• 의학교육논단
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• 제24권1호
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• pp.3-9
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• 2022

The concept of "public health care (public health and medical services)" as discussed in South Korea is used in an unclear sense, with a meaning unlike the terminology used worldwide. The terms "public health care (public health and medical services)" and "health care (health and medical services)" have the same legal definition in Korea. Globally, "public health care (public health and medical services)" refers to medical services provided to the public that are operated as publicly funded resources, but in Korea, this term is confined to limited medical services prescribed by the government. The following considerations regarding "public health care (public health and medical services)" in Korea are proposed: All medical services performed by the state, regional governments, health care institutions, or health care workers to protect and promote the health of the people should be clearly established as "public health care (public health and medical services)" by definition. The financial burden borne by the state through national health insurance should be increased to an appropriate level to clarify the state's responsibility. Improving public health is an urgent priority in Korea, and this goal can be achieved by improving regional public health through systematic relationships between the state and regional governments, establishing a Ministry of Health, and efficiently allocating public health doctors who are important for providing regional medical care in rural and remote areas. It will be possible to actively deal with infectious diseases at the national level through establishment of a Ministry of Disease Control and Prevention.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제29권3호
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• pp.323-331
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• 2019

Background: The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of impartiality in providing public health services on subjective health happiness and the mediated effects of public health service quality. Based on this, this study intends to present policy implications to improve public health services. Methods: The research method is multiple linear regression analysis. The analysis of the mediating effects is performed by Baron & Kenny's test, Sobel-Goodman's test, and Bootstrap. Results: The impartiality of public health services and the quality of public health services are shown to have a statistically significant effect on subjective health happiness. Quality of public health service appears to be mediating the relationship between impartiality in providing public health care and subjective health happiness. Conclusion: To promote people's subjective health happiness, it is necessary to secure impartiality in providing public health services in the first place and improve the quality of public health services.

• 성인간호학회지
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• 제22권4호
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• pp.408-417
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe public health services for the aged in public health centers from the perspective of public health nurses. Methods: The interview data were collected from 11 public health nurses and analyzed by using Colazzi's (1978) descriptive phenomenology. The procedural steps was that described the phenomenon of interest, collected participants' descriptions of the phenomenon, extracted the meaning of significant statement, organized the meanings into theme clusters, wrote exhaustive descriptions and then incorporated data into an exhaustive description. Results: The results included 291 re-statements, 49 constructed meanings, 27 themes, 12 theme clusters, and 5 categories were deduced. The five categories were 'perception of obstacles for elderly health system', 'sense of burden in services of health', 'planning about diverse elderly health services', 'elderly clients-focused performance', and 'solidify community ground of elderly health services'. Despite obstacles, participants tried to diverse health services for elderly. Conclusion: This study has described public health nurses' experiences about public health services for the aged. These findings have important implication for the practice of public health services for the aged and must be considered to develop program for planning and practice of public health nurses for the aged.

• 농촌의학ㆍ지역보건
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• 제25권2호
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• pp.217-230
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• 2000

For the longest time, our government has played an inconsiderable role in the public health services of Korea, especially as it relates to their investment. Voices have cried out against increases in national health expenditure and for more establishment of public medical facilities. In light of this, the necessity and importance of public medical facilities have come into focus amidst the recent medical crisis. When public medical facilities filled in the gap created by the suspension or closure of private hospitals and clinics as a result of this national crisis and acted as a safety net, the demand for more establishment of such facilities increased. Although patient diagnosis and treatment are the first priority of public medical facilities, they must also deal with scopes that private medical facilities do not deal with, dislike, or have difficulty with. In this respect, the closure or privatization of public hospitals to reduce their number just because of their low profits or financial burdens that must be carried by the government is to ignore their innate importance and social role; therefore, we must do all we can to block such efforts and further empower these public health facilities according to demands of the time. The improvement of public health services can be realized by redefining its goals and roles, increasing government funding, strengthening of existing public health facilities and reorganizing the public health services system. Even if public health facilities were to increase their medical services and be reinforced, they cannot take on all the services related to public health services, Therefore, in a country like ours where public health services come second to private health services in the health care system, the health of citizens can be safeguarded only when private and public facilities cooperate and private medical facilities share the social responsibilities. Only the show of interest and effort by government, politicians, health professionals, professional organizations and public can initiate the improvement that is sought.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제11권3호
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• pp.372-377
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• 2020

