• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제24권4호
• /
• pp.485-495
• /
• 1991

This study examined the effects of referral requirements for insurance patients which have been enforced since July 1, 1989 when medical insurance coverage was extended to the whole population except beneficiaries of medical assistance program. The requirements are mainly aimed at discouraging the use of tertiary care hospitals by imposing restrictions on the patient's choice of a medical service facility. The expectation is that such change in the pattern of medical care utilization would produce several desirable effects including increased efficiency in patient care and balanced development of various types of medical service facilities. In this study, these effects were assessed by the change in the number of out-patient visits and bed-days per illness episode and the share of each type of facility in the volume of services and the amount of expenditures after the implementation of the new referral system. The data for analysis were obtained from the claims to the insurance for government and school employees. The sample was drawn from the claims for the patients treated during the first six months of 1989, prior to the enforcement of referral requirements, and those of the patients treated during the first six months of 1990, after the enforcement. The 1989 sample included 299,824 claims (3.6% of total) and the 1990 sample included 332,131 (3.7% of total). The data were processed to make the unit of analysis an illness episode instead of an insurance claim. The facilities and types of care utilized for a given illness episode are defined to make up the pathway of medical care utilization. This pathway was conceived of as a Markov Chain process for further analysis. The conclusion emerged from the analysis is that the enforcement of referral requirements resulted in less use of tertiary care hospitals, and thereby decreased the volume of services and the amount of insurance expenses per illness episode. However, there are a few points that have to be taken into account in relation to the conclusion. The new referral system is likely to increase the use of medical services not covered by insurance, so that its impact on national health expenditures would be different from that on insurance expenditures. The extension of insurance coverage must have inereased patient load for all types of medical service organizations, and this increase may be partly responsible for producing the effects attributed to the new referral system. For example, excessive patient load for tertiary care hospitals may lead to the transfer of their patients to other types of facilities. Another point is that the data for this study correspond to very early phase of the new system. But both patients and medical care providers would adapt themselves to the new system to avoid or overcome its disadvantages for them, so as that its effects could change over time. Therefore, it is still necessary to closely monitor the impact of the referral requirements.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제17권1호
• /
• pp.25-33
• /
• 1992

Most of oriental medical care resources such as doctors and facilities are distributed in urban areas and approximately ten percent of them is in rural areas. However the aged population of over 60 years old in rural areas is higher than that in urban and these aged population prefer more oriental medical care than the other age group. Therefore, the government planned to carry out the oriental medical care demonstration project in a designated rural areas in 1990. The study was carried out to find out the utilization pattern of medical care and consumers attitude toward oriental medical care treatment provided by health centers. The interview survey was applied to collect the data and 187 patients, who visited to health centers to receive care in 1991, were selected by random sampling. The study results obtained were as follows : 1) Among the 187 respondents, male was 31.6% and female, 68.4%. 2) 73.8% of the respondents were the age of over 45 years old. 3) For the motivation of visiting the health center to receive oriental medical care, 37.4% of the respondents visited purposely according to announcement of oriental medical care and 26.2% of them made a decision by themself 20.3% of them was recommended by the neighbors. 4) The most frequent symptoms surveyed were the disease of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue. 5) By the subjective judgement of the respondents from the result of the oriental medical treatment, recovered or improved cases represent 69.5%. It is considered that the oriental medical care was acceptable, and also the respondents were satisfied with the oriental medical care in terms of kindness of oriental medical doctors, treatment time and expenses of care.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제18권1호
• /
• pp.77-91
• /
• 1993

