• Title/Summary/Keyword: Medical humanities

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Antibacterial and therapeutic effects of a combination of Sophora flavescens and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer ethanol extracts on mice infected with Streptococcus pyogenes

  • Yu, Eun-Ah;Cha, Chun-Nam;Park, Eun-Kee;Yoo, Chang-Yeul;Kim, Suk;Lee, Hu-Jang
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.54 no.3
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    • pp.189-192
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    • 2014
  • This study evaluated the antibacterial effects of a mixture of Sophorae radix and Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fischer (1 : 1) ethanol extracts (SGE) on mice infected with Streptococcus (S.) pyogenes. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration of SGE necessary for antibacterial effects against S. pyogenes were $20{\mu}g/mL$. Based on the time-kill curves for S. pyogenes, SGE was effective at $4{\times}$ MIC after 16 h. On Day 12 after challenge, the survival rate of mice treated with 2.0 mg/kg SGE was 60%. In conclusion, SGE had potent in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities against S. pyogenes.

Effects of Surgery Volume on In Hospital Mortality of Cancer Patients in General Hospitals (종합병원 암 종별 수술량이 병원 내 사망에 미치는 영향)

  • Youn, Kyung-Il
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.24 no.3
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    • pp.271-282
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    • 2014
  • Background: Although the mortality rate in cancers has been decreased recently, it is still one of the leading causes of death in most of the countries. This study analyzed the relationship between surgery volume and in hospital mortality of cancer patients. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship in Korean healthcare environment and to provide information for the policy development in reducing cancer mortality. Methods: The study sample was the 20,517 cancer patients who underwent surgery and discharged during a month period between 2008-2011. The data were collected in Patient Survey by Korean Institute of Social Affairs. Logistic regression was used to analyse a comprehensive analytic model that includes a binary dependent variable indicating death discharge and independent variables such as surgery volume, organizational characteristics of hospitals, socio-economical characteristics of the patients, and severity of disease indicators. Results: In chi-square test, as the surgery volume increases, the in-hospitals mortality showed a downward trends. In regression analysis, the relationship between surgery volume and mortality showed significant negative associations in all types of cancer except for pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: In the absence of other information patients undergoing cancer surgery can reduce their risk of operative death by selecting a high-volume hospital. Therefore, policies to enhance centralization of cancer surgery services should be considered.

Individual Characteristics Associated with the Market Size Change of Private Health Insurance Premium in Korea (민간의료보험 시장 규모 변동에 영향을 미치는 개인 특성)

  • You, Chang-Hoon;Kang, Sung-Wook;Kwon, Young-Dae
    • The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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    • v.6 no.2
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    • pp.165-177
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    • 2012
  • This study examined market size of private health insurance premium and individual characteristics associated with the market size change in Korea, using wave 1 (2008) and wave 2 (2009) of Korea Health Panel. The market size was 24.4 trillion Korean won in 2008 and 26.9 trillion in 2009. The increase rate of private health insurance premium among those who were the elderly, single, or the poor was higher than that among their counterpart respectively. Health status and utilization were insignificant in determining the increase rate of private health insurance premium. These findings were more obvious among the uninsured in 2008 than among the insured in 2008. The increase of private health insurance premium in Korea imply the increase of willingness-to-pay for health risk through private sector. The authors suggest policy intervention for accessability to health care for the underprivileged and weak through enlargement of Korean social health insurance benefit.

Comparison of Health Care Utilization Patterns and Length of Stay Determinants between Fracture Patients with Workers' Compensation Insurance and National Health Insurance (건강보험 환자와 비교한 산재환자의 의료이용 행태와 재원일수 결정요인: 일부 골절환자를 중심으로)

  • Youn, Kyung-Il
    • The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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    • v.9 no.4
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    • pp.131-144
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    • 2015
  • Objectives : This study investigated the health care utilization patterns and length of stay (LOS) determinants of fracture patients with workers' compensation insurance (WCI) and national health insurance (NHI). Methods : The discharge summary data of 4,394 WCI fracture patients were compared to 28,874 NHI patients. Health care utilization characteristics were compared with a logistic regression analysis, and the LOS determinants were identified with linear regression analysis. Results : The average LOS of the WCI fracture patients was 2.4 times higher than that of the NHI patients. WCI patients used more small or medium sized hospitals, and were more frequently admitted through the emergency room. Females, older patients and patients admitted through emergency room had a significant positive impact on LOS. Conclusions : Healthcare utilization by the WCI fracture patients may include medically unnecessary hospital stays. Therefore, policy makers need to respond appropriately to the inefficient use of health resources by WCI patients.

Antiviral Efficacy of an Aquatic Disinfectant Tablet Composed to Calcium Hypochlorite Against Red Sea Bream Iridovirus

  • Cha, Chun-Nam;Lee, Yeo-Eun;Kang, In-Jin;Yoo, Chang-Yeul;Park, Eun-Kee;Kim, Suk;Lee, Hu-Jang
    • Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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    • v.27 no.3
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    • pp.285-289
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    • 2012
  • In this study, the veridical efficacy of an aquatic disinfectant tablet composed to calcium hypochlorite against red sea bream iridovirus (RBIV). A veridical efficacy was determined with the viability of RBIV contacted with the disinfectant in viral stock cultured in fat head minnow cell line. An aquatic disinfectant tablet and RBIV were reacted on the distilled water (DW), hard water (HW) or organic matter suspension (OM) condition. On DW and HW condition, RBIV was inactivated with 25,000 fold dilutions of an aquatic disinfectant tablet. With the investigation of the antiviral effect of the disinfectant on OM condition, RBIV was inactivated on 22,000 fold dilutions of an aquatic disinfectant tablet. As an aquatic disinfectant tablet possesses veridical efficacy against RBIV, the disinfectant solution can be used to limit the spread of cultured marine fish viral disease.

