• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제55권6호
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• pp.539-548
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• 2022

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to assess the organizational effectiveness of the introduction of a healthcare information system (electronic medical records and databases) in healthcare in Kazakhstan. Methods: The authors used a combination of 2 methods: expert assessment and strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis. SWOT analysis is a necessary element of research, constituting a mandatory preliminary stage both when drawing up strategic plans and for taking corrective measures in the future. The expert survey was conducted using 2 questionnaires. Results: The study involved 40 experts drawn from specialists in primary healthcare in Aktobe: 15 representatives of administrative and managerial personnel (chief doctors and their deputies, heads of medical statistics offices, organizational and methodological offices, and internal audit services) and 25 general practitioners. Conclusions: The following functional indicators of the medical and organizational effectiveness of the introduction of information systems in polyclinics were highlighted: first, improvement of administrative control, followed in descending order by registration and movement of medical documentation, statistical reporting and process results, and the cost of employees' working time. There has been no reduction in financial costs, namely in terms of the costs of copying, delivery of information in paper form, technical equipment, and paper.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.76-84
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• 2022

Purpose: We compared cost-effectiveness parameters between inpatient and home-based hospice-palliative care services for terminal cancer patients in Korea. Methods: A decision-analytic Markov model was used to compare the cost-effectiveness of hospice-palliative care in an inpatient unit (inpatient-start group) and at home (home-start group). The model adopted a healthcare system perspective, with a 9-week horizon and a 1-week cycle length. The transition probabilities were calculated based on the reports from the Korean National Cancer Center in 2017 and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service in 2020. Quality of life (QOL) was converted to the quality-adjusted life week (QALW). Modeling and cost-effectiveness analysis were performed with TreeAge software. The weekly medical cost was estimated to be 2,481,479 Korean won (KRW) for inpatient hospice-palliative care and 225,688 KRW for home-based hospice-palliative care. One-way sensitivity analysis was used to assess the impact of different scenarios and assumptions on the model results. Results: Compared with the inpatient-start group, the incremental cost of the home-start group was 697,657 KRW, and the incremental effectiveness based on QOL was 0.88 QALW. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of the home-start group was 796,476 KRW/QALW. Based on one-way sensitivity analyses, the ICER was predicted to increase to 1,626,988 KRW/QALW if the weekly cost of home-based hospice doubled, but it was estimated to decrease to -2,898,361 KRW/QALW if death rates at home doubled. Conclusion: Home-based hospice-palliative care may be more cost-effective than inpatient hospice-palliative care. Home-based hospice appears to be affordable even if the associated medical expenditures double.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.65-73
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• 2021

Background: With the recent aging of the population, the transition to a disease structure centered on chronic diseases is accelerating. Moreover, the socio-economic gap and the polarization of the health gap between regions further increase the burden of disease on the country. Accordingly, this study calculated the disease cost of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia, which are the three major chronic diseases, to establish an effective health promotion policy strategy for each region, and analyzed the gap in disease cost within the region to determine health determinants at the individual as well as the regional level. Methods: This study utilized data from the 2015 sample cohort of the National Health Insurance Service and calculated the disease cost of patients (diabetes: I10-I15, hypertension: E10-E14, hyperlipidemia: E78) based on the main diagnosis. Results: Based on our analysis, the case of medical use in cities and provinces was higher than in metropolitan cities, with relatively small medical use in Seoul and Gangwon-do. In terms of the disease cost, the cost of chronic diseases in Seoul and Jeju was the highest, but the difference in disease cost between patients in each region was the largest in Seoul and Gangwon-do. Conclusion: The results of this study provide meaningful data for implementing efficient health promotion policies by analyzing the differences in disease cost and identifying health determinants in different regions. Furthermore, in Korea, where socioeconomic differences are clearly revealed, it can be used as a basis for preparing a strategic plan, from a long-term perspective, to improve the health of patients with chronic diseases in the future.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.200-231
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• 2000

The price systems of the hospital drug services play key roles in the provision of quality services and the development of pharmacy service technologies. Under the premises, this study attempted to determine the costs of hospital drug service, to compare the costs calculated with the fees publicly fixed by the Government, and based on the results of the analysis, to propose directions for the improvement of the price systems. A Costing model for the study was developed based on the cost-fee relationship analysed of the Korean fee-for-service systems. Data on costs and workloads of the 25 hospitals were collected through survey forms designed for the costing' and analysis for the duration of 12 months of 1998. The results of the analysis show that a tremendous unbalance between cost and price levels of the drug services, and that overally the price level of the services is extremely low when compared to the costs of services. Based on these findings, this study suggests that unfairly high or low price level be corrected, and that service items newly developed and being practiced at tertiary hospitals, such as TDM and TPN consultation services, be compensated by fixing a proper level of price.

