• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.243-250
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• 2014

This study examined the knowledge and understanding of integrative medicine in Korea, specifically conflicts between western and oriental medicine within Parallel (Dual) health care systems. Qualitative methodology using grounded theory guided semi-structured, in-depth interviews with Western Medical Doctors (W.M.D., n = 6), Oriental Medical Doctors (O.M.D., n = 5) and Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (T.C.M.P., n = 4). Thematic analysis was used to determine broad themes from the interviews. 15 professionals (W.M.D. (40%), O.M.D. (33%), T.C.M.P. (27%), 10 males (67%) and 5 females (33%), mean age 45) were interviewed, recorded, and transcribed. Thematic analysis revealed three key themes: systematic conflicts, integration and future directions. Subthemes of systematic conflicts included: credibility of Oriental Medicine, commercial imperatives, maintaining social standing of O.M.D., professional qualifications and lack structures supporting collaborative practice. Integration subthemes included lack of academic linkage and clarity for appropriate triage, opposing medical paradigms and limited social imperative. Future directions should include: social justification, guarantee of oriental medicine legitimacy, role of government and understanding of scientific evidence. To successfully integrate dual medical systems there is a need to address differences in social-environmental factors and perceptions of scientific understanding, as well as developing strong academic links in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.241-251
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• 2007

Purpose: To identify the effects on tuberculosis mortality of a tuberculosis control program conducted at 108 community health centers in terms of structure and process. Methods: The dependent variable was tuberculosis mortality, and the independent variables were the structure(type of centers, staff, nurses, doctors, budget) and process(chest X-ray checking, immunization, case detection, health education, patients registering & managing) of the tuberculosis control programs at the community health centers. Data were analyzed using descriptive analysis and stepwise regression analysis. Result: Tuberculosis morality was positively correlated with type of centers(rural area)(p<0.01), but negatively correlated with type of centers(large cities) (p<0.01), (middle cities)(p<0.05), staff FTE(p<0.05), and number of nurses(p<0.05). Regression analysis indicated that type of centers(rural area)($\beta$=0.457) and case detection($\beta$=0.234) had a significant effect on tuberculosis mortality. Conclusion: Ultimately, this study will provide information to improve the effectiveness of tuberculosis control programs in community health centers.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.23 no.3 s.31
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• pp.316-323
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• 1990

To analyze of determinants influencing the utilization of the rural health sub-centers (HSCs), 116 of 144 HSCs in Kyong Gi Do, were selected for this study. The self-administered questionnaire covering the environment and the characteristics of doctors working in the HSCs was sent to HSCs by mail. 105 questionnaires were returned of which 88 were completed and use in the study. The dependant variable was the total number of medical care visits to the HSCs from January 1, 1990 to March 31, 1990. Data was analyzed by multiple regression analysis. The results were as follows : First, the more time required to set from the HSCs to nearest hospital or clinic, the higher the utilization of the HSCs. Second, the more geographically accessible the HSCs was, the more utilization the HSCs. Third, the older of the HSCs doctors were, the more utilization of the HSCs. Fourth, the higher frequency of bus service from the HSCs to town, the more utilization of the HSCs. Fifth, the more time required from the HSCs to town, the more utilization of the HSCs. Therefore, the determinants influencing the utilization of the rural HSCs in Kyong-Gi Do, are mostly geographical accessibility of medical care.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.105-120
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• 2002

In the United States, the prospective payment system(PPS), under which diagnosis related groups (DRGs) are used to reimburse hospitals for the care of Medicare patients since 1983, Study results showed that the PPS is having a major impact on the quantity of services especially of hospital length of stay. The PPS has increased the likelihood that a patient will be discharged home in an unstable condition and the use of nursing homes or long term care facilities increased. Still, it is insufficient to conclude that the PPS has decreased the Medicare total expenditure, but relatively sufficient to conclude that the quality of care hasn't changed. The maintenance of the quality resulted from the systemic "check-and-balance" composed of three factors; (1) The doctors are reimbursed based on the fee-for-service system, (2) hospitals contact with doctors under the attending system, and (3) there are some public hospitals. In Korea, the reimbursement for hospitals and doctors are not divided, the hospitals have doctors as employees, and 90% of hospitals are private. These differences may weaken the "check-and-balance" existing in the U.S. system. And there are few long term care facilities and the diagnostic coding system using in pilot test are not suitable for Korean situation. In conclusion, for successful implementation of the DRG payment system in Korea, the government should establish the "check-and-balance" system in the health sector to make sure the quality of care before the implementation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.9-28
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• 1994

