiting time, treatment procedure, revisit and the encouraging intention(p<0.01). The revisit to the sleep treatment dental clinic and the recommending dentist increased in proportion to the satisfaction degree of sleep dental treatment, and the Beta value appeared to be 0.337 at the influence of the subordinate variable(p<0.001). As for the influence on the sleep dental treatment satisfaction, the Beta value of the dental hygienist was the highest, marking the value at 0.375(p<0.01). As for the satisfaction of the patients who experienced the sleep dental treatment, the Beta value of the treatment fee was the highest, marking 0.352(p<0.001), in the multiple regression analysis of the revisit and the encouraging intention, and the 0.156 of dentist factor and the 0.152 of treatment procedure and waiting time showed lower regression coefficient(p<0.05). Conclusions : It is assumed that the satisfaction degree of sleep dental treatment, which is carried out as a new dental service has influence on the increase of revisit to the dental clinic as an important factor. But it was disclosed that the high level of treatment fee has the biggest influence on choice of revisit to the dental clinic. In the current medical charge system, the sleep dental treatment appeared to have a big influence on raising the quality of dentists, the satisfaction of patients, the revisit and encouraging intention, and also the roles of the dental hygienist was important. It is assumed that these facts are functioning as the factors that are linked to the increase of revisit and the encouraging intention.

• International Journal of Stem Cells
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.247-257
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• 2022

Background and Objectives: Although human-induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) can be efficiently differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs), the heterogeneity of the hiPSC-CMs hampers their applications in research and regenerative medicine. Retinoic acid (RA)-mediated signaling pathway has been proved indispensable in cardiac development and differentiation of hiPSC toward atrial CMs. This study was aimed to test whether RA signaling pathway can be manipulated to direct the differentiation into sinoatrial node (SAN) CMs. Methods and Results: Using the well-characterized GiWi protocol that cardiomyocytes are generated from hiPSC via temporal modulation of Wnt signaling pathway by small molecules, RA signaling pathway was manipulated during the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs on day 5 post-differentiation, a crucial time point equivalent to the transition from cardiac mesoderm to cardiac progenitor cells in cardiac development. The resultant CMs were characterized at mRNA, protein and electrophysiology levels by a combination of qPCR, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and whole-cell patch clamp. The results showed that activation of the RA signaling pathway biased the differentiation of atrial CMs, whereas inhibition of the signaling pathway biased the differentiation of sinoatrial node-like cells (SANLCs). Conclusions: Our study not only provides a novel and simple strategy to enrich SANLCs but also improves our understanding of the importance of RA signaling in the differentiation of hiPSC-CMs.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to estimate incomes and costs of the medical clinics by using secondary data. Methodology: The medical incomes and costs were estimated from 405 clinics operated by sole practitioner providing out-patient services among all clinics subject to the Medical Cost Survey on National Health Insurance Patients in 2017, excluding dental clinics and oriental medical clinics. The incomes and costs of the medical clinics were reflected with incomes and costs of health insurance benefits and were calculated by types of medical services (i.e., basic care, surgery, general treatment, functional test, specimen test and imaging test). The costs were classified as follows: labor costs, equipment costs, material costs and overhead costs. Secondary data was used to estimate the incomes and costs of the medical clinics. For allocation bases for costs for each type of the medical service, the ratio of revenue from health insurance benefits by types of medical services was applied. However, labor costs were calculated with the activity ratio by types of medical services and occupations, using clinical expert panel data. Finding: The percentage of health insurance income for all medical income was 73.1%. The health insurance cost per clinic was 401,864 thousand won. Labor cost accounted for the largest portion of the health insurance income was 191,229 thousand won (47.6%), followed by management cost was 170,018 thousand won (42.3%), materials cost was 35,434 thousand won (8.8%), and equipment costs was 5,183 thousand won (1.3%). Practical Implications: This study suggests a method of estimating incomes and costs of medical clinic services by using secondary data. It could efficiently provide incomes and costs to assess an appropriate level of the health insurance fee to the clinics.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.217-230
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• 2000

For the longest time, our government has played an inconsiderable role in the public health services of Korea, especially as it relates to their investment. Voices have cried out against increases in national health expenditure and for more establishment of public medical facilities. In light of this, the necessity and importance of public medical facilities have come into focus amidst the recent medical crisis. When public medical facilities filled in the gap created by the suspension or closure of private hospitals and clinics as a result of this national crisis and acted as a safety net, the demand for more establishment of such facilities increased. Although patient diagnosis and treatment are the first priority of public medical facilities, they must also deal with scopes that private medical facilities do not deal with, dislike, or have difficulty with. In this respect, the closure or privatization of public hospitals to reduce their number just because of their low profits or financial burdens that must be carried by the government is to ignore their innate importance and social role; therefore, we must do all we can to block such efforts and further empower these public health facilities according to demands of the time. The improvement of public health services can be realized by redefining its goals and roles, increasing government funding, strengthening of existing public health facilities and reorganizing the public health services system. Even if public health facilities were to increase their medical services and be reinforced, they cannot take on all the services related to public health services, Therefore, in a country like ours where public health services come second to private health services in the health care system, the health of citizens can be safeguarded only when private and public facilities cooperate and private medical facilities share the social responsibilities. Only the show of interest and effort by government, politicians, health professionals, professional organizations and public can initiate the improvement that is sought.

