• Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.869-881
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• 2023

A genetic improvement program in Korea was implemented to improve the performance of Hanwoo cattle by generating livestock with genetically desirable economic characteristics. In particular, in response to external changes, such as the expansion of Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the livestock genetic improvement program has increased farm income by improving the productivity and quality of Hanwoo cattle. Using production cost data from Statistics Korea, the total input and output indices of Hanwoo feeding cattle from 2008 - 2021 were estimated and the growth and productivity changes were analyzed. The productivity change measures results were used to estimate the cumulative effects of the Hanwoo genetic improvement program on quality improvement, another purpose of the program, using a finite distributed lag model. The average annual increase in output (market weight) of Hanwoo was 0.9%. However, total input increased by 1.6%, resulting in a 0.6% decline in total factor productivity. In contrast, the Hanwoo genetic improvement program contributed significantly to the production of high quality beef, rather than contributing to improved productivity of the cattle. Hanwoo carcass weight, which is used as a performance indicator for the livestock genetic improvement program, has significantly improved and is projected to increase at a slower rate. The collective findings indicate the need for new performance indicators that can comprehensively indicate the performance of the genetic improvement of Hanwoo.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.23-33
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of an integrated health improvement program for the elderly based on primary health care posts during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A single group pretest-posttest design (n=16) was employed to evaluate an integrated health improvement program that took place twice a week for 11 weeks. The program was conducted in a small group of no more than 10 people in compliance with the guidelines to prevent COVID-19 infection. The program consisted of various contents such as making letters using blocks, health education, and talking about one's memories. The data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed rank test. Results: Following the program, social support (Z=-3.50, p<.001) and quality of life of the elderly (Z=-3.74, p<.001) were significantly improved among depression, social support and quality of life. Conclusion: The integrated health improvement program based on primary health care posts, considered in this study, was useful to improve the social support and quality of life of the elderly in the community, and needs to be applied to a larger number of elderly people throughout the community.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.43-51
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• 2011

Objectives : The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of oriental medicine public-health program on frozen shoulder patients. Methods : Oriental medicine public-health program was done to 50 frozen shoulder patients who visited Eumseong-gun public health center. Oriental medicine treatment(twice a week for 12 weeks) and prevention-educaiton program was included in public-health program. The schedule was proceeded from 16th March 2010 to 3rd June 2010. The efficacy of program was measured by visual analog scale (VAS), ROM(range of motion), Apley scratch test and Life function score, sleep quality score of their first and last visit. Then we analyzed the improvement in the same group. Results : 1. In VAS change, program showed statistically significant improvement. 2. In ROM(flexion, extension, abduction, adduction) and apley scratch test, program showed statistically significant improvement. 3. In Life function score, program showed statistically significant improvement. 4. In sleep quality score, program also showed improvement, but didn't do statistical significans. Conclusions : The above results suggest that oriental medicine public-health program can be used as effective method for frozen shoulder's treatment and care.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.121-127
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• 2017

The effort to measure and improve the quality of healthcare is a common health policy issue worldwide. Korean Value Incentive Programme is one of that effort, but some concerns exist. Compared to pay for performance program in other countries, it measures healthcare quality with relatively narrow performance domain using a small number of clinical indicators. It was designed without involving hospitals and other key stakeholder, and program participation was mandated. Highest and lowest performers get bonus and penalty using relative ranking. As a suggestion for development, the direction for quality management at the national level should be given first. Therefore the philosophy or strategy for quality improvement should be reflected to the program. And various domains and indicators of healthcare quality should be developed with active communication with healthcare providers. The evaluation method is necessary to be changed to provide achievable goal to the healthcare providers and attract quality improvement.

• Journal of Korean Society for Atmospheric Environment
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.108-121
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• 2008

On January 1, 2005, the Korean Ministry of Environment put into operation a comprehensive program, so called 'Blue Sky 21' project, for the improvement of air quality in greater Seoul metropolitan area. This program was legally based on the 'Special Act on Metropolitan Air Quality Improvement' for Greater Seoul area, which was established in 2003, and should be updated every 10 years. The principal objective of this program is to improve the air quality in Seoul and surrounding area by 2014 to the levels of air quality in Tokyo and Paris, with particular emphases on reducing the concentrations of nitrogen dioxide and $PM_{10}$. Any regulation of the emission of toxic air pollutants in general, and $NO_2$ and $PM_{10}$ in particular, should be based on human exposure levels and consequential health effects. In this article, the contents and feasibility of the special program were critically evaluated with respect to the reduction of health risks. Important issues for improving not only air quality but public health are discussed, and future requirements for the success of the special program are suggested.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.12-31
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to develop the qualification system for training of Quality improvement professionals who work for improving patients' safety and healthcare quality. Methods : Based on the various laws and regulations, and the operational status of other professionals' qualification systems, a basic plan of professional qualification system of QI was drawn. And through meetings with QI experts, the final scheme of the concrete qualification system was developed. Results : For management of professionals's certification or qualification, fairness and reliability are important. To do this, setting the official standard, providing a standardized training program and having appropriate qualification test are required. In order to operate the qualification system strategically, 1) the introduction step, 2) dissemination and expansion step, and 3) fusing step should be considered. As a governing body for QI specialists' qualification, 'QI professionals' qualification Center (tentative)' must have the committee to assure fairness, professionalism, and reliability. In addition, 'QI Experts Certification Department (tentative)" to develop standards for the qualification tests and conduct the tests program,' QI experts Education Department (tentative name)" must be able to operate and maintain the QI training for professional qualifications. QI professional qualification exam must be taken by everyone regardless of age, gender, race, occupation, education, and work experience. The examination should include management, leadership, strategic planning and design, quality management, health care information, patient safety culture. Practical training courses can have three step programs; beginning, intermediate and special level. Conclusion : The QI qualification system need strategic approaches for the experts working for healthcare quality improvement and patient safety. It should include the program of standardized contents and test, and operating protocol of the qualificaton system.

