• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.277-293
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• 1997

This study was conducted to provide basic materials required to enforce and develop welfare policies, as well as the health system, for the aged, by surveying the status of health care utilized by the daily increasing old population and the importance of receiving physical therapy. Data that need in this research was gathered from over ages of 65, during the period from Jan 4, 1996 to Jan 31, using the inquiries previously made by geriatric researchers and through literatures investigator by this writer. The data were analyzed by $X^2$, Z-test, Likert scale. The findings were as follows : 1) General characteristics of subjects. People in the age group between 65 and 69 were 55.6% and the highest number, while male were 37% and female 63%. Analysis of income group disclosed 60.6% whose monthly income, including the pocket money given by children, was less than 200,000 won. 91.1% of the elderly people surveyed owned houses; only 36.4% live with spouses; while 15.6% live alone. 2) Characteristics with respect to utilization of health care institution. 56% of the total medical institutions used by the elderly people were clinics and the rates of chronic disease and musculoskeletal disease were 73.2%. 3) Characteristics with respect to approach of health care institution. 45.1% of the respondent stated it took 20 minutes to arrive at hospital, and bus accounted for 48.6% of all transportation means used to go to hospital. 4) Degree of cognition with respect to the rights of geriatric patients. (1) There is no financial support from the government for geriatric patients(71.4%). (2) Government financial support is needed for geriatric patients(95.3%). (3) Have never been regionally surveyed or called upon for interviews with respect to treatment desire and problems relating to geriatric patients(87.2%). (4) Health and medical policies for geriatric patients must be established rapidly(98.4). (5) Expansion and construction of specialized medical facilities for geriatric patients such as elderly hospital and medical center are needed(90.2%). (6) Government's welfare policies for the elderly people is insufficient(82.0%) 5) Degree of cognition on importance of physical therapy with respect to geriatric patient. (1) Physical therapy is considered most effective in treating geriatric patients(82.9%). (2) Physical therapists specializing in only elderly people must be need of separately(76.2%). (3) It is desirable for medical specialists to visit geriatric patients at home to provide physical therapy(82.9%). (4) Hospitals specializing in physical therapy for geriatric patient are required(85.6%). Based on the result for this research, the following suggestions are presented to facilitate the utilization of health care institution for the welfare of geriatric patients. Medical facilities such as elderly hospital and geriatric patient's medical center specializing in elderly people must be constructed as early as possible; and home-visiting physical therapist system must be important to treat chronic geriatric patients; our government must establish policies to provide the old ages with means for the health care and curing chronic diseases, and carry out the plans of reasonable distribution and effective untilization of medical resources.

• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제32권1호
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• pp.8-12
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• 2022

Background: Woosuk University College of Pharmacy delivered patient counseling education and administered Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) by utilizing standardized patients (SP) in Introductory Pharmacy Practice course. Surveys were conducted to examine students' perception of SP and its impact on experiential education. Methods: Students learned patient counseling by didactic lecture and role-play, followed by hands-on practice with SP. Then, patient counseling skills were assessed during OSCE by utilizing SP. The first survey was conducted immediately after OSCE, and the second survey after the completion of Pharmacy Practice Experiences (PPEs). Results: According to the surveys, majority of the students agreed that utilizing SP was effective in building confidence for conducting patient counseling, reflecting on strengths and weaknesses of communication skills, and preparing for PPEs. It was particularly more effective than role-play in simulating patient counseling in a real pharmacy and reflecting on oneself. Also, OSCE was an appropriate method to assess patient counseling skills and utilizing SP for this purpose was well-suited. Conclusion: Although it is very new in South Korea, other developed countries are already widely utilizing SP, and its importance and necessity have been proven by several studies. Therefore, Korean colleges of pharmacy should begin discussing how to utilize SP to improve students' communications skills and implementing OSCE to evaluate those skills.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제27권4호
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• pp.359-365
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• 2017

Background: Computed tomography (CT) is one of the most efficient diagnostic methods for stroke patients. The number of CT scanners in South Korea, however, is higher than in other countries, and may cause the overuse of this tool in healthcare. We aim to study the relationship between using CT and various patient and hospital characteristics among patients with cerebral infarction. Methods: We analyzed nationwide health insurance claims data for patients due to cerebral infarction during the second half of 2013 for up to 3 months. We performed multilevel analysis, including both inpatient and hospital-level variables, to determine how factors affect CT spending and utilization. Results: The data used in our study consisted of 17,046 hospitalizations at 583 hospitals. Inpatients who visited more than one hospital had higher CT utilization numbers and cost (number: ${\geq}3$: ${\beta}$ hospitals, 2.27; p < 0.05; 2 hospitals: ${\beta}$, 0.70; p < 0.05; cost: ${\geq}3$ hospitals: ${\beta}$, 251,108; p < 0.05; 2 hospitals: ${\beta}$, 77,299; p < 0.05). People who visited a general hospital had higher numbers and cost of CT utilization than people who visited a smaller hospital. Conclusion: Increased sharing of records and improved continuity of care between hospitals are needed to help curb the overuse of CT.

