• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.315-326
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• 2012

Objectives : The new health technology assessment system was introduced in April 2007. The purpose of new health technology assessment is assessing safety and efficacy in deciding a behavior of new health technology according to the Health Insurance Act. This study aims to understand the present status of new health technologies of Korean medicine. Methods : This research introduces new health technologies and their present status, and searches for a development direction for the new health technology of Korean medicine in the future. Results : Thirty seven cases(3%) of Korean medicine doctors who utilized new health technologies application were found. In the status about new health technologies application by technologies assortment, diagnostic test techniques were used more often than treatment skills. New medical technology that included korean medicine doctor as actual user was only one item, i.e. HCV antibody test. Conclusions : In order for the new health technology of korean medicine to settle down well, continuous interest and efforts of both government and medical community are necessary.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.46-64
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• 1997

Background & Objectives : Korea is face with the social need for health care technology assessment so that it is urgently needed to found principles and methodology in technology assessment in health care. As a groundwork for health care technology assessment, we tried to prioritize medical technology for assessment. Among medical technologies, procedure is somewhat difficult to assess, compared to drug or equipment. In this study, we aimed at the prioritisation of medical procedure to be assessed, in terms of efficay, safety, and adequacy. Method : For the standardized classification of medical procedure, ICD-9-CM(International Classification of Diseases 9th edition - Clinical Modification) was used. Among the list the procedures coming under otorhinolaringjology and thoracic surgery were selected by three family physicians. The list of procedure was mailed to the board certified surgeons of both disciplines, with the question asking about the necessity for assessment in terms of efficay, safety, and adequacy. Replied questionnaires were analyzed in each procedure. Results : Of 560 otorhinolaryngologist and 480 thoracic surgeon, 114 surgeons replied. Of otorhinolaryngological procedure, incision, excision, and destruction of inner ear : fenestration of inner ear : stapedectomy and its revision were the most urgent technology to assess in the aspect of safety. For adequacy, operations on Eustachian tube: fenestration of inner ear: incision, excision, and destruction of inner ear were highly ranked in necessity, and for efficary, operations on Eustachian tube; external maxillary antrotomy; fenestration of inner ear. Thoracic surgeons replied thoracic procedures, lung transplantation; heart transplantation; implantation of heart assist system [pump] are most important for evaluation in terms of safety; and heart transplantation; Lung transplantation; Implantation of heart assist system [pump] in terms of adequacy, and surgical collapse of lung [Artificia니 pnemothorax or pnuexoperitoeum]; lung transplantation; periarterial sympathectomy in terms of efficacy. As a whole, surgeons regard safety evaluation is more urgent than adequacy or efficary. In addition, otorhinolaryngological surgeons regard evaluation of their procedures more urgent than thoracic surgeons regard theirs. Conclusion : By the questionnaire to board certified physicians, we get some preliminary data for prioritisation of technologies to assess. Through the questionnaire like this, much information would be gathered for technology assessment, especially for medical procedure, if not enough. In the near future, well structured expert opinion gathering research, such as modified Delphi or nominal group technique, should be done succeedingly.

• Korean Circulation Journal
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• v.52 no.4
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• pp.265-279
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• 2022

Digital health is rapidly growing worldwide and its area is expanding from wellness to treatment due to digital therapeutics (DTx). This study compared DTx in the Korean context with other countries to better understand its political and practical implications. DTx is generally the same internationally, often categorized as software as a medical device. It provides evidence-based therapeutic interventions for medical disabilities and diseases. Abroad, DTx support entailed state subsidies and fundraising and national health insurance coverage. In the case of national health insurance coverage, most cases were applied to mental diseases. Moreover, in Japan, DTx related to hypertension will possibly be under discussion for national health insurance coverage in 2022. In overseas countries, coverage was decided only when the clinical effects were equivalent to those provided by existing technology, and in the UK, real usage data for DTx and associated evaluations were reflected by national health coverage determination. Prices were either determined through closed negotiations with health insurance operating agencies and manufacturers or established based on existing technology. Concerning the current situation, DTx dealing with various diseases including hypertension are expected to be developed near in the future, and the demand for use and compensation will likely increase. Therefore, it is urgent to define and prepare for DTx, relevant support systems, and health insurance coverage listings. Several support systems must be considered, including government subsidies, science/technology funds, and health insurance.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.17-21
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• 2021

In 2020, the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has caused unprecedented disruptions to global health systems. The Korea has taken full-fledged actions against this novel infectious disease, swiftly implementing a testing-tracing-treatment strategy. New obligations have therefore been given to the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) to devote the utmost effort towards tackling this global health crisis. Thanks to the universal national health insurance and state-of-the-art information communications technology (ICT) of the Korea, HIRA has conducted far-reaching countermeasures to detect and treat cases early, prevent the spread of COVID-19, respond quickly to surging demand for the healthcare services, and translate evidence into policy. Three main factors have enabled HIRA to undertake pandemic control preemptively and systematically: nationwide data aggregated from all healthcare providers and patients, pre-existing ICT network systems, and real-time data exchanges. HIRA has maximized the use of data and pre-existing network systems to conduct rapid and responsive measures in a centralized way, both of which have been the most critical tactics and strategies used by the Korean healthcare system. In the face of new obligations, our promise is to strive for a more responsive and resilient health system during this prolonged crisis.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.57 no.6
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• pp.316-324
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• 2019

