• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.79-117
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• 2023

Among the healthcare-related judgments handed down in 2002, there was a significant ruling on the timing of the duty of explanation, stating that, in order to ensure the exercise of the patient's right to self-determination, the patient must be given time to consider and decide on the risks and side effects of a medical procedure in specific circumstances. In addition, in a case where an insurance company claimed unjust enrichment against a medical institution on behalf of its insureds, the court provided a clear standard by distinguishing between active and passive requirements regarding the need to preserve the right of subrogation of creditors. In the area of medical administration, there was a ruling that clarified that a medical institution's business suspension under the National Health Insurance Act is directed against the medical institution, a ruling that broadly recognized causation in a case of compensation for side effects of corona vaccination, and a ruling on the scope of a medical practitioner's license, such as the use of ultrasound devices by an oriental medicine practitioner. In a case involving a patient's claim for eviction from a medical institution, the court reviewed a ruling on just cause for termination of a hospitalization contract in relation to Article 15(1) of the Medical law.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.261-280
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• 2013

Recently several hospitals have established a new nursing position so called, 'the nurse in charge of education (NCE).' The job description of NCE is to give a detail explanation on examination or test introduced to patients or a guide for those who are not familiar to hospital facilities at the out-patients level. The motivation of NCE position is the quality improvement in patient education on the sophisticated procedures or the follow up care for medical purposes to improve their compliances, as well in delivering services for outpatients or visitors in more informative and efficient way. The application of NCEA has been turned out positive and effective in patient satisfaction and unit management. However, special attention is brought to the scope and depth of the contents of education delivered by NCE which might overlap with the duty of physicians by the Medical Act. It is needed to clarify the role and job description of NCE in the context of Medical Act. The engagement of NCE to the Advanced Nursing Practitioner (ANP) is one of the possible solutions for a duty charge on patient education since ANP is a legislatively official position with higher license of RN at master level. Further discussion is needed to elaborate and arrange the details on the scope and content of patent education among health science professionals including RN, ANP and physicians.