농촌지역 주민들의 보건의료원에 대한 인식도 및 이용양상을 파악하여 보건의료원 제도와 관련된 연구에 기초자료를 제공하고자 1990년 9월 24일부터 90년 9월 28일 까지 5일간 정상북도 울진군 소재 국민학교 3개교와 중학교 3개교의 학부모들에게 설문지를 배부, 회수된 832가구의 가구원 754명을 대상으로 분석한 결과를 요약하면 다음과 같다. 응답자는 남자 60.3%, 여자 39.7%였고 연령은 30, 40대가 81.3%로 대부분을 차지하였으며, 교육수준은 고졸이 40.3%, 의료보장형태로는 지역의료보험이 44.1%를 차지하였다. 응답자의 58.4%가 보건의료원이라는 명칭을 알고 있었는데, 응답자의 학력과 수입이 높을 수록 그리고 거주지역이 보건의료원에 근접한 지역일수록 보건의료원에 대한 인식도가 높았다(p<0.01). 보건의료원의 진료사업 내용중에서 의료보호대 상자 진료와 치과진료를, 각각 35.1%와 31.0%가 알고 있었으며, 보건예방서비스 사업에서는 예방접종사업을 36.1%로 가장 많이 인지하고 있었는데, 학력과 지리적 근접도가 높을수록 보건의료원의 사업내용 인지도는 높게 나타났다. 보건의료원의 연간 외래이용율과 예방서비스 이용율은 대상자 100명당 11.1회 및 4.5회였으며, 입원이용율은 10,000명당 34.6회였다. 보건의료원 이용동기는 잘나아서(45.7%), 약이 좋아서 (45.2%), 거리가 가까워서(42.9%) 순이었다. 일반병의원과 비교해서 보건의료원의 진료수준이 더 좋다고 응답한 이용자는 16.3% 였고, 더 못하다는 19.0%였다. 또한 보건의료원의 진료비가 저렴하다고 한 응답자는 61.5%인데 비해 비싸다고한 경우는 3.9%였다. 보건의료원 이용시의 교통수단으로는 도보가 55.0%, 버스가 35.5%로 대부분이었다. 보건의료원 이용시 느낀 불편사항으로는 장시간 대기가 46.7%로 가장 많았고, 그 다음으로 이용시간이 제한되어 있어서가 17.8%였다. 보건의료원을 한번도 이용하지 않은 이유로는 아픈적이 없어서가 33.5%, 교통이 불편하고 거리가 멀어서가 28.0%, 장시간 대기한다고 해서가 12.8%순으로 나타났다. 이상과 같이 아직도 보건의료원에 대한 인식이 낮고, 잘못 인식하고 있는 주민이 많기 때문에 보건의료원에 대한 전반적인 홍보가 필요할 것으로 보이며, 보건의료원의 이용율을 높이기 위해서는 의료시설, 장비확충과 더불어 의료진의 보강이 필요하고 관리의 효율성도 고려해야 할 것으로 생각된다.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제49권4호
• /
• pp.230-239
• /
• 2016

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the effect of geographic units of analysis on measuring geographic variation in medical services utilization. For this purpose, we compared geographic variations in the rates of eight major procedures in administrative units (districts) and new areal units organized based on the actual health care use of the population in Korea. Methods: To compare geographic variation in geographic units of analysis, we calculated the age-sex standardized rates of eight major procedures (coronary artery bypass graft surgery, percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, surgery after hip fracture, knee-replacement surgery, caesarean section, hysterectomy, computed tomography scan, and magnetic resonance imaging scan) from the National Health Insurance database in Korea for the 2013 period. Using the coefficient of variation, the extremal quotient, and the systematic component of variation, we measured geographic variation for these eight procedures in districts and new areal units. Results: Compared with districts, new areal units showed a reduction in geographic variation. Extremal quotients and inter-decile ratios for the eight procedures were lower in new areal units. While the coefficient of variation was lower for most procedures in new areal units, the pattern of change of the systematic component of variation between districts and new areal units differed among procedures. Conclusions: Geographic variation in medical service utilization could vary according to the geographic unit of analysis. To determine how geographic characteristics such as population size and number of geographic units affect geographic variation, further studies are needed.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제15권2호
• /
• pp.118-129
• /
• 1990