The new medical technology assessment system has a basic goal of protecting the public's health rights and promoting the development of the new medical technology with safe and effective medical technology that has been scientifically proven. The purpose of this study is to contribute to the activation of the new medical technology evaluation system by analyzing the application cases of the dental field after the implementation of the new medical technology evaluation system and proposing an efficient approach to approach the new medical technology evaluation system. The number of related literature and medical technology evaluation results are not significant in dental applications, the number of cases and the length of follow-up period of the relevant medical technology adopted as the new medical technology was far higher. As the speed of medical technology development increases, medical technology is expected to develop in the dental field as well. To introduce the medical technology to the clinical site, access to the correct direction of evidence is required to collect and objectify data at the medical site in order to prepare a literary basis for the medical technology.

• Journal of the Korea Safety Management & Science
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.23-32
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• 2015

Recently, the Ministry of Labour, published clause 2 of Article 41 (Risk Assessment) of the Act "Industrial Safety and Health" dated 12 June 2013 in connection with continuous increase of accidents at construction sites in order to prevent accidents in industrial safety and health in new construction in accordance with the risk assessment on construction projects are realized after March 13, 2014. In this paper, positive method of calculating risk discussed by performing research the awareness of general contractors and sub-contractors with presenting risky situation is considered. The purpose will be a positive method of calculating risk and would be a sufficient base and give a positive direction in the development of new systems currently working in the construction and risk assessment which consider the characteristics of sufficient risk assessment system for future research.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.256-263
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• 2012

A strain of bacterium producing antifungal antibiotic was isolated and identification of the strain was attempted. We could identify the bacterium as being a Bacillus sp., based on morphological observation, physiological characteristics, and 16S rDNA sequence analysis, thus leading us to designate the strain as Bacillus sp. AH-E-1. The strain showed potent antibiotic activity against phytopathogenic and human pathogenic fungi by inducing mycelial distortion and swelling and inhibiting spore germination. The antibiotic metabolite produced by the strain demonstrated excellent thermal and pH (2-11) stability, but was labile to autoclaving. From these results, we could find a broader antifungal activity of Bacillus genus. Isolation and characterization of the active agent produced by the strain are under progress.

• Smart Structures and Systems
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.135-146
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• 2010

This paper presents the perspective of the Structural Mechanics program of the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR) on the damage assessment of structures for the period 2006-2009 when the author was serving as Program Manager at AFOSR. It is found that damage assessment of structures plays a very important role in assuring the safety and operational readiness of US Air Force fleet. The current fleet has many aging aircraft, which poses a considerable challenge for the operators and maintainers. The nondestructive evaluation technology is rather mature and able to detect damage with considerable reliability during the periodic maintenance inspections. The emerging structural health monitoring methodology has great potential, because it will use on-board damage detection sensors and systems, will be able to offer on-demand structural health bulletins. Considerable fundamental and applied research is still needed to enable the development, implementation, and dissemination of structural health monitoring technology.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3785-3792
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• 2013

This study aimed to discover to what extent ethical issues are considered in the reimbursement decision process based on health technology assessment (HTA) in Korea, especially for oncology medications. Public summary documents (PSDs) published by the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) were analyzed for empirical and normative factors. For external comparison, PSDs presented by corresponding institutions of Australia and the United Kingdom were employed. Furthermore, the opinions of eight expert oncologists were obtained regarding the accountability of the evidence in PSDs. Among 7 oncology drugs, there were differences in the final decisions and empirical factors considered, such as selected comparators and interpretation of evidence between the PSDs from the three institutions. From an ethical viewpoint, the following matters were deficient in the HTA decision-making process for oncology drugs: clear and reasonable standards; identifying and evaluating ethical values; and public accountability for reasonableness about decisions and due process.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Environmental Restoration Technology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.19-29
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to suggest improvements of Eco-Natural map preparation guideline by presenting assessment methods that can be applied to the result of river ecosystem health survey and assessment, using the Geographic Information System. The area for studying is the main stream of the Hwang River where is easy to collect data and available to compare before and after of river assessment. It was reevaluated by reflecting the result of river ecosystem health assessment of the Ministry of Environment. As the result, Eco-Natural map of the study area reflecting the river assessment, the changes in the area ratio by grade have been increased from 1.14% to 14.03% in the first-grade and from 24.64% to 43.91% in the second-grade. It is considered to present more realistic grade due to the assessment of the rivers that have not been reflected in the meantime. Consequently, the result of this study will be useful for establishing the development projects on the rivers, providing the foundation for more realistic and active protection.