• Health Policy and Management
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.138-175
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• 1994

The objectives of this study are (i) to review current situations and problems of the occupational health care system with emphasis on reforming the organizations and services, (ii) to find out a disirable occupational health system model based on integration of the occupational health system and the general health system, and finally, (iii) to suggest policy implications in occupational health services in the light of objectives of the newly emerging national health insurance reform in Korea. The major policy implications of this study are as follows: 1. In the long-run, within the occupational health system, preventive occupational health services such as employees' physical check-up, working environment examination, etc should financially be integrated with industrial accident compensation insurance. Currently separately paying expenses for each different category of services by the owner of an enterprise should be disbursed once through the payment of contributions of industrial accident compensation insurance. And then, it is necessary to strengthen and expand the role and function of industrial accident compensation insurance to cover preventive occupational health services. 2. The occupational health system should be integrated with general health system for its effective management. For the short-term policy, it is necessary to eliminate fiscal and access barrier between industrial accident compensation insurance and national health insurance by means of ex post facto settlement of accounts. The duplication of employees' physical check- ups between under the health insurance program and under the industrial health services must be coordinated in a manner either through mutual authorization by the two parties concerned or through merge into the health insurance. 3. The intent of current employees' physical check-up system focused on detection of occupational diseases, should be converted to an idea of medical surveillance system or biological moritoring system. The introduction of medical surveillance or biological monitoring system is a necessary condition to build a positive, effective and inexpensive occupational health care system.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.385-386
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• 2021

The 2022 Presidential election is approaching. Because health policies are intimately connected to other policies and involve multiple stakeholders, it is difficult to promote policy changes. Hence, the presidential election, during which policymakers are replaced, is a great timing for making policy improvements. Several important policies have been introduced and promoted throughout the presidential election process. However, these policies have been implemented without going through sufficient discussion among the experts but rather through the voices of minority groups with stronger political will. This eventually posed an obstacle to the balanced development of the entire health care system. The current medical system faces challenges that need to be addressed in the medium and long term. In particular, we should be wary of the populistic approach. We look forward to seeing more policy commitments, proposed through the evidence-based policy process and sufficient amount of discussion among the experts.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.246-257
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to physical and affective well-being of taxi drivers. The main factors of interests were workplace hazards and work environment. Method: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A convenience sampling method was utilized. 181 taxi drivers in Seoul metropolitan area completed survey questionnaires. Result: In bivariate analysis, payment system, workplace hazards, and work environment were associated with physical health of taxi drivers. Multiple regression analysis revealed payment system and workplace hazards were significant predictors of physical health. On the other hand, age and workplace hazards, and work environment were significantly associated with affective health in the bivariate analysis. Moreover, workplace hazards and environment were significant predictors of affective health in the multiple regression analysis. Conclusion: To improve taxi drivers' health status, it is critical to reform payment system to monthly payment, establish prevention policies of workplace hazards, and encourage employers and taxi drivers to make efforts for better work environment.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-233
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• 1999

This study is an effort to make policy suggestions by analysing the current health examination program as a benefit service provided by the national health insurance system, including health screening for the insured, screening of cancer and chronic diseases for their dependents. Analyses found some issues being gave attention to; 1) The insured under the community health insurance system do not get the health examination benefit. A program for them should be set to have equity in benefit services. 2) Low rates of using screen services compromise purpose and the efficiency the services have first intended to. An immediate attention should be made to increase low rate of use of screen test to detect chronic diseases in particular. 3) Selection of diseases and test items covered by health examination program does not reflect the need of the insured, but to reflect financial resources of the national health insurance system. 4) Lack of health screening facilities and their geographical maldistribution is observed, which with preference of a general hospital as a screening post by the insured may lead to unreliable test. 5) A follow-up system should have been developed for the suspected classified by test results of carrying chronic diseases. They should be cared for within the health examination program. Public health care systems incorporate such a system, along with caring for those who are in need of having a health counselling on preventive care. In conclusion, the national health insurance system should be a medical insurance of giving a higher priority on preventive care benefits, health examination program in particular. That could be done by making rearrangements of test items, screening methods and system, rationalizing current reimbursement system of service fee, increasing accessibility to and utilization of the services, and making an establishment of follow-up system.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.85-102
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• 2018

Objectives: In order to cope with the quality and the substantiality issues in long-term care for the elderly, we should have a wider view of long-term system components based on the understanding of health care organizations, management services, support for care providers and beneficiaries, education of the workforce, and management of finance and resources. Methods: For resolving the issues raised and offering guidance in the area of long-term care, we reviewed 20 reports and documents of the government and government-related institutions using the Internet home pages of the Australian government and the related organizations in the health care sector. These organizations are undergoing a huge system reform to implement consumer-directed care since 2015, in the areas of service, resources, finances, organization, and management. Results and conclusions: The study outcomes can have some implications for the long-term care system in Korea based on the differences in the service components. The results can provide basic information for improving the long-term care service, and can have several other implications for long-term care in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.6
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• pp.265-270
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• 2015

