• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.70-78
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• 1998

Alternative medicine is defined as the practices used for the prevention and the treatment of diseases that are not taught widely in medical schools, nor generally available inside hospitals. Alternative medicine or therapy is of growing interest to the general public. We conducted a survey to determine the prevalence and patterns of using alternative medicine such as herbal medicine acupuncture, folk medicine, health food and diet, yoga, qi therapy, shiatsu, chiropractics, homeopathy etc.. Based on 794 completed questionnaires, 484 respondents(61%) reported using at least one form of alternative medicine for their medical problems. The major medical conditions for which they used alternative medicine were back pain(85.6%), arthritis(85.4%), hypertension(85.2%), cerebrovascular disorders(86.4%), and insomnia(84.6%). The types of alternative medicine frequently used were herbal medicine, acupuncture, folk medicine, and health food. The reasons why the vast majority of people sought after alternative medicine was that: less side-effect, it is not harmful, it is more effective, there is a shorter waiting time, and a better explanation fur the conditions and a kinder therapist. We found that the frequency of using alternative medicine in the health care system was high. Physicians need to be more aware that many patients may be using alternative medicine. Further survey of the nation-wide prevalence of alternative medicine, and scientific study into the efficacy of this medicine should be followed. In the meantime, we suggest paying attention to possible harmful effects caused by some sorts of alternative medicine.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.353-361
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• 2011

Objectives : This study was to examine the social value of dental hygienists, their values about the health system and the relationship of all the related variables. Methods : The subjects in this study were 205 dental hygienists who worked in dental clinics and hospitals on Seoul. A survey was conducted from August 12 to October 15, 2010. The questionnaire consisted of nine items about general characteristics, two items about social values and 11 about values of the health system. The items related to social values and values of the health system were prepared by translating the items used in David et al's study, and the Cronbach alpha coefficient of those items respectively 0.80 and 0.76. Results : The dental hygienists got 3.94 in social values, which was above the average. In terms of values about the health care system, their values of the treatment delivery system(3.92) rated highest, followed by values of patient rights(3.79) and values of institutional restrictions(3.25). Their socal values had a closest positive correlation to their values of the treatment delivery system, and their values of patient rights had a strong positive correlation to those of the treatment delivery system and was positively correlated to those of institutional regulations as well. And there was a positive correlation between their values of the treatment delivery system and institutional regulations(r=.276). Conclusions : The above-mentioned findings illustrated that the social values of the dental hygienists had a positive correlation to their values of the health system. Therefore the kinds of educational programs that help dental hygienists to build their social values and values of the health system should be developed to improve their job efficiency as oral health experts.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.3308-3314
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate the casual relationships among purchase decision factors of medical devices, satisfaction and repurchasing intention. Data of this study is a 2012 survey on medical institutions using medical devices of MW(ministry of health and welfare) and We analyzed 116 medical institutions having ultrasound imaging system lager than general hospitals among data. For empirical analysis, we carried out confirmative factor analysis and path-analysis using AMOS 21.0 package. Main results of this study are as follows: First, brand has positive influence on satisfaction and satisfaction has positive impaction on repurchase intention. Second, although not statistically significant, performance and service have positive impaction on satisfaction and price has negative influence on satisfaction. The significance of this study is to provide empirical basis on establishment of efficient marketing strategy and enhancement of competitiveness for the medical device industry.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.25-36
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• 2017

Purpose: The analysis of space configuration of dentistry through examining Korean dental history and comparison are necessary for the development of planning of the dental healthcare system. This study has been started in order to provide basic information for the planning of hospital architecture in dentistry. Methods: Literature review of space configuration and historical background in dentistry have been conducted. The changes of site plan and space configuration of Seoul National University, Yonsei University and Kyunghee University, School of Dentistry and Dental Hospital have been analyzed in dental history of Korea and corresponding spaces. Results: The result of this study can be summarized in three points. The first one is that space configuration of dentistry in Korea is different from that of West. The clinical treatment space had been started first and the education and research space was followed after a short interval. The second one is that the space configuration in School of Dentistry and Dental Hospital shows that dental space had differentiated and specialized to dental education and clinical space in a building. It had spatially divided and separated to the education and research complex and the dental hospital and it had a branch building. The third one is that the dental public health in Korea has not been actively applied until recently and it should be developed in a near future. Implications: It is necessary to analyze space configuration of other dental schools and their hospitals to develop the relationship between space and program in healthcare system.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.37-53
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• 2017

