• Health Policy and Management
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.115-131
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• 2011

Several common issues are encountered by countries - Germany, Japan, and the United States - that adopted long-term care (LTC) system. First, the demand for LTC and its associated costs have steeply risen following the implementation of the LTC policy. Second, ensuring the quality of services have been difficult. Third, the coordination of services among providers and between LTC and medical care has been inadequate. Learning from their experience, we suggest ways to improve the LTC system in Korea. The basic approach aims for efficiency over equity in the system. This would require promoting provider competition and consumer choice. We propose several policy options according to the major stakeholders. For consumers, cash benefits at fixed rates and personal savings accounts are feasible options to self-contain the demand and cost of services. On the insurer's side, creating an environment of multiple insurers will engender competition, leading to cost savings and quality care. For providers, delivery of quality services through competition, cost-containment through capitated reimbursements, and coordination of services through integrated delivery system can be achieved. From the assessors' perspective, establishing an information system to monitor the activities of insurers and providers would be important, empowering consumers with information to choose cost-effective service providers. In summary, the suggested approach would provide cost-effective LTC services by guaranteeing consumer choice and promoting major stakeholder accountability. Further studies are needed to test the feasibility of this model in ensuring quality LTC in Korea.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Library and Information Science
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.237-253
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• 2017

There are many systematic approaches to manage Interlibrary loan (ILL) efficiently. In this paper, we propose an operating method reducing user-waiting in ILL. Users are usually informed to wait around two to three days in a regional ILL service. The reason of the waiting is that there is inefficiency in running material-delivery vehicles. A mixed integer programming is employed to resolve this issue. It provides an optimal vehicle-route maximizing material-deliveries subject to time availability. We used an actual data of a regional ILL system to provide optimal vehicle routes under different time settings.

• Journal of Distribution Science
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• v.15 no.7
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• pp.35-41
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• 2017

Purpose - A product bundling is a marketing approach where multiple products or components are packaged together into one bundle solution. This paper aims to introduce an optimal bundle search problem (hereinafter called "OBSP") which may be embedded with online recommendation system to provide an optimized service considering pairwise discount and delivery cost. Research design, data, and methodology - Online retailers have their own discount policy and it is time consuming for online shoppers to find an optimal bundle. Unlike an online system recommending one item for each search, the OBSP considers multiple items for each search. We propose a mathematical formulation with numerical example for the OBSP and analyzed the complexity of the problem. Results - We provide two results from the complexity analysis. In general case, the OBSP belongs to strongly NP-Hard which means the difficulty of the problem while the special case of OBSP can be solved within polynomial time by transforming the OBSP into the minimum weighted perfect matching problem. Conclusions - In this paper, we propose the OBSP to provide a customized service considering bundling price and delivery cost. The results of research will be embedded with an online recommendation system to help customers for easy and smart online shopping.

• Journal of Korean Library and Information Science Society
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• v.29
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• pp.171-212
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• 1998

In this study, the concept, developments and the present situations of an electronic document delivery services, projects and systems are examined. Also the implications of an electronic document delivery services in the library and the future of the services are studied. Some conclusions and a few suggestions derived from the study are as follows : (1) An electronic document delivery services, one of the most innovative methods for delivering the needed materials to a researcher is now being incorporated into an important part of today's information industries. (2) The technological developments have made it possible to deliver nearly all the document formats electronically, and can make the shortest turnaround time to be 30minutes. The technology has also made it possible to develop user-friendly document delivery services by providing the various methods of requesting of, delivering of and charging for the materials. (3) Different types of institutions have made researches, tests, developments and implementation of an electronic document delivery techniques with different features. (4) The issues of copyrights and standards involved in an electronic document delivery still remain as the problems to be solved. (5) The increase and development of patron-initiated document delivery services have and will have some impacts on the library services with the possibility to pass by the librarians intermediation, but to deliver the materials directly to the end-users. (6) The library could take the outside electronic document delivery services as an opportunity. Accordingly, in order to incorporate this services in the interlibrary loan, collection development and other library services, the library should establish appropriate policies, guidelines and management strategies related to the operations. (7) In order to maximize the use of the electronic document delivery services, the library should provide an appropriate education for the librarian and users to have knowledge and skills on the changing techniques of the electronic document delivery and on the various features as well as changing mechanisms by each system and service.

• Journal of the Institute of Electronics Engineers of Korea CI
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• v.47 no.1
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• pp.185-191
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• 2010

We present the system architecture for service collision avoidance and propose the modified service session table and service collision avoidance scheme. The simulation results show that the proposed scheme reduces the number of unnecessary service request messages and service provisioning delivery time. Therefore Personal Server (PS) uses the battery efficiently and can use the service rapidly.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.127-137
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• 2005

This paper presents implementation of client-based VOD service using multicast delivery, Conventional system provide server-based system in multicast delivery but implemented system provides on-demand client-based multicast system. The Multicast Agent Scheduler aggregates clients' request and it generate multicast group addresses and port numbers according to requested video items and service request time. Then it transmits immediately multicast address to VOD server and client who request service. And then VOD server transmits requested streams with a multicast group address and the client joins the group automatically. The Multicast Agent Scheduler assigns the same multicast group address when other clients request an identical video within the same scheduling duration. The proposed system can reduce load of server and support many clients at the same time and applies it to WMT(window media technology) of Microsoft.