The recent Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) outbreak has originated from a failure in the national quarantine system in the Republic of Korea as most basic role of protecting the safety and lives of its citizens. Furthermore, a number of the Korean healthcare system's weaknesses seem to have been completely exposed. The MERS-CoV outbreak can be considered a typical public health crisis in that the public was not only greatly terrorized by the actual fear of the disease, but also experienced a great impact to their daily lives, all in a short period of time. Preparedness for and an appropriate response to a public health crisis require comprehensive systematic public healthcare measures to address risks comprehensively with an all-hazards approach. Consequently, discussion regarding establishment of post-MERS-CoV improvement measures must focus on the total reform of the national quarantine system and strengthening of the public health infrastructure. In addition, the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention must implement specific strategies of action including taking on the role of "control tower" in a public health emergency, training of Field Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, establishment of collaborative governance between central and local governments for infection prevention and control, strengthening the roles and capabilities of community-based public hospitals, and development of nationwide crisis communication methods.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.465-473
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the experiences of nursing college students who are now pursuing a bachelor degree of nursing at a three year nursing school. Method: The study employs a Qualitative research method. For this study 19 nursing students of a reformed nursing college were interviewed. All of them are now taking the fourth-year classes. Results: The experiences of the interviewees are categorized into the following five themes: 1) Education reform news that could make the bachelor degree happen; 2) Relaxed but uncomfortably long winter break; 3) Looking forward to the fourth year of nursing education; 4) Facing the fourth year and possible double classes; and 5) Unregrettable choice. The study found that the students are putting their best effort forward for the fourth-year classes in a hope that the bachelor degree could rebuild their self-esteem and self-identity as a full-member of the nursing profession. They also hope that the existing societal prejudice and differential treatments toward them will disappear in future nursing practices. Conclusion: This study concludes with some practical implications for nursing education for reformed nursing schools.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-16
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• 2015

This study intended to measures for high performance and for identifying competitive advantages by examining the relation between the competence and performance of the first special hospitals for which the law has now been in effect for 3 years. Furthermore, the members of special hospitals were also surveyed on measures to improve the special hospital system in order to activate it. A total of 80 special hospitals participated in this study, and 171 people responded to a survey on the special hospital system. According to the results of the multiple regression analysis the relation between the competence and performance after establishing a hypothesis that special hospital competence would have an effect on organizational performance, member competence and hospital business management competence significantly had a positive (+) effect on internal performance, and marketing management competence significantly had a positive (+) effect on external performance, which partially supported this research hypothesis. Moreover, according to the results of survey on the special hospital system, the policy thought to be the most important by special hospitals was reasonable fee system reform, followed by granting incentives.

• Informatization Policy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.60-81
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• 2018

Healthcare is on the verge of a paradigm shift towards an emphasis on wellbeing, integrative health, and prevention of disease, while the traditional medical model focuses solely on end-point treatment. The development of digital technologies has played a major role in this change as digital technology and health have converged. Therefore, many developed countries promote the digital healthcare industry as a new economic growth engine, and Korea is no exception. To promote the digital healthcare industry, the Korean government provides institutional support by improving the legal and regulatory system for medical devices and health data. However, Korea still has an underdeveloped legal and regulatory framework for digital healthcare compared with other countries. In this study, we review the relevant regulatory systems in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, and Japan. We then explore newspaper articles and conduct expert interviews to analyze the regulatory situation in Korea and the problems the digital healthcare industry faces. In conclusion, we discuss a regulatory reform plan for development of the digital healthcare industry in Korea.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.52-70
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• 2003

The rate of conversion to Medical-juridical-persons' ownership of medical institutions has increased rapidly since its start in 1970s in Korea. The most sensitive issue to introduce for-profit medical institutions, ignited particularly by the WTO/DDA negotiations, has sparked considerable debate, stemming largely from conflicting views on the theoretical effects of ownership status on organizational behavior. This study surveyed health-related experts' opinions on allowing for for-profit-firms-owned medical institutions. Some fear that the obligation to maximize the share-holders' return on their investment will cause the medical institutions to eliminate necessary but less lucrative services. They may easily fall under more pressure to generate income, and respond more aggressively than not-for-profit medical institutions to financial pressures. Advocates of for-profit ownership of medical institutions argue that greater responsiveness to the demands of the marketplace will lead to larger investment, higher quality and lower costs to consumers. Referring to both foreign countries' experience and domestic experts' opinions, this study suggests for reform of the current Korean Medical-Juridical-Person(MJP) System. Introduction of so-called “Capital-investment” MJPs is recommended where the properties left in case of their dissolution can be distributed to original investors according to the procedures stipulated in their statutes. However, their annual profits are not allowed to be allocated to investors, but should be reinvested for their medical institutions, as is the case in current MJPs. Their legal aspects are also reviewed in this study.