• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.142-159
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• 2007

Purpose : This study was undertaken to provide prerequisites for accreditation of medical genetics training program and certification process for medical genetics professionals as clinical specialist and set up guidelines on curriculum of medical genetics training program in Korea. Methods : Six ad hoc committees for clinical geneticist, clinical cytogeneticist, clinical molecular geneticist, clinical biochemical geneticist, medical genetics technologists and genetic counselors were organized for reviewing current status in Korea as well as foreign countries. Each committee is composed of 6-8 members. They summarized their opinions according to the structured questionnaire inquiring the ways of accrediting training program, qualification of program director, trainee requirements, contents of curriculum, duration of training program, certification process, estimation of numbers of each specialist needed in next 5 years in Korea. Results : Both prerequisites for the accreditation of medical geneticist training institutions and qualification of program director are suggested. Candidacy of trainees requires MD with board of medical specialty, or PhD degree with professional experiences in related field except clinical genetics program which only accepts MD with board of medical specialty, and Non-MD genetic counselor and medical technologists with degrees of BS or MS. General duration of fellowship will be 2-3 years depending on the categories they are enrolled into. Contents of curriculum for each speciality training are described. For the certification of each category, the candidacy should submit a log book detailing the cases they experienced during the fellowship, prove that they successfully completed course work and clinical experiences in the accredited program, and pass the written examination. Conclusion : As medical genetics becomes more important in daily routine clinical practice, the accreditation of medical genetics training program and certification of personnel are urgently needed. In this regard, the study will be providing guidelines and prerequisites for accreditation of medical genetics training program and certification process for medical genetics professionals as clinical specialist.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.38-55
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• 2009

Purpose: This study was undertaken to provide the framework for development of a genetic counseling training program, and an accreditation and certification process suitable for non-M.D. genetic counselors in Korea. Materials and Methods: Global standards of genetic counseling curriculums, training program accreditation (TPA), and the certification process for genetic counselors (CPGC) in the U.S.A and Japan were reviewed, and a questionnaire survey was performed to elicit opinions among health-care providers including physicians, nurses, technicians, researchers, and educators. In addition, input from professional communities, including the Korean Society of Medical Genetics (KSMG) and Institute for Genetic Testing Evaluation, was sought in formulating the framework of this study. Results: Comparison of U.S.A. and Japan educational systems showed similarities in curriculum, accreditation, and certification programs. Analysis of 117 respondents opinions showed a high level of agreement in the area of global standards; 88% indicated that KSMG should be in charge of TPA and CPGC, while 77% favored a certification exam composed of both written exam and interview components. Conclusion: Based upon this study we propose that the KSMG should be in charge of providing the TPA and CPGC for non-MD genetic counselors. Requirements for the entrance to a Master's degree genetic counseling program should be open to successful four year undergraduate students in all areas, provided the candidates demonstrate the abilities to master the graduate level of study in human genetics, clinical genetics, statistics, psychology, and other required subjects. Eligibility for certification should include qualified candidates of genetic counseling with no formally approved education, but a sufficient amount of clinical experience, in addition to accredited program graduates. Certification examinations should be carried out every two years and the certification should be good for five years, as is the case in Japan.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.93-104
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• 2009

This short review was aimed to provide the information for the people who are interested in genetic counselor education and certification system in Korea. A large part of this study is indebted to HJ Kim's articles on the genetic counselor system, the global standards of genetic counseling curriculums, training program accreditation (TPA), and a certification process for genetic counselors (CPGC) in the US and Japan. The US and Japanese educational systems showed a high degree of similarities in curriculum, accreditation, and certification programs. Based upon this review, we hereby propose that the Korean Society for Medical Genetics should take a key role in providing the TPA and CPGC for non-MD genetic counselors. Requirement for the entrance to a Master's degree genetic counseling program should be open to successful four year undergraduate students for all areas, provided the candidates demonstrate the abilities to master the graduate level study in human genetics, statistics, psychology, and other required subjects. Besides accredited program graduates, eligibility for certification should also include the qualified candidates of genetic counseling with no formally approved education, but with a sufficient amount of clinical experience.