Socioeconomic status in this county progressed rapidly, this has brought about many changes in health care fields, namely, pattern of disease prevalence and morbidity, increase of the aged people, and also availability of health care in rural areas. According to the utilization study of medical care, it showed that the oriental medicine is used for the treatment of lasted chronic disease not the minor and common diseases which is quick in its effect. Particularly, in rural areas. prevalence of chronic disease is higher than that in urban areas. Although the health cafe need of the oriental medicine is high in rural areas, the distribution of manpower and facilities is lower than that in urban areas. Therefore the government has planned to implement the demonstration project for the oriental medicine at the designated 3 health centers in rural areas. The purpose of this study was to collect the utilization level of oriental medical care of the people in rural areas. To meet the purpose of this study, patient interview were applied. 790 patients visited to health center in project areas were selected and analyzed by experienced interviewers from 2 April to 21 April 1990. The major findings of this study were as follows ; 1) Of the 790 patients, 32.6 percent of the respondents had experience of using the oriental medicine. As for the utilization by age and sex. 54.8% of those was female and 70.7% was 40 years of age and more. 2) Reaction to the question of educational achievement showed that on schooling and primary school graduates accounted for 63.1%. 3) The most user of oriental medicine resides in country level, where the health center is located, and 80 percent of those users resides within 10Km. 4) More than 50% of the total was the chronic diseases which lingered for more than 3months. 5) 32.6 percent of the total cases used the oriental medicine. 61.2% among those was treated by oriental medical care hospital and 38.8% by oriental drug dispensaries etc. 6) The contont of oriental medical care varied ; 50.1% for prescription of herb drugs for treatment, 25.1% for health maintenance and 23.9% for acupuncture, moxibustion etc. 7) As for the motivation for using the oriental medicine. 56.6% of the respondents was for treatment of diseases and 27.9% wes for strengthening the physical weakness. 8) As for the effectiveness of the oriental medicine. 70.3% of the total cases satisfied with that treatment and 84.2% of the total cases will use the oriental medicine when is provided by health center.

• 대한예방한의학회지
• /
• 제20권1호
• /
• pp.19-28
• /
• 2016

Objectives : This study is to research on usage patterns, recognition of system to Korean medicine among high school students who are the potential future medical consumer. Methods : Based on the questionnaire used by KIHASA(Korea Institute for Health and Social Affairs) in 2011 and KHIDI(Korea Health Industry Development Institute) in 2014, modifications were made to make questionnaire more suitable for this research. This self-administered questionnaire was conducted among 1,025 highschool students of 3 high schools in Ulsan city on september, 2015. Except 19 cases which considered statistically insignificant or with unreliable responses, 1,007 cases were analyzed by p-paired test and ANOVA test through the SPSS 22.0 for Win program. Results : Most of the high school students(66.5%) do not have an experience on Korean medical care. The number of students' first experience on Korean medical care is the largest during their elementary school (34.9%), which means the treatment was mostly for restorative reasons like growth care. The later the time of their first experience on Korean medical care, the higher ratio was shown on their recent utilization of Korean medical care. Korean medicine was rarely covered in most cases of public health education at school, and this public health education and usage pattern on Korean medicine have positive correlation. Compared 'Group who have used Korean medical care in 1 years except recent 3 months' to the 'Group who have used Korean medical care in 3 recent months', the former showed higher recognition in Korean medical care and insurance system. Conclusions : The proportion of Korean medicine is as low as 4.5% to whole medical market, and most of the consumers are senior. In addition, the aging phenomenon of Korean medical consumer have been continued. This specialized study on usage patterns and recognition among youth can be the basic research data which can be used for promotion, education and establishment of health policy and health care system.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제2권1호
• /
• pp.21-29
• /
• 1999