Infection risks of handling specimens associated with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) by public health laboratory services teams were assessed to scrutinize the potential hazards arising from the work procedures. Through risk assessments of all work sequences, laboratory equipment, and workplace environments, no aerosol-generating procedures could be identified except the procedures (mixing and transfer steps) inside biological safety cabinets. Appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks, protective gowns, face shields/safety goggles, and disposable gloves, together with pertinent safety training, was provided for laboratory work. Proper disinfection and good hand hygiene practices could minimize the probability of SARS-CoV-2 infection at work. All residual risk levels of the potential hazards identified were within the acceptable level. Contamination by gloved hands was considered as a major exposure route for SARS-CoV-2 when compared with eye protection equipment. Competence in proper donning and doffing of PPE accompanied by hand washing techniques was of utmost importance for infection control.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제41권3호
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• pp.393-402
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to assess the educational needs that should be considered in developing curriculum for staff in charge of public health services in public hospitals. Methods: The participants in this study were staff in charge of public health services in 130 public hospitals. The Borich's Needs Assessment Model which analyzed the relation of 'required competence level' and 'present competence level', was utilized. Data were collected from October to November 2007 using a structure self-report questionnaire. The return rate was 66.9%. The Cronbach's alpha score was 0.959. Results: The mean scores for 'required competence level', 'present competence level' and Borich's need were 4.02, 3.44, and 2.30 respectively. According to public health service items, 'strategies to recognize the present condition and analyze problems' had the highest score for Borich's need, but 'establishment of annual or monthly objectives' had the lowest score for Borich's need. Conclusion: Education was found to be very important for staff carrying out public health services. Ultimately the results of this study may be utilized to develop education program for staff carrying out public health services in public hospitals.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.1-7
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• 1989

This paper examines the failure to promote adequate preventive health care in the U.S. It focuses specifically on the preventive health services of screening, counseling, and immunization. It explores evidence on their effectiveness, as well as coverage under current private and public health insurance plans. It concludes with a proposal to expand health insurance coverage for preventive services and to reimburse physicians directly for preventive health services provided to patients.

• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제6권3호
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• pp.354-360
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• 2001

This study was carried out to investigate the present status of nutrition services for infants in public health centers and the need for nutrition services of health workers and infants mothers. The study subjects were 146 health workers and 197 infants mothers. The results were as follows : At present, the only major nutrition services for infants were vaccination and dental care. Proper nutrition management services were available to infants. Nutrition knowledge scores were 16.8 for health workers and 15.3 for mothers out of 20 possible points. Health workers strongly demanded a well-organized nutrition education program, government support, audio-visual materials and the employment of a community nutritionist. The public health workers, in particular, demanded the development of education programs for breastfeeding and weaning. The infants mothers demanded services of nutrition information and teaching of cooking and menu planning. Based on this, the results suggest that the employment of a community nutritionist and the development of practical nutrition service programs for infants are needed very urgently for public health centers.

• 지역사회간호학회지
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.333-341
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze married immigrant women's utilization of health care and their demand for public health care services. Methods: This study was conducted through descriptive survey with 102 married immigrant women in 2 cities, and survey was done from November, 2010 to May, 2011. Results: The results were as follows. Of respondents, 70% were using medical services in Korea and only 38.2% of them were satisfied with services. Major difficulties in using health care services were 'access problem' (35.7%), 'communication problem' (27.7%), and 'medical cost' (19.8%). The respondents' main sources of health information were family (56%), health care center (15%). The types of health information and education demanded by respondents were children's health care (22.1%), pregnancy and delivery (21.1%), and common disease care (20.0%). The most wanted services from public health care institutions were vaccination (24.5%), health promotion (21.5%), and leisure activity programs (20.6%). There was a statistically significant difference in period of immigration and public health care demands. Conclusion: For married female immigrants, it is recommended to provide tailored public health care services such as outreach service and visiting nursing care service, and to set up different language signs for common disease patients.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제31권3호
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• pp.421-435
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• 2017

Purpose: Public health centers (PHCs) provide a variety of healthcare services according to the Regional Public Health Act (RPHA). We aim to analyze the changes in public healthcare services according to the legislation and the number of public health nurse (PHN) involved in the service, and propose an alternative to effectively distribute the public health nursing workforce for protecting the health rights of people. Methods: This is a review study that deduced the results from literature review. Results: During the revision of the PHC law to the RPHA, several services were added. Health related laws have forced the PHCs to provide services for these legislations. Consequently, the workload on the PHNs has been increasing. However, the PHNs have been consistently lacking. In 2017, there are 16.2 full-time nurses per center. Furthermore, About 50% of the PHCs are not meeting the minimum requirements of licensed or qualified health professional workforce outlined in 1997. In addition, 43% of the nurses in the PHCs are part-time nurses. Conclusion: We suggest that the minimum requirements of health professional workforce should be modified to reflect the increase in the workload of PHNs, and a legislation to enforce PHCs to fulfill these requirements is needed.