Blood parameter changes in Korean traditional calves and pigs after foot-and-mouth disease vaccination

  • Cha, Chun-Nam;Park, Eun-Kee;Yoo, Chang-Yeul;Kim, Suk;Yun, Young Won;Lee, Hu-Jang
    • Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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    • v.57 no.1
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    • pp.43-45
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    • 2017
  • This study investigated changes in certain blood parameters in calves and pigs after foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccination. In this study, five calves and five pigs were selected from groups of 10 calves and pigs, respectively, and were vaccinated with an FMD vaccine. The remaining animals formed two non-treatment control groups. Blood samples were collected from all animals on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days post-vaccination. In the FMD-vaccinated calves and pigs on day 7 post-vaccination, white blood cell counts, blood urea nitrogen levels, and alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities were higher than those in the respective controls. The present data suggested that the certain hemato-biochemical parameters on cattle and pigs were meaningfully changed between before and after FMD vaccination.

Health Promotion Services and Administrative System of the University Health Clinic (대학보건실의 운영체계 및 건강증진 서비스 제공 실태)

  • Park, Chun-Man;Kim, Young-Bok
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.151-163
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    • 2010
  • Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze problems and priority of university health services through analysis of health promotion programs and administrative system of university health clinics. Methods: In first telephone survey, 349 colleges and universities nationwide were surveyed to find out whether they operate health clinic or not. The administrative system and health promotion services of university health clinics were analyzed in 198 schools which had health clinic in it. Results: 160 schools were included in the final analysis. The most common name of university health clinic was 'health clinic' (35.2%), and heads of 52 university health clinics were non-medical school professors. 20.9% of the school provided details of the rules and implement guidelines of health care service. Health promotion services of university health clinic were set the non-smoking area (90.6%), health counseling (81.8%), providing health information (74.8%), health check-up (65.4%), health education (61.4%), partnership with health institutions in a community (61.4%), and immunization (48.1%) in order of that. Conclusion: It is urgent to establish the regulatory and guidelines for university health clinic. Each member of school should have interests in their health clinic and acknowledge health promotion services which they can get at the university health clinic.

The Roles and Professional Competencies of Health Education Specialists in Private Health Care Setting (민간 의료기관에서 보건교육사의 활동 영역과 능력 개발)

  • Kim, Young-Bok
    • Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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    • v.27 no.2
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    • pp.37-48
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    • 2010
  • Objectives: In health care setting, patient education and health promotion services are inexpensive and effective initiatives to change health behavior due to use medical service resources and personnel. This study performed to define the responsibilities and competencies of health education specialist in private health care setting. For our suggestion, we reviewed regulatory, recommendation, and programs related to health education and promotion in clinics and hospitals. Results and Conclusion: The health promoting hospital and health services in Europe and innovative hospitals of community health promotion in the U.S. were examples of approaches that supply target groups with health promotion services in health care setting. The National Commission for Health Education Credentialing has suggested the specified responsibilities and competencies of health education specialist in health care setting according to their general duty. Considering the recommendation of the NCHEC, our suggestion included: 1) the three kinds of job scope, 2) the major targets, 3) the specified responsibilities and competencies, and 4) the available health promotion programs in clinic and hospital setting. The suggestion will contribute to the development of job market for health education specialist and to the cooperation with community health resources in health promotion services and comprehensive health care.

Policies on Complementary and Alternative Medicine in the United States - Focusing on Licensing and Insurance - (미국의 보완대체의학 제도와 정책 - 면허제도와 의료보험급여를 중심으로 -)

  • Lim, Byung-Mook
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.137-149
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    • 2010
  • In recent decades, as the utilization of complementary and alternative medicine in the United State have been growing rapidly, regulatory controls surrounding complementary and alternative medicine(CAM) aims to ensure patient protection against unproven practices and to provide safe and effective treatments. Regulation and policy method on licensing CAM practitioners varies across the states. Over 85% of the states have the licensing system for acupuncturists, chiropractors, and naturopaths. For acupuncture, although the requirements for formal education are various across the states, a unified written examination has been adopted by almost entire states which have acupuncturist licensing law. Medicare, the public medical insurance, does not cover CAM practices except chiropractic and biofeedback. In some states, however, Medicaid programs cover some CAM therapies including acupuncture, naturopathy, and massage therapy. 67% of Health Maintenance Organizations, the private health plans, provide at least one modality of CAM services. In conclusion, government policies have been strengthened to ensure patient protection, and will continue to integrate CAM practices that are proven to be safe and effective into mainstream health care system.

A Legal Framework for Improving Patient Safety in Korea (환자안전 관련 법의 구조와 현황)

  • Ock, Minsu;Kim, Jang Han;Lee, Sang-il
    • Health Policy and Management
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    • v.25 no.3
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    • pp.174-184
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    • 2015
  • This paper reviewed structure and current status of laws related to patient safety using patient safety law matrix to promote systematic approach in legal system of patient safety. Laws related to patient safety can be divided into three areas: laws for preventing; laws for knowing about; and laws for responding. In the case of Korea, gaps are especially prominent in the areas of laws for knowing about and responding. Patient safety law which will be enacted in July 2016 will fill the gap in the area of laws for knowing about. This law will be comprehensive law, covering the full spectrum of laws related to patient safety. However, after reviewing current patient safety law in Korea, the following drawbacks were identified: absence of code for grasping the current patient safety level; absence of code for mandatory reporting in patient safety reporting system; and absence of code for privilege about patient safety work product. Furthermore we need wider discussions about covering issues of open disclosure, apology law, coroners system, and complaint management system in patient safety law.