목 적: 학동기 소아들의 반복성 복통의 발생빈도, 임상증상, 의료기관 이용양상, 선택기준 및 관련된 요인을 조사하여 반복성 복통 환아의 특징, 증상의 발현 및 유지에 영향을 줄 수 있는 요인을 알아보고, 반복성 복통 환아의 의료기관 이용양상과 문제점을 파악하여 향후 치료를 위한 기초 자료를 제공하고자 실시하였다. 방 법: 1998년 6월 광주시내 초등학교 학부모 1417명을 대상으로 반복성 복통의 발생빈도, 임상증상, 의료기관 이용양상을 알아보기 위하여 설문조사를 실시하였다. 결 과: 1) 총응답자는 1417명, 남자 715명, 여자 702명이었고, 남녀비 1.02:1 평균나이는 10.3세였다. 2) 반복성 복통증의 발생 빈도는 18.9%이었다. 남자는 18.4%, 여자는 19.2%였다. 복통의 지속시간은 10분 이내가 68.5%였다. 3) 정확한 진단을 받지 못한 경우가 62.5%였고, 66.3%가 치료를 받았고, 67.5%가 치료시 증상 호전을 보였다. 민간요법을 실시한 경우도 66%를 차지하였다. 4) 치료 의료기관은 소아과 35.2%로 많았으나, 약국 및 내과의 이용률도 30%정도를 차지하였다. 연령이 증가함에 따라 소아과 이용률이 감소하고 내과의 이용율이증가하였다. 의료기관의 선택기준은 거리의 근접성이 36.3%로 가장 많았고, 의료인의 친절도, 치료의 질 순이었다. 5) 동반증상은 55.5%에서 있었고, 두통이 30.9%로 가장 많았고, 흉통, 현기증, 구토 순이었고, 동반 증상이 없는 경우도 44.5%였다. 6) 반복성 복통의 발생시기는 하루 중 식후가 35.3%로 가장 많았고, 식사전, 수업중 순이었다. 주내 변동은 월요일이 21.4%로 가장 많았으며, 점차 감소하여 토요일이 가장 낮았다. 7) 복통의 발생부위는 배꼽주위가 38%로 가장 많았고, 심와부 등 중앙부에 위치하였으며, 통증의 성격은 작열통이 36.9%로 가장 많았다. 결 론: 반복성 복통 환아는 대부분 정확한 진단을 받지 못하고, 전문적인 치료없이 대증적인 치료 및 민간요법이 많이 시행되고 있었다. 연령이 증가함에 따라 소아과 이외의 타과의 이용률이 증가하였다. 반복성 복통에 대한 올바른 이해와 함께 정확한 진단 및 전문적인 의료기관의 선택이 필요하고 이에 대한 홍보 및 대응책이 필요하다.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
• /
• 제15권1호
• /
• pp.28-40
• /
• 1990

Rapid industrialization has induced the migration of rural people to urban areas. Such migration has created enlarged the existing low income group. Residents of low income area have increased health risk owing to their poor living environment, low income. overwork and inappropriate health care. The general objective of this study was to group the pattern of medical care utilization of low income group. The specific objectives were to identify disease prevalence and medical care utilization of low income group. To meet the objectives of this study, household interview method was applied. A total of 1845 households in 5 areas such as Bongchon 5th Dong, Bongchon 2nd Dong, Sanggae 5th Dong, Sanggae 4th Dong, and Shinrim 7th Dong were visited and interviewed by field team during the period from April 19 to May 3. 1989. The major findings obtained from the information collected were as follows : The Number of room per household used was one to two rooms. The employment state of the head of household disclosed that 88.6% had a job and the remaining 11.4% were unemployed. The average monthly income was 502,770won. however, 30% of the total income was less than 300,000 won in Bongchon 5th dong area. and 34.5% in Shinrim 7th Dong area. 41.3% of households had debts, which was consisted of household expense(33.4%), income formulation(22.7%) and medical care cost(15.9%) etc. Prevalence rate of diseases during the preceding 30days before the date of the household interview was 387.7 per 1000 persons. The prevalence rate of female was higher than that of male. 8.9% of the sick persons wasn't receiving any medical treatment, and the main reasons of which were lack of economic availability(43.3%) and feeling of non treatment needed(33.7%). According to the study results it was found that the prevalence rate of chroic diseases and the disabled in low income resident areas was higher than that in the other areas. Therefore, the health status of this group should be improved through PHC approaches. In addition. in order to prevent the diseases and promote the health of those people, the health center as well as health subcenter should be strengthened.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제32권4호
• /
• pp.546-555
• /
• 1999

