• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.38-52
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of the study is to suggest the main functions and implications of public hospitals to effectively respond to the future epidemic crisis based on analyzing the accessibility to designated Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) medical institutions of Seoul and examining the main features of the quarantine of Seoul municipal hospitals. Method: To analyze the response and function of Seoul municipal hospitals, we reviewed the Infectious Disease Control and Prevention ACT, 258 articles of Seoul Metropolitan Government press releases from January to the end of April, 48 articles of Seoul Metropolitan Government's daily newsletters, 2019 Health Bureau Budget report. We also referred to internal data of Seoul Children's Hospital, Seoul Seobuk Hospital, and Seoul Eunpyeong Hospital during the same period. Besides, the accessibility to medical institutions was analyzed by using the COVID-19 data which was announced daily basis. Results: The accessibility of COVID-19 patients living in the Southeastern part of Seoul to a medical institutions was 16.2km on a distance basis, and it was the lowest accessibility among four regions of Seoul since it took about 40 minutes by car. On the other hand, patients living in the Northeast part had the highest accessibility, as the access to medical institutions was 10.7km and 27 minutes by car. Also, the main functions of the municipal hospital of Seoul against COVID-19 were to shift the public hospital function to COVID-19 patients only hospitals, to perform the epidemiological investigation by medical doctors, and to support the operation of self-isolation facilities, community treatment centers and triage rooms of community health centers. Conclusion: Through the experience of COVID-19, we suggested that the functions of public hospitals will be reorganized as the reinforcement of infectious disease treatment and mental health for quarantined patients, cooperation with private hospitals, supporting for strengthening community health capacity and preparation for another epidemic.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.38-47
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• 2019

Purposes: Rapid aging and increase of high chronic diseases of the elderly are increasing the needs for expanding elderly care beyond the concept of treatment in medical institutions. This study is to discuss the core values, functions, and roles of municipal hospitals and suggest a suitable community care model. Methodology: The survey was collected twice derived from the domestic expert groups. This study analyzed experts' responses using Delphi method and Analytic Hierarchy Process, using Microsoft Excel 2016. Findings: Among the core values of the municipal hospitals, it was shown that community linkage had the highest priority. The publicity had the highest priority among the functions and roles of the municipal hospitals. In the community care models presented in this study, the model focused on 'Community Care Integration Center' showed highest relevance, suitability and applicability. Practical Implications: This study suggested three different community care models and derived the most suitable model for community care, which is focused on the municipal hospitals. It suggested effective application of the community care model to promote community care in each community.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.289-303
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• 2013

This study looks at priorities in managing public hospitals by figuring out categories needed to examine the quality of each hospital. In order to analyze priorities and relative importance of valuation indicator in Seoul municipal hospitals, surveys were sent via e-mail to medical professionals who have participated in evaluation of municipal hospitals. The analytic hierarchy process (AHP) was conducted using the Expert Choice 11.5 program. The results show that 'providing public service' is considered to be the most important category for all kinds of public hospitals, followed by 'improving the quality of medical care', 'hospital management and governance', and 'efficient hospital management'. The importance of 'hospital management and governance' and 'efficient hospital management' is different depending on the types of hospitals, but the importance of 'providing public service' and 'improving the quality of care' remains the same regardless of the types of hospitals. Based on these results, the study comes to a conclusion that public hospitals should place high value on certain categories and their management purposes should differ depending on their specific fields and characteristics. This study will help furthering discussions on the identity and roles of public hospitals.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.445-453
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• 2019

Background: This study is to investigate the association between the distribution of multimorbidity and length of stay and medical expenses among inpatients in a municipal hospital to achieve an integrated care setting. Methods: We used the exploratory factor analysis and the generalized estimating equation model to analyze the data from patients living in the northeast region of Seoul, who were hospitalized from January 2017 to December 2017 in a municipal hospital. Results: As a result of the factor analysis, seven types of multiple chronic diseases were classified. Among the elderly patients admitted to municipal hospitals, the burden of medical expenses was mainly influenced by the length of stay (B=310,719, p-value <0.0001), not the type of disease (all not significant). Length of stay were mainly due to psychiatric illness (factor 1: B=4.323, p-value <0.0001) related to the brain and metabolic diseases (factor 2: B=2.364, p-value=0.003). Conclusion: This study showed that the medical expenses of the elderly patients were largely due to prolonged hospitalization, not multimorbidity. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an integrated care paradigm strategy cope with the multimorbidity of the elderly in the community and to alleviate the socio-economic burden.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.578-591
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to identify the health behaviors, health status, and utilization patterns of health care institutions for homeless shelter residents as well as to compare these research outcomes between younger and older male homeless shelter residents. Methods: The subjects in this study were 357 homeless shelter residents that were recruited by simple random sampling. Data were collected from August to September 2009. Health behaviors, health status, and utilization patterns of health care institutions were measured using structured questionnaires. Data were analyzed using the Chi square test and Fisher's exact test using SPSS 14.0. Results: Both younger and older male subjects showed unhealthy behaviors, and their health status was lower than that of the Health & Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2009. Subjects preferred to utilize national or municipal hospitals as well as pharmacies as opposed to general hospitals, clinics, and public health centers. Conclusion: Differentiated comprehensive health care services and monitoring should be provided to homeless shelter residents based on the needs of each group in order to improve their health status as well as to prevent communicable diseases and complications of chronic diseases.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.12
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• pp.921-930
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• 2013