This study is to investigate the status and problems in the anual physical examination in elementary & secondary schools. The study helps the introduction of health assessment. Two hundreds and forty nurse teachers of elementary & seconcary school in Seoul received in-service traomong fpr 20 daus frp, September 7 to September 27, 1992. Questionnaires were given to the 240 teachers and the number of collected questionnaire is 112. The result of the questionnaire analysis is like the following. First, the answered teachers aged 35~39, 36.6%; experience 6~10 years 37.5%; the number of class 31~40, 28.6%. Among the answered of the school doctors is practicioners. The doctors major subjects are 26.8% of internal medicine and 35.7% of surgery. Second, in elementary & secondary school nurse teachers received in-service training for the primary health assessment. And then 37.5% of schools practiced the health assessment. The term of the health assessment is largely a-year-length, occurately its rate of schools have practiced the assessment reaches 81.0%. The number of health assessment are consist of eyes, nose, ear, throat, skin, spine, heart and other abnormal regions and diseases all over the body. And 83.3% of the rate of the health assessment includes all these contents. The period of the health assessment is 7 to 28 days. Third, the physical examination conducted by school doctors is 91.0%. The method is various; one is 56.6% of the students who checked first by he nurse teacher. The number of 15.1% of the schools is directly checked by the school doctor. The invited medical doctors are divided into two categories. The number of general physician is 61.9%. Contrary to that school doctors are 38.1%. The contents of the medical examination is all the items printed on the medical examination sheet. To follow the medical examination sheet the number of school is 59.6%. Eyes, throat, skin and heart etc. partly medical examination is 40.4%. The rate of schools that used only stethoscope, tongue pressor as the medical instruments reaches 53.4% and 87.1% of elementary & secondary school give the invited doctors the allowance a nurse teachers conference decided. The number of 8.9% schools pay the doctors independent allowance. The medical examomatopm allowance is 200 to 250 won per capita. The rate is 56.1%. Forth, after the medical examination 72.1% of school sends letter to the parents to notice the result of the examination. The number of response from parent is 12.5%. The observation record in secondary school is 70.6% for junior, and 80.0% for senior respectively, and 65.5% is for the elementary school children. To conclude the regular physical examination in elementary & secondary school is very important. Because the students are in the stage of rapid growth and development. Early finding of the students diseases can help to cure with ease. In the light of public health the management of health program in the elementary & secondary school is of consequence.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.63-68
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the national obligation of public health support for residents in medically vulnerable areas in Korea, and to propose a suitable model for public health institutions in this region. Research design, data, and methodology: A survey targeting residents was conducted from August 10 to August 17, 2021, with a sample size of 177 general citizens. The survey utilized a structured questionnaire administered online through Google, employing convenience random sampling. After an editing process to ensure data accuracy, the final dataset of 174 valid samples underwent encoding, coding, and cleaning using the IBM SPSS Statistics 22.0 program for analysis. Results: Health status revealed a moderate level, and 63.8% reported having chronic diseases, particularly prevalent among the elderly. External healthcare institutions were commonly utilized, with proximity and competence of doctors being primary reasons. Respondents expressed a need for improving the public health and medical system, emphasizing the establishment of a County Health Centre and expanding medical departments. Conclusions: In this region, the region's unique challenges, including education, employment, population decline, aging, and transportation, require multidimensional efforts and urgent intervention by public entities. Long-term strategies involve considering the establishment of a health and medical institute, adjusting health centre resources to local realities, and fostering a cooperative system for collaboration among residents and institutions.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.43-59
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• 2023