• Korean Journal of Cleft Lip And Palate
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.11-20
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• 2012

A national wide survey was conducted to assess a present condition in management of cleft and craniofacial anomaly patients and training program of orthodontic residents in Korea. A questionnaire consisting of four categories and 19 question items was distributed to 131 residents of department of orthodontics of eleven dental university hospitals and nine medical university hospitals. The results were as follows:(1) 77.1% of residents are participating in treatment of cleft and craniofacial anomaly patients.(2) Only 47.3% of residents are willing to treat cleft and craniofacial anomaly patients in their future practice.(3) 64.9% of residents responded that they are currently treating one to ten cleft and craniofacial anomaly patients per resident.(4) Most university hospitals offer training programs focusing on embryopathogenesis, growth, and treatment, but training programs about speech and hearing, genetics, and psychosocial development are inadequate.(5) 37.4% of residents are willing to participate in fellowship program for cleft and craniofacial anomaly after finishing the training. Based on the results of this survey, the residents need motivation regarding treatment of cleft and craniofacial anomaly patients, and the educational programs need to be reinforced and reconstructed so that standardization among hospitals can be achieved.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2017

Background: Health care services effort to provide alternative cardiac rehabilitation (CR) models to serve patients according to their preferences and needs. So, the present study aimed to assess and compare the effects of hospital-based and hybrid CR programs on chest pain intensity and discomfort in cardiac surgery patients. Methods: In this prospective study, 110 cardiac surgery patients were invited to the CR department of a hospital in the western part of Iran between March and July 2016. Patients were divided into two groups: hospital-based and hybrid CR. The hospital-based program included 26 sessions, and the hybrid program included 10 training sessions and exercise. The Brief Pain Inventory and Pain Discomfort Scale were used as research instrument, and data were analyzed using the paired t-test and ANCOVA. Results: The results indicated that both hospital-based and hybrid CR are effective in reducing the chest pain intensity and discomfort of cardiac surgery patients (P < 0.05). In addition, the comparison of scores before and after treatment using ANCOVA shows that no significant differences were observed between the two programs (P > 0.05). Conclusions: Traditional hospital-based CR delivery is still the first choice for treatment in developing countries. However, hybrid CR is as effective as a hospital-based program in reducing pain components and it includes only 38% of the total cost in comparison to hospital-based delivery. So, we recommend using hybrid CR according with the recommendations of American Heart Association about using CR for the management of angina symptoms.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.89-99
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• 2011

Over the years Korean health care system has improved in delivery of quality care to the general population for many areas of the health problems. The system is now being recognized in the world as the most cost effective one. It is covered by the uniform national health insurance policy for which most people in Korea are mandatory policy holders. Genetic counseling service, however, which is well recognized as an integral part of clinical genetics service deals with diagnosis and management of genetic condition as well as genetic information presentation and family support, is yet to be delivered in comprehensive way for the patients and families in need. Two major obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system are identified; One is the lack of recognition for the need for genetic counseling service as necessary service by the national health insurance. Genetic counseling consumes a significant time in delivery and the current very low-fee schedule for physician service makes it very difficult to provide meaningful service. Second is the critical shortage of qualified professionals in the field of medical genetics and genetic counseling who can provide the service of genetic counseling in clinical setting. However, recognition and understanding of the fact that the scope and role of genetic counseling is expanding in post genomic era of personalized medicine for delivery of quality health care, will lead to the efforts to overcome obstacles in providing genetic counseling service in korean health care system. Only concerted efforts from health care policy makers of government on clinical genetics service and genetic counseling for establishing adequate reimbursement coverage and professional communities for developing educational program and certification process for professional genetic counselors, are necessary for the delivery of much needed clinical genetic counseling service in Korea.