• 보건의료산업학회지
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• 제10권4호
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• pp.51-59
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• 2016

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to examine the health service utilization of elderly patients who visited an emergency medical center in the Gyeongbuk region and to provide basic information for the effective management of emergency medical centers. Methods : This study analyzed the characteristics of the hospital visits and the actual situation for the use of emergency medical care of 10,264 elderly patients that visited an emergency medical center in the Gyeongbuk region from January, 2014 to December, 2014. Frequency analysis and chi-square test were done in this study. Results : This study showed that there is a difference in the characteristics of health service utilization which included hospital visits, duration of hospital visits and mode of arrival to the emergency medical center according to age, gender and other characteristics. Conclusions : Providing efficient emergency services is necessary as well as establishing an emergency medical center management plan that takes into consideration the difference in health service utilization of elderly patients.

• 대한치과의사협회지
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• 제51권1호
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• pp.39-45
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• 2013

Radiographic examinations are used to discover and define the type and extent of disease in many clinical situations. Currently, it is common for dental patients to receive dental radiographic examinations on a routine schedule with little variation in spite of different patient signs and symptoms. Such routine scheduling of radiographic examinations may result in unnecessary patient exposure. There is also the possibility of under-utilization of radiography; this can result in inadequate or excessively delayed diagnosis. Patient selection criteria are descriptions of clinical conditions derived from patient signs, symptoms and history that identify patients who are likely to benefit from a particular radiographic examination. It makes possible making individual decisions based on history, clinical examination and risk factors. The radiographic selection criteria of dentistry have been revised in accordance with recent guidelines and peer-reviewed research in USA and Europe, but the studies of these subjects are not sufficient in our nation. In this review article, the relating factors and update necessity of radiographic selection criteria are discussed.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-21
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• 1997

In order to analyze the shifts in the volume and profits of Computed Tomography(CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging(MRI) utilization for a year before and after the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, this study has been undertaken examining CT and MRI cost data from 'Y' University Hospital situated in Seoul, Korea. Following are the results of this study: 1. The medical insurance payment for CT, implemented on January 1, 1996, increased CT utilization from January 1996 to April 1996 due to low insurance premiums: however, from May 1996 the number of CT cases significantly decreased as a result of strengthened medical cost reviews and the new 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' announced near the end of April 1996 by the insurer. 2. Since the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT fee reduction rates for reimbursements by the insurer to the hospital were 50% and 40% for January and February, respectively, and 31% and 15% for March and April. A significant point in the lowering of the reduction rate was reached in May at 11%; furthermore, since June the reduction rate fell below the average reduction rate for reimbursements for all procedures. If the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' had been announced before the implementation of insurance coverage for CT, CT utilization would not have been so high due to the need to meet those 'standards'. In addition, loss of hospital profits resulting from the reduction for reimbursements would not have occurred. 3. The shifts in MRI utilization showed that there was no particular change with the beginning of insurance coverage for CT, and the introduction of the 'Detailed standards for approval of CT' made MRI utilization increase because MRI is free of restrictions imposed by the insurer. 4. The relationship between CT utilization and MRI utilization showed that they were supplementary to each other before insurance coverage for CT, but that CT was substituted for MRI because of strengthened medical cost reviews after t~e beginning of insurance coverage for CT. 5. The shifts in volume by patient characteristics showed that the number of inappropriate case patients, according to the insurer's "Standards for approval", decreased more than the number of appropriate case patients after the introduction of insurance coverage for CT. Therefore, the health insurance fee schemes for CT have influenced patient care. 6. The shifts in profits from CT utilization showed a net profit decrease of 31.6%. In order to match the pre-coverage profit level, 5,471 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 32.7%. This profit decrease resulted from a decrease of CT utilization and low reimbursements. With insurance coverage, net profits from CT were 24.4%, and a margin of safety ratio was 39.6%. Because of the net profits and margin of safety ratio, CT utilization fees for insured appropriate cases could not be considered inappropriate. 7. The shifts in profits from MRI utilization before and after the introduction of CT coverage showed that in order to match pre-CT coverage profit levels, 2,011 more cases would need to be seen and productivity would need to be increased by 9.2%. The reasons for needing to increase the number of cases and productivity result from cost burdens created by adding new MRI units. But with CT coverage already begun, MRI utilization increased. Combined with a minor increase in the MRI fee schedule, MRI utilization showed a net profit increase of 18.5%. Net profits of 62.8% and a 'margin of safety ratio' of 43.1% for MRI utilization showed that the hospital relied on this non-covered procedure for profits. 8. The shifts in profits from CT and MRI utilization showed the net profits from CT decreased by 2.33billion Won while the net profits from MRI increased by 815.7million Won. Overall, these two together showed a net profit decrease of 1.51billion Won. The shifts in utilization showed a functional substitutionary relationship, but the shifts in profits did not show a substitutionary relationship. From these results, We can conclude that if insurance is to be expanded to include previously uncovered procedures using expensive medical equipment, detailed standards should be prepared in advance. The decrease in profits from the shifts in coverage and changes in fees is a difficult burden that should be shared, not carried by the hospital alone. Also, a new or improved fee schedule system should include revised standards between items listed and the appropriateness of the fee schedule should constantly be ensured. This study focused on one university hospital in Seoul and is therefore limited in general applicability. But it is valuable for considering current issues and problems, such as the influence of CT coverage on hospital management. Future studies will hopefully expand the scope of the issues considered here.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.130-147
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• 2001