Objectives: Although a manual for a disaster medical support using Korean medicine doctors for disaster survivors has been developed, education programs for using the manual in disaster situations need to be developed. Thus, the purpose of this study was to analyze existing online education programs for disaster mental health to develop education programs for Korean medicine doctors. Methods: We conducted website searching for disaster mental health education programs using Google. Compositions, contents, hours, methods, costs, organizers, and targets of included educational programs were analyzed qualitatively. Results: After searching, eight websites among a total of 64 were included for the analysis. Lectures consisted of Psychological First Aid, Skills for Psychological Recovery, Self-Care, and Psychological Education after a disaster experience. Training hours for each program ranged from 30 minutes to 31 hours. All lectures were given only online. They could only be taken online. Free lectures were the most common ones. Most of them were for the general public. Conclusions: Findings of this study provide information regarding trends of online education programs for disaster mental health. Our information could be used for developing disaster trauma response education programs for Korean medicine doctors in the future.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2013

Objectives: Unprotected leisure time exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun or artificial tanning beds is the most important environmental risk factor for melanoma, a malignant skin cancer with increasing incidences over the past decades. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of skin health information provided by several sources and different publishing issues on knowledge, risk perception, and sun protective behavior of sunbathers. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was conducted among Austrian residents (n=563) spending leisure time outdoors in August 2010. Results: Print media, television, and family were perceived as the most relevant sources of information on skin health, whereas the source physician was only ranked as fourth important source. Compared to other sources, information provided by doctors positively influenced participants' knowledge on skin risk and sun protective behavior resulting in higher scores in the knowledge test (p=0.009), higher risk perception (p<0.001), and more sun protection (p<0.001). Regarding gender differences, internet was more often used by males as health information source, whereas females were more familiar with printed information material in general. Conclusions: The results of this survey put emphasis on the demand for information provided by medical professionals in order to attain effective, long-lasting promotion of photoprotective habits.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.97-119
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• 1991

Korea has made a rapid economic development since the last three decades. This has helped Korea narrow the gap in health service differences in resource availability and in quality of care. However urban and rural differentials are still remarkable. This study has maintained that health status of rural residents is inferior to that of urban dwellers. Therefore, this study was carried out to develop policy measures for improving health services in rural areas. In order to achieve the objective of this study the authors collaborated closely and made field visits, interviews and conducted an extensive literature review regarding rural health services. The following policy options are recommended as a summary ; First, the quality of rural health personnel is a single most important factor influencing the level of rural health services. An innovative program for public health doctors to the internship and/or residency training program such as specialty board program of family medicine. Second, dissatisfaction regarding employment of public health doctors is problematic. More rational employment and deployment programs are needed to meet their personal desire. One way to do this is to make it wide open and competitive. Third this study shows how to increase physician productivity in the rural public health sector. Incentive system needs to be elaborated for the career development of rural health workers. University linked job opportunity as clinical professor is an example. Fourth, without straightening the function of health centers and subcenters, the future of rural health services is doomed to failure. Straightening primary health care is one way to enrich the program of public health facilities and reactivating the operation of health center/hospital is another. A close linkage of public facilities with private hospitals is a minimum requirement for the operation of health delivery system within a health district. Fifth, some measures are urgently required to enhance hospital services in medically underserved areas. Financial subsidy, tax exemption, long-term public loans and higher priority of health manpower deployment are some of them. Sixth, new health programs should be in tiated to meet changing needs of peoples in rural areas. Home health care program, hospice program, nursing home, residential program for the elderly are recommended.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.75-97
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• 2005

The research objective is to empirically investigate the compensation packages maximizing the utilities of internal customers by applying the market segmentation theory. Data was collected from four Korean hospitals in Seoul, Busan and Gyunggi-do. The research is designed to seek the compensation package maximizing the utility of doctors by mixture regression model, which has been applied as latent structure and other type of finite mixture models from various academic fields since early 1980s. The mixture regression model shows the optimal segments number and fuzzy classification for each observation by EM(expectation-maximization algorism). The finite mixture regression model is to unmix the sample, to identify the groups, and to estimate the parameters of the density function underlying the observed data within each group. The doctors were segmented into 5 groups by their preference for the compensation package. The results of this study imply that the utility of doctors increases with differentiated compensation package segmented by their preference.