Objective: After introduction of the Elderly Long Term Care Insurance, number of geriatric hospitals increased greatly. However, few studies were conducted on the satisfaction of the patients of the geriatric hospitals especially on the intention to reuse geriatric hospitals. Methods: The current study modified Sheth's consumption value model, useful for the development of an effective marketing strategy for geriatric hospitals, and tested it in Korean circumstances. The survey was conducted at two municipal hospitals and three private hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province between August 1 and September 30 of 2012. Data were collected from 472 inpatients who are 60 years or older. The structured research tool was developed and distributed. Factor analysis and hierarchical logistic regression analysis were conducted using SPSS(version 14.0) Results: The result of the research suggested that the satisfaction on rehabilitation services, which is a functional value, among the consumption values was the strongest factor on the intention to reuse geriatric hospitals. Impression of high-end luxury, reliability of care, and outside locus of control on health followed. Conclusion: It is recommended that geriatric hospitals ought to improve rehabilitation programs, facilities, and equipments and enhance kindness of staff to encourage intention to reuse geriatric hospitals.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.103-120
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• 2020

Objective : This study aims to understand the phenomenon of social admission in Korea's rehabilitation system by analyzing the perspectives of occupational therapists. Methods : We developed a written questionnaire based on RSAT and, in August 2019, distributed it to occupational therapists with more than three years of experience at the time. Data were analyzed using the van Kaam's method. Further, high frequency words were analyzed by word cloud in order to extract significant statements. Results : Forty-six written interviews were collected from various areas of Korea. We analyzed the data into 2 categories, 4 themes, 13 sub-themes. The two categories were 'hospital system' and 'external factors of occupational therapy practice'. The themes according to 'hospital system' were 'difficulties in implementing multidisciplinary approach' and 'inadequate discharge planning system'. The themes according to 'internal and external factors of occupational therapy' were analyzed as 'difficulties of occupational therapists' and 'difficulties in occupational therapy practice'. Conclusion : Occupational therapists in rehabilitation hospitals recognize that the reason for social admission is insufficient insurance systems related to occupational therapy services in rehab hospitals. This leads to difficulties in occupational therapy practice. We need to develop the insurance systems that can meet patient needs for social recovery.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.109-121
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine factors influencing patient satisfaction with medical services in hospital, which is classified into environmental aspect, human services and procedural services. Based on the results of literature review, the study focused on effects of social-demographical factors on patient satisfaction. The environmental aspect of medical care services included medical equipment and facilities, hygiene, ventilation, heating and air-conditioning, waiting and resting space, ward space and parking facilities. Procedural service included registration process, bill payment, waiting time after registration, examination and prescription as well as appointment process. Human services consisted of physicians listening to stories of patients, examination duration, physicians' explanation and physicians' service. As for nurses, explanation about disease, examination procedure and results, kindness and nursing care were evaluated. Services provided by other staff members were also evaluated. Patient satisfaction, defined as individual attitude toward medical service as a whole, was measured using a questionnaire. A total of 700 in-or out-patients were surveyed in 6 hospitals with more than 300 beds in North Gyeongbuk Province. 1. The level of patient satisfaction varied with characteristics of patients. Male patients and those in their 30s had a low level of satisfaction. Dissatisfaction level was positively related to education level but negatively related to economic condition. 2. As for patient satisfaction with medical service providers and other employees in hospital, satisfaction level with physician's explanation about treatment was higher. But dissatisfaction levels with treatment duration and the lack of explanation about examination procedures were high, calling for improvement. Dissatisfaction level with nursing care was high, calling for training of nurses for better service. Given the low level of satisfaction with human services, hospital employees need to be trained to improve their service. 3. It Was found that administrative service was also a significant factor influencing patient satisfaction in addition to medical service. It is therefore important for hospitals to provide patients with prompt and convenient procedural service. 4. Environmental factors such as medical equipment and amenity facilities also affected patient satisfaction. Thus environmental condition, procedural service and human service are all important to improve medical service in hospital. In summary, procedural service was the most significant factor for patient satisfaction. The level of satisfaction in patients was also affected by human service and environmental condition. It is therefore necessary to take patient-oriented approach in providing medical service in an effort to improve patient satisfaction. The finding of a lower level of satisfaction with human service signifies the need for training of healthcare providers and other hospital employees for better services. The introduction of advanced management programs is also needed to improve procedures that patients go through in hospitals.