This study is about major symptoms of elderly and medical services for elderly in long-tenn care facilities. The subject of this study was 298 patients over 00 years old staying in two geriatric hospitals and two nursing homes. The symptoms and medical services were level of patient classification from RUG(Resource Utilization Group)-III which is applied for both Medicare and Medicaid for skilled nursing facilities reimbursement system in US and designed for measuring patient characteristics and medical staff time. This classification is explained by each patient resource(staff time) utilization level which is called CMI(Case-Mix Index). In this study, the symptoms and services were compared by facility type and they were categorized by level and compared by CMI. Major findings are as follows; 1. There were more elderly who have cognitive function problems in nursing homes than patients in geriatric hospitals. There were more patients with behavioral problems in geriatric hospitals than residents in nursing homes. These results were both statistically significant. 2. The patients in geriatric hospitals received significantly more nursing rehabilitation services, rehabilitation services and extensive services than residents in nursing homes. Other hands, special care services were provided significantly more to residents in nursing homes than elderly in geriatric hospitals. 3. ADL and depression variables had higher CMI when the symptoms were heavier condition. The CMI were not matched with levels of cognitive function problems and behavioral problems. 4. The CMI matched well significantly with levels of nursing rehabilitation services, special care services, and clinically complex services provided for the patient in geriatric hospitals and only nursing rehabilitation services in nursing homes. The CMI for rehabilitation services level and extensive services had regular trends. From the result of this study, the resource utilization level and services provided for elderly in each long-term care facilities were figured out. For the further study, it needs to have more concern about RUG-ill which classification variables were just analyzed.

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

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제39권5호
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• pp.397-403
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• 2006

Objectives: We estimated the asthma-related health care utilization and costs in Korea from the insurer's and societal perspective. Methods: We extracted the insurance claims records from the Korea National Health Insurance claims database for determining the health care services provided to patients with asthma in 2003. Patients were defined as having asthma if they had ${\geq}$2 medical claims with diagnosis of asthma and they had been prescribed anti-asthma medicines, Annual claims records were aggeregated for each patient to produce patient-specific information on the total utilization and costs. The total asthma-related cost was the sum of the direct healthcare costs, the transportation costs for visits to health care providers and the patient's or caregivers' costs for the time spent on hospital or outpatient visits. Results: A total of 699,603people were identified as asthma patients, yielding an asthma prevalence of 1.47%. Each asthma patient had 7.56 outpatient visits, 0.01 ED visits and 0.02 admissions per year to treat asthma. The per-capita insurance-covered costs increased with age, from 128,276 Won for children aged 1 to 14 years to 270,729 Won for those aged 75 or older. The total cost in the nation varied from 121,865 million to 174,949 million Won depending on the perspectives. From a societal perspective, direct health care costs accounted for 84.9%, transportation costs for 15.1 % and time costs for 9.2% of the total costs. Conclusions: Hospitalizations and ED visits represented only a small portion of the asthma-related costs. Most of the societal burden was attributed to direct medical expenditures, with outpatient visits and medications emerging as the single largest cost components.

• 한국병원경영학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.119-142
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• 2007

Although Korea joined OECD in 1996, there has still seen much unbalance in medical care and welfare standard between urban and rural area. The unbalance of medical demand between urban and rural area deepened low utilization of rural hospitals. So it caused many hospital's failure and conversion in rural area. Many rural hospitals are in difficulty managing business because of low medical demand along with the shortage of medical manpower, medical equipment and facilities. The objectives of this study were to reveal the cause of low utilization of hospitals in rural area, and to increase utilization of those hospitals. In this study the improvement methods of rural hospital's utilization were presented by examining were placed in difficult management condition, in respect of hospital's management conditions, manpower input, patient medical treatment record, financial record, and actual output. The causes of rural hospital's low utilization were as follows; 1) changes in number and structure of population 2) rural people's preference for large hospitals and hospitals which located in urban area 3) rural hospitals lacking in hospital management skill. Consequently rural hospital's operation condition got more and more deteriorated. To raise rural hospital's utilization, method for social policy, method for health policy, and intrinsic method of hospitals were presented in turn. For rural residents to utilize medical service conveniently, it is necessary for rural hospitals operated normally. So government must insist that rural hospitals solve the problems which come out from their internal management problems. And also these rural hospitals should be supported and nurtured by the government until their management is operated normally.