Objectives : To determine the prevalence, pattern. and out-of-pocket expenditure of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) utilization in Korean adult population. Methods : We conducted a representative telephone survey of 2,042 persons aged 18 or older. Data about any health problem, details of their use of medical doctors(MDs) offices/hospitals/pharmacies services and CAM during the preceding 12 months were collected with structured questionnaire. Results : The utilization rate of CAM among Korean adults was 29% in one year. A total of 231 kinds of CAM was identified from this survey. Annual out-of-pocket expenditure associated with CAM use in 1998 amounted to ${\xi}{\S}1.88$ billion and was comparable to 40.8% of out-of-pocket expenditure paid for MDs offices/hospitals/pharmacies services. Among those(N=424) who paid for both MDs offices/hospitals/pharmacies services an d CAM, 35.8% paid more for CAM. CAM gave more satisfaction than western medicine to those who had experience of both types of therapy. About half of CAM users were willing to recommend CAM to others. Disclosure rate to physician among CAM users was not high(40.6%). Conclusion : CAM became a popular source of health care in Korea, Korean spent a substantial amount of out-of-pocket money on CAM without any public control. Because CAM use is likely to be increased rapidly through lay referral system, health policy makers and health professionals should pay more attention to CAM for making appropriate utilization of CAM.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제26권4호
• /
• pp.599-613
• /
• 1993

농촌지역의 모성을 대상으로 산전관리서비스 이용양상과 그 결정요인을 규명하기 위하여 서부 경남 3개군(합천군, 사천군, 진양군)에서 1990년 7월 1일부터 1991년 6월 30일 사이에 분만한 모성 1,489명중 65.5%인 976명을 훈련된 면보건요원들이 1992년 1월 3일에서 1992년 2월 15일사이에 면담조사하였다. 의료서비스 이용의 관련요인을 포괄적으로 포함하는 Anderson의 의료이용 행태모형을 기본분석모형으로 하고 종속변수는 산전진찰의 회수, 그것을 설명하는 독립변수로는 의료요구요인, 개인의 속성요인, 가능성요인 그리고 기타요인의 변수들을 설정하였다. 조사대상자들의 산전진찰 수진율은 97.3%로 높은 편이었으나 10회 이상의 수진율은 20.6%로 전문가에 의해 추천되는 정상임신시 $10{\sim}12$회의 산전진찰회수에는 미흡하였다. 산전진찰의 저이용(미수진 또는 4회 이하의 수진)은 모성의 낮은 교육수준, 출생아의 출생순위가 두번째 이상, 의료보호 대상자, 의원이 없는 지역, 임신중 진단된 질병이 없을 때 그리고 모성의 직업이 농업인 경우 등과 관련이 있었다. 그러나 거주지 군의 변수(즉 지역내 모자보건센터 유무)는 유의한 관련성이 없었다. 산전진찰의 저이용은 인구학적 변수라 할 수 있는 출생아의 출생순위, 의료요구요인인 임신중 진단된 질병의 유무와도 높은 관련성이 있기는 하나, 더 많은 부분이 어머니의 교육수준, 어머니의 직업이라는 사회구조적 요인과 의료보장의 종류, 지역내 의원의 유무라는 가능성요인과 관련이 있어 균점을 이루지 못하고 있다. 또 변경성이란 견지에서 보면 변경성이 높은 가능성요인에 의해서 상당부분 설명되고 있어 보건정책적으로 해결 가능성이 있는 것을 시사한다. 예를 들면 의료보호 대상자와 의원이 없는 지역 산모들의 산전진찰 서비스의 접근성을 높히는 방안을 마련하는 것을 고려할 수 있다.