• The Journal of Churna Manual Medicine for Spine and Nerves
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2022

Objectives This study aimed to analyze the medical utilization of low back pain (LBP) patients after back surgery and estimate the medical costs of Korean and Western medicine collaborative treatment, odds ratio, and hazard ratio between the two groups using the 2019 Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service-National Patient Sample (HIRA-NPS-2019). Methods Data management and descriptive analysis, logistic regression, and survival analysis were conducted for defining and estimating the LBP patients after back surgery in the NPS 2019 dataset. Results A total of 216,424 patients out of 991,189 were identified as having LBP. Among the patients with LBP, 1,734 were treated with surgery while 214,690 were not. Among those who had surgery, 937 were treated with conventional treatments only and 797 underwent Korean medicine treatments. The odds ratio of the logistic regression analysis was 0.7129, suggesting that Korean medical treatment experience group had a 28.7% lower risk of reoperation than the Western medical treatments only group. The hazard ratio of the survival analysis was 0.9145; thus, the risk probability of reoperation was estimated to be approximately 8.55% lower. The 50% risk of reoperation was 69 days (0.5044) for the conventional group, and 97 days (0.5008) for the Korean medical group in the survival analysis using the Kaplan-Meier graph. Conclusions These results could be utilized in future studies in conducting economic evaluation for estimating cost-effectiveness of Western medicine and Korean medicine treatment compared to Western medicine alone in LBP patients after back surgery in a South Korean perspective. mended and should be applied while taking the necessary precautions.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.437-449
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• 2001

Purpose: To understand the development of nursing education of North Korea after 1945. Method: First, collecting primary sources published in NK. Second, collecting secondary sources published in South Korea. Third, interview with South Korean medical personnels who visited NK. Forth, interview with medical personnels who escaped NK. Result: After 1945 NK increased health care facilities in short time and had the policy of training medical personnel in short time. Nursing education was focused on the basic practice. NK could begin free medical treatment for the laborer in 1947. Post Korean War restoration and free medical treatment system of national level in 1950s and 1960s served to the health promotion of NK population. The medical personnel training policy continued and the number of R.N. in NK had increased 13 times in 15 years. NK has tried to increase the quality of health care service and medical personnel since 1970s. Nursing education in medical colleges is three-year course but 6 month training courses in general hospitals continue. They focus on primary prevention and oriental medicine in nursing curriculum reflecting the characteristics of NK medial care. But English and high technology is very poor, and there is no computer related curriculum. Conclusion: nursing education in NK has developed reflecting the changes of NK society and health care since 1945. After 1980s NK is in deep economic depression and it is hard to recover from the state with their hands. In this state, we cannot expect the development of nursing education in NK.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.125-135
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• 2023

Purpose: The number of patients suffering from depression is rapidly increasing worldwide, and by 2030, it is expected to pose a severe social and economic burden. Reports suggest that approximately 30% of subjects with symptoms of depression do not attempt treatment. Therefore, predicting the characteristics of subjects with depressive symptoms who have not even attempted counseling treatment is essential to increase the participation rate for such treatment. This study intends to predict the participation rates for psychological counseling treatment for depression among subjects with depressive symptoms. Methods: This study used data from the 2021 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). Data analysis was carried out using a decision tree to design a model that predicted participation in psychological counseling for depression. Results: The results showed that subjects aged 65 to 74 had difficulty understanding the explanations of medical staff even though they did not have cognitive impairment. Only 11.1% of this group received psychological counseling, which was the lowest rate among the various age groups. Among the subjects, 62.4% of those aged 19-44 or 45-64, who had suicidal thoughts and attempted suicide, received psychological counseling and this was the highest rate among the age groups surveyed. Conclusion: The identification of people showing depressive symptoms is crucial for encouraging them to undertake treatment. Also, proper depression-oriented medical services should be developed and implemented for people with depressive symptoms who exhibit a blind spot towards attempting treatment.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.126-143
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• 1996

Background : Little work has been carried out regarding quality assessment research in a primary care setting, comparing with that of hospitals. This study aims to evaluate the process of diagnosis and management of hypertension by public health doctors on the basis of pre-established clinical guideline, and to identify several modifying factors associated with them. Methods : Hypertension was selected as the target disease, because it is a chronic disease which is of great public health importance. Self-administered questionnaires were mailed to public health doctors practicing at health centers and health subcenters across the nation. The response rate was 20.9%. The questionnaire included the diagnosis and management process such as measuring blood pressure, history taking, physical examinations, and treatment approches and potentially modifying factors such as level of training, duration of practice as a public health doctor, and education on management of hypertension. Results : Public health doctors pay little attention in measuring BP, hypertension related history taking, performing physical examination and laboratory examination. But they devoted much effort in diagnosing hypertension exactly and giving nonpharmacological treatment. Among various antihypertensive drugs, calcium-channel blockers were the most preferred agent(50.9%). Level of training, duration of practice ad a public health doctor, and education on management of hypertension made no difference on quality of care(p>0.05). Conclusion : These public health doctors showed poor compliance with the pre-established clinical guidelines, which leaves much to be desired in diagnosing and managing hypertensive patients by public health doctors. This study might be able to contribute to develop some strategies, such as educational programs, which would be able to improve the process of care in hypertensives.