• 한국산학기술학회논문지
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• 제9권2호
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• pp.535-543
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• 2008

본 연구에서는 그 동안 많은 조사비용에도 불구하고 원가분석연구의 단점으로 지적되어왔던 적은 표본수와 신뢰성 문제를 해결하고 보다 적은 비용으로 한의원 환산지수를 산출할 수 있는 방법론을 개발하였다. 널리 공시되어 있고 쉽게 구할 수 있는 대규모 자료에 기반을 둠으로써 분석의 공정성과 검증가능성을 확보할 수 있었다. 그러나 공시된 자료의 종류에 따라 환산지수 차이가 발생하므로 공시된 자료를 이용한 분석과 표본 추출에 의한 원가분석을 병행해서 사용할 필요성이 있다. 보다 근본적으로는 합리적인 수가 산출을 위해서는 한의원과 관련된 원가정보를 포함하는 보건 의료 통계시스템 구축이 매우 절실하다.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.23-48
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to provide criteria which help executives to make decisions through the analysis of profitability of ultrasonography conducted in each medical department. In order to achieve such purpose, the study conducted break-even analyses on three medical departments of a university hospital in which has used ultrasonography was largely conducted in diagnosing diseases and performing surgeries. The research was carried out from January to June 2008. The data necessary for calculating cost, were collected using by computerized data. The results of the study were summarized as follows. 1. The Cost structure of each medical department: The Cost of ultrasonography was divided into direct cost and indirect cost through the categorization by cost object. Labor cost accounted for the largest portion of the direct cost with 69.3% in the department of obstetrics and gynecology, 67.4% in the department of radiology and 58.2% in the cardiac ultrasonography center, which followed by the depreciation cost of ultrasonography equipment. The calculation of the average material cost of each ultrasonographic test by medical test found that the cardiac ultrasonography center took first place with 2,355 won, followed by the department of obstetrics and gynecology with 266 won and the department of radiology with 233 won. As for the power cost of ultrasonography equipment, the department of radiology took fist place with 442,000 won. The power cost, however, did not affect much the cost price, because it accounted for only a small portion of the cost. As for indirect cost, the cardiac ultrasonography center ranked first with 7,156,000 won. Building depreciation cost accounted for the largest portion of the indirect cost. 2. Break-even analysis: Under the supposition that cost price can be divided into fixed cost and variable cost, a break-even analysis was conducted using the cost price confirmed through the cost structure of each medical department. As for the average customary charge of ultrasonography test conducted in each medical department, the department of obstetrics and gynecology charged 24,627 won, the department of radiology 53,179 won and the cardiac ultrasonography center 65,174 won. According to these results, the charges of ultrasonography test imposed by the department of radiology and the cardiac ultrasonography center wre enough to surpass break-even levels, but the charge imposed by the department of obstetrics and gynecology was not enough to offset the cost price. In conclusion, labor cost accounted for the largest proportion of cost price of ultrasonography test conducted in diagnosing diseases and performing surgeries in medical departments, followed by the fixed cost of ultrasonographic equipment depreciation cost. In medical department where the current charge of ultrasonography test turned out not to offset cost price through the break-even analysis of ultrasonographic equipment, ways to reduce fixed cost which accounts for the largest proportion of the cost price should be sought. Even medical departments whose current charge of ultrasonography test is enough to surpass break-even level are required to work for efficient management and cost reduction to continuously generate profits.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제49권4호
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• pp.183-196
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• 2016

Objectives: There is no systematic review on economic evaluations of telemedicine in Japan, despite over 1000 trials implemented. Our systematic review aims to examine whether Japan's telemedicine is cost-saving or cost-effective, examine the methodological rigorousness of the economic evaluations, and discuss future studies needed to improve telemedicine's financial sustainability. Methods: We searched five databases, including two Japanese databases, to find peer-reviewed articles published between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2014 in English and Japanese that performed economic evaluations of Japan's telemedicine programs. The methodological rigorousness of the economic analyses was assessed with a well-established checklist. We calculated the benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) when a reviewed study reported related data but did not report the BCR. All cost values were adjusted to 2014 US dollars. Results: Among the 17 articles identified, six studies reported on settings connecting physicians for specialist consultations, and eleven studies on settings connecting healthcare providers and patients at home. There are three cost-benefit analyses and three cost-minimization analyses. The remaining studies measured the benefit of telemedicine only, using medical expenditure saved or users' willingness-to-pay. There was substantial diversity in the methodological rigorousness. Studies on teledermatology and teleradiology indicated a favorable level of economic efficiency. Studies on telehomecare gave mixed results. One cost-benefit analysis on telehomecare indicated a low economic efficiency, partly due to public subsidy rules, e.g., a too short budget period. Conclusions: Overall, telemedicine programs in Japan were indicated to have a favorable level of economic efficiency. However, the scarcity of the economic literature indicates the need for further rigorous economic evaluation studies.