Purpose: As the structure of the disease has been changed and the infectious disease has been increased, the demand for diagnostic examination has been increasing. So, the department of laboratory medicine in hospital has playing the important role accounting for about nineteen percent of total medical expenses in korea. This study is to investigate the laboratory function and spatial composition of the department and figure out the space area and space organization. Methods: Explore the literature review to identify the laboratory function. Limit to five cases of tertiary level general hospital having about a thousand bed and analyze the space layout and floor area to confirm the spatial composition. Classify the exam function and check the spatial composition and spatial organization. Results: This study allows 5 conclusions to be summarized. Laboratory medicine divided into nine part in regulation, but in space allocated into core lab, emergency lab and six part lab. Total laboratory area is $2,036m^2$ in average, and is composited with 60% for lab, 17% for office and 20% for public. Lab area per a bed presents $1.88m^2$. Microbiolgy and molecular lab area are getting large. Laboratory space organized into the four zone, like an entrance zone, core zone, rear zone and peripheral zone. Emergency and transfusion lab are allocated in entrance zone, hematology chemistry and immunology in core lab, microbiology and molecular lab in rear, support offices in peripheral zone. The most important point was to check the spatial composition of the Laboratory Medicine according to the inspection function. Implications: This study can be used as a useful data in planning and designing a Laboratory Medicine Department.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.314-318
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• 2018

Background: Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) in the health industry are quite common, however, there have only been a few studies regarding physiotherapists, while in Greece, there is an apparent lack of research and data. The aim of this study is to investigate MSDs experienced by physiotherapists in Greece, their causes and specific measures, and good practices followed. Additional emerging risk factors will be examined. Methods: A questionnaire of MSDs followed by individual and workplace characteristics was completed by 252 physiotherapists. It covered the major workplace categories such as public hospitals, private rehabilitation centers, and private practices. Results: Analysis indicated that 89% of the respondents had experienced a work-related MSD; 32.2% of those injuries occurred within the first 5 years of working. The most lumbered physiotherapists were those working as private practitioners and almost half of the injured respondents chose to work while injured. The most common measure taken to tackle work related MSDs was found to be physical therapy sessions. Job satisfaction and psychosocial issues were also identified as side-effects of the economic slowdown. Conclusion: Physiotherapists in Greece were found to suffer from MSDs; workplace musculoskeletal injuries were quite common but under-reported. The body parts most affected were the lower back, the upper back, the shoulders, and the neck. There was a strong correlation between the workplace setting and the number of MSDs. A well-defined occupational safety and health management system and strict administration steering were found to reduce MSDs. The economic slowdown experienced in Greece during the execution of this study placed additional pressure on physiotherapists.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.411-422
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• 2014

Objectives: A large number of patients require psychiatric therapy. We attempted to determine the present situation regarding psychotherapy and neuropsychological tests for dementia in Korean medicine for the benefit of the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS). The aim of this study was to aware of the current status about psychotherapy and neuropsychological test for dementia in Korean medicine. Methods: We searched the medical practice records for psychotherapy and neuropsychological tests in oriental neuropsychiatry between 2009 and 2013 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRAS) database. The search categories were: IJeongByunGi (Medical practice code:59001), JiUnGoRoen (59002), Kyungjapyungji (59003), OhJiSangSeung (59004), neuropsychological test for dementia (29005). Results: 1. The number of patients treated with Korean Medical Psychotherapy increased annually by 151%. The total number of patients treated with Korean Medical Psychotherapy was 4,289 in 2013. 2. The total cost for patients treated with Korean medical Psychotherapy in the public health medical insurance budget was 268,032,000 won in 2013. The average medical cost for one therapy was 17,000 won in 2013. 3. The number of patients in local clinics is increasing faster than the number in Korean medical hospitals. 4. The age group between 20~30 years of age, for both men and women, is the group with the greatest density in Korean Medical Psychotherapy. 5. Neuropsychological Testing for Dementia in Korean Medicine is slowly decreasing. Conclusions: The prevalence of mental illness in Korea is increasing, therefore, the demand for Korean Medical Psychotherapy has increased recently. Authorizing Korean Medical psychiatrists to utilize Korean mental Health resources is essential. This study could be helpful in understanding the current status for the purpose of expanding Korean Medical Psychotherapy.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.131-135
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• 2015