• The KIPS Transactions:PartD
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• v.12D no.1 s.97
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• pp.91-102
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• 2005

In the past it was generally felt that software quality was the same as product quality. But as the software industry is getting bigger and more complex, it has become hard to develop quality software that meets customers' needs just depending on product quality. Therefore, lately many domestic and foreign companies are making efforts to upgrade product quality by implementing Process Improvement. Measurement in Process Improvement activities enhances the effect of Process Improvement, and also identifies and helps the activities. In support of this paper, research on the measurement program was conducted based on the CMMI adopted by many domestic and foreign companies for their process improvement model. MA process area that deals with measurement process setup is one of the CMMI process areas and was the basis of the structure of the measurement program. This study presents differences of the measurement program for each level of CMMI and how to apply it. The results of this study can help a business to apply CMMI-based Process Improvement by backing up the structure of the measurement program. Furthermore, it can offer a roadmap for progress of the measurement program for each level.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.126-135
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• 1995

Background: Korean Hospital Standardization Program(KHSP), as a hospital accreditation program initiated and promoted by Korean Hospital Association since 1981, has played a key role in the hospital quality improvement in structural aspect particularly. Recently, however, KHSP has been critisized by hospitals and health personnels in that it is unpractical to be utilized as an initiative to improve hospital quality. In particular, the section of quality assurance in KHSP, strongly influenced by old version of Hospital Accreditation of Joint Commission in U.S.A., has been required to be fundamentally revised. For design of new criteria in quality assurance section, a survey for evaluation of existing program and collection of opinions for ideal one was conducted. Methods: For a month in 1994, structured questionnaires were administered by mailing to 470 hospital staffs from 200 hospitals, participated in the survey for the 1994 KHSP in each hospital. The total number of respondents was 116. Results: Less than half of the respondents(34.5%) value positively on the impact of current KHSP in general on the quality improvement of their hospitals. Moreover, most responses indicated that KHSP should be reorganized towards more practical and applicable one. Current KHSP criteria for quality activities in hospitals were regarded as a unpractical one which should be basically renewed. For new criteria and standards, most respondents emphasized the importance of applicability of those in real situations. Conclusion: For the KHSP to be effective, new evaluation criteria for quality activities should be more practical and fully accommodated to hospital situations in reality.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.148-155
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• 2012

Since the reformation of the National Health Insurance Act in 2000, the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) in the Republic of Korea has performed quality assessments for healthcare providers. The HIRA Value Incentive Program (VIP), established in July 2007, provides incentives for excellent-quality institutions and disincentives for poorquality ones. The program is implemented based on data collected between July 2007 and December 2009. The goal of the VIP is to improve the overall quality of care and decrease the quality gaps among healthcare institutions. Thus far, the VIP has targeted acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and Caesarian section (C-section) care. The incentives and disincentives awarded to the hospitals by their composite quality scores of the AMI and C-section scores. The results of the VIP showed continuous and marked improvement in the composite quality scores of the AMI and C-section measures between 2007 and 2010. With the demonstrated success of the VIP project, the Ministry of Health and Welfare expanded the program in 2011 to include general hospitals. The HIRA VIP was deemed applicable to the Korean healthcare system, but before it can be expanded further, the program must overcome several major concerns, as follows: inclusion of resource use measures, rigorous evaluation of impact, application of the VIP to the changing payment system, and expansion of the VIP to primary care clinics.

• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.269-278
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the results of the productivity innovation partnership program and propose the method for improvement. We investigated 90 companies which are sub-contractors of Samsung Electronics, LG electronics, POSCO and so on. Methods: We developed and carried out a survey and analyzed the results of the program. The interviews are also performed. Results: This study shows that the partnership program is a effective method for improving quality and productivity of sub-contractors and it is necessary to extend coverage of this program. Conclusion: We suggested some improvement points of the partnership program and they are to be applied in the next year. The results show that the suggestion is helpful and valuable.