• 대한의사협회지
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• 제61권12호
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• pp.765-775
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• 2018

With growing interest in novel digital healthcare devices, such as artificial intelligence (AI) software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and their potential impacts on healthcare, discussions have taken place regarding the regulatory approval, coverage, and clinical implementation of these devices. Despite their potential, 'digital exceptionalism' (i.e., skipping the rigorous clinical validation of such digital tools) is creating significant concerns for patients and healthcare stakeholders. This white paper presents the positions of the Korean Society of Radiology, a leader in medical imaging and digital medicine, on the clinical validation, regulatory approval, coverage decisions, and clinical implementation of novel digital healthcare devices, especially AI software for medical diagnosis and prediction, and explains the scientific principles underlying those positions. Mere regulatory approval by the Food and Drug Administration of Korea, the United States, or other countries should be distinguished from coverage decisions and widespread clinical implementation, as regulatory approval only indicates that a digital tool is allowed for use in patients, not that the device is beneficial or recommended for patient care. Coverage or widespread clinical adoption of AI software tools should require a thorough clinical validation of safety, high accuracy proven by robust external validation, documented benefits for patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness. The Korean Society of Radiology puts patients first when considering novel digital healthcare tools, and as an impartial professional organization that follows scientific principles and evidence, strives to provide correct information to the public, make reasonable policy suggestions, and build collaborative partnerships with industry and government for the good of our patients.

• 한국콘텐츠학회논문지
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• 제18권11호
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• pp.462-474
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• 2018

생체 감지기술 발달은 그동안 거대한 전문 의료기기에서만 가능했던 다양한 생체 정보 수집을 간편하게 가능케 하였다. 센서 소형화는 진단기기의 휴대성을 높여 기존에 병원에 직접 가서 해야만 했던 다양한 건강 진단을 생활 속에서 간편히 수행할 수 있게 하였다. 스마트폰 같은 휴대기기에 센서를 결합하거나, 첨단 IOT(Internet of Things, 사물인터넷) 기술을 적용해 체내 삽입형, 혹은 부착 가능한 초소형 모듈 등 의료기기의 새로운 폼팩터를 만들어냈다. 또한, 측정결과를 스마트폰 등 휴대용 정보기기를 통해 즉시 확인할 수도 있다. 아직 국내에서는 상용화가 더디게 이루어지고 있지만, 미국 등 원격의료 서비스를 허용한 나라에서는 이 분야에서 다양한 양상으로 신기술 적용이 이루어지고 있다. 세계적으로 가장 빠르게 고령화가 진행 중인 대한민국에서 의료수요, 공급, 그리고 비용 문제는 점점 커지고 있다. 이런 상황에서 새로운 건강관리 개념인 스마트 헬스케어가 기존의 의료체계를 보완할 수 있을지 크게 주목받고 있다. 본 연구는 스마트 헬스케어와 관련된 기술 동향을 확인하고, 다양한 헬스케어 제품을 UX 디자인적 측면에서 유형화하였다. 또한, 스마트 헬스케어 기술을 대상 사용자인 노인에게 적용하기 위한 UX 디자인 접근방법과 지침을 제시하였다. 본 연구가 새로운 사회적 문제인 고령사회 헬스케어 문제 해결에 돌파구가 될 UX 디자인 분야의 기반자료가 되기를 기대한다.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.355-361
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• 2010

This paper addresses a mathematical approach to decision making in a real-world material distribution situation. The problem is characterized by a low-volume and highly-varied mix of products, therefore there is a lot of material movement between the facilities. This study focuses especially on the transportation scheduler with a tool that can be used to quantitatively analyze the volume of material moved, the type of truck to be used, production schedules, and due dates. In this research, we have developed a mixed integer programming problem using the minimum cost, multiperiod, multi-commodity network flow approach that minimizes the overall material movement costs. The results suggest that the optimization approach provides a set of feasible solution routes with the objective of reducing the overall fleet cost.