Since April 2012, more than 1,600 laboratory-confirmed human infections with Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) have been reported, occurring primarily in countries in the Arabian Peninsula; the majority in Saudi Arabia. The MERS outbreak in Korea, which began in May 2015 through the importation of a single case who had recently traveled to Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. As of November 28th, 186 secondary and tertiary cases had been reported; 38 deaths, mainly associated with underlying chronic illnesses, were reported. One case was exported to China and has been recorded as the first MERS case in China. Thirty-seven confirmed cases were associated with the index case, who was hospitalized from May 15 to May 17. Emergency room at one of the nation's largest hospitals had been affected by hospital-to-hospital and intra-hospital transmissions of MERS-CoV, resulting in an outbreak of 90 infected patients. The vast majority of 186 confirmed cases are linked to a single transmission chain associated with health facilities. The median age of patients is 55 years, with a range of 16 to 87 years. The majority (61%) of patients are men. Twenty-five (14%) of the cases involve healthcare workers. The overall median incubation period was six days, but it was four days for secondary cases and six days for tertiary cases. There has been no evidence of airborne transmission and sustained human-to-human transmission in communities. Intensified public health measures, including contact tracing, quarantine and isolation of all contacts and suspected cases, and infection prevention and control have brought the MERS-CoV under control in Korea. Since 4 July no new cases have been reported.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.347-353
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• 2001

Objectives : To determine the impacts of Diagnosis-Related Groups/Prospective Payment System (DRG/PPS) on the quality of care in cases of Cesarean section and to describe the policy implications for the early stabilization of DRG/PPS in Korea. Methods : Data was collected from the medical records of 380 patients who had undergone Cesarean sections in 40 hospitals participating in the DRG/PPS Demonstration Program since 1999. Cesarean sections were peformed in 122 patients of the FFS(Fee-For-Service) group and 258 patients of the DRG/PPS group. Measurements of quality used included essential tests of pre- and post-operation, and the PPI(Physician Performance Index) score. The PPI was developed by two obstetricians. Results : Univariate analysis demonstrated significant differences in PPI scores according to the payment systems. With respect to the mean of PPI scores, a higher score was found in the DRG/PPS group than in the FFS group. However, the adjusted effect did not show significant differences between the FFS group and the DRG/PPS group. Conclusion : This study suggested that the problem of poor quality may not be related to the implementation of DRG/PPS in Cesarean section. However, this study did not consider the validity and reliability of the process measurement, and it did not exclude the possibility of data emission in medical records.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.5 no.2
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• pp.53-62
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• 2011

This study is to inquire into the correlation between patients' knowledge and attitude about the implant denture, as well as to provide exact information for patients. The results are expected to be basic data to make patients have positive attitudes to the implant denture. The study was conducted on patients who visited dental hospitals located in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea, from 1 November to 31 December, 2009, the answer sheets from 198 patients analyzed. The results showed that 24.2% of respondents had implant dentures put in. Hereat, the t-test and the analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to analyze respondents' knowledge and attitude about the implant denture according to general characteristics. In relation to knowledge about the implant denture, respondents showed differences according to what levels of education they had and whether they had the implant dentures put in. The results of a correlation analysis showed that respondents' knowledge and attitude about the implant denture had a significant correlation with each other. In other words, respondents, who had a high degree of knowledge about the implant denture, had a more positive attitude to it. With the generalization of implant dentures, dental care providers have need to provide exact information about the implant denture for dental patients in order that they may comprehend it and have positive attitudes to it. In addition, there is a need to establish a system to provide the general public with exact information about the implant denture.