• Asia Marketing Journal
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.53-78
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• 1999

Despite of the vibrant nature of the fitness industry, there has not been a sustained effort to understand the dynamics of the industry, particularly with reference to the quality of services offered in that industry. The purpose of this paper is to present a system based process model of quality in health/fitness services. The characteristics of the organization, the service employees and the client are the inputs into the service encounter where the service is produced (i.e., the throughput). The output is the quality of the service. The extent of quality perceived by both the service provider and the client is said to influence the satisfaction of the respective parties, and subsequent motivation to participate in the production of quality in the service. The model also suggests that physical environment as well as other customers and their behaviors influence customer perception of service quality. The quality of service is enhanced through the quality assurance practices of the organization and the feedback from client. Further, the input, throughput, and output in our model reflect (a) quality of the design of the service delivery system, (b) objective quality of the product, and (c) quality as perceived by client. The specific attributes of the design element (i.e., organization, service employee, and the client) are elaborated upon. It is suggested that the organization can assure quality by seeking feedback from clients and service employees, monitoring the service production phases, and managing inter-customer interactions.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.46-69
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• 2001

Hospice Care is the best way to care for terminally ill patients and their family members. However most of them can not receive the appropriate hospice service because the Korean health delivery system is mainly be focussed on acutly ill patients. This study was carried out to clarify the situation of hospice in Korea and to develop a hospice care delivery system model which is appropriate in the Korean context. The theoretical framework of this study that hospice care delivery system is composed of hospice resources with personnel, facilities, etc., government and non-government hospice organization, hospice finances, hospice management and hospice delivery, was taken from the Health Delivery System of WHO(1984). Data was obtained through data analysis of litreature, interview, questionairs, visiting and Delphi Technique, from October 1998 to April 1999 involving 56 hospices, 1 hospice research center, 3 non-government hospice organizations, 20 experts who have had hospice experience for more than 3 years(mean is 9 years and 5 months) and officials or members of 3 non-government hospice organizations. There are 61 hospices in Korea. Even though hospice personnel have tried to study and to provide qualified hospice serices, there is nor any formal hospice linkage or network in Korea. This is the result of this survey made to clarify the situation of Korean hospice. Results of the study by Delphi Technique were as follows: 1.Hospice Resources: Key hospice personnel were found to be hospice coordinator, doctor, nurse, clergy, social worker, volunteers. Necessary qualifications for all personnel was that they conditions were resulted as have good health, receive hospice education and have communication skills. Education for hospice personnel is divided into (i)basic training and (ii)special education, e.g. palliative medicine course for hospice specialist or palliative care course in master degree for hospice nurse specialist. Hospice facilities could be developed by adding a living room, a space for family members, a prayer room, a church, an interview room, a kitchen, a dining room, a bath facility, a hall for music, art or work therapy, volunteers' room, garden, etc. to hospital facilities. 2.Hospice Organization: Whilst there are three non-government hospice organizations active at present, in the near future an hospice officer in the Health&Welfare Ministry plus a government Hospice body are necessary. However a non-government council to further integrate hospice development is also strongly recommended. 3.Hospice Finances: A New insurance standards, I.e. the charge for hospice care services, public information and tax reduction for donations were found suggested as methods to rise the hospice budget. 4.Hospice Management: Two divisions of hospice management/care were considered to be necessary in future. The role of the hospice officer in the Health & Welfare Ministry would be quality control of hospice teams and facilities involved/associated with hospice insurance standards. New non-government integrating councils role supporting the development of hospice care, not insurance covered. 5.Hospice delivery: Linkage&networking between hospice facilities and first, second, third level medical institutions are needed in order to provide varied and continous hospice care. Hospice Acts need to be established within the limits of medical law with regards to standards for professional staff members, educational programs, etc. The results of this study could be utilizes towards the development to two hospice care delivery system models, A and B. Model A is based on the hospital, especially the hospice unit, because in this setting is more easily available the new medical insurance for hospice care. Therefore a hospice team is organized in the hospital and may operate in the hospice unit and in the home hospice care service. After Model A is set up and operating, Model B will be the next stage, in which medical insurance cover will be extended to home hospice care service. This model(B) is also based on the hospital, but the focus of the hospital hospice unit will be moved to home hospice care which is connected by local physicians, national public health centers, community parties as like churches or volunteer groups. Model B will contribute to the care of terminally ill patients and their family members and also assist hospital administrators in cost-effectiveness.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-18
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• 2013

Purpose: Antidotes for toxicological emergencies can be life-saving. However, there is no nationwide stocking and delivery system for emergency antidotes in Korea. We report on a two-year experience of a nationwide stocking and delivery trial for emergency antidotes at emergency departments in Korea. Methods: An expert panel of clinical toxicologists reviewed and made a list of 15 stocked antidote. These antidotes were purchased or imported from other countries and delivered from 14 antidote stocking hospitals nationwide 24 hours per day, seven days per week. Results: From August 1, 2011 to April 30, 2013, 177 patients with acute poisoning, with a median age of 48.5 years, were administered emergency antidotes. The causes of poisoning were intentional in 52.0% and 88.0% were intentional as a suicide attempt. Regarding clinical severity, using the poisoning severity score, 40.7% of patients had severe to fatal poisoning and 39.0% had moderate poisoning according to clinical severity. The most frequent presenting symptom was neurologic deficit, such as altered mentality (62.7%). alerted mentality (62.7%). Emergency antidotes were administered as follows: methylene blue (49 cases), flumazenil (31), N-acetylcysteine (25), glucagon (17), 100% ethanol (15), cyanide antidote kit (12), anti-venin immunoglobulin (5), pyridoxine (4), hydroxocobalamine (2), and deferoxamine (1). The median time interval from antidote request to delivery at the patient's bedside was 95 minutes (interquartile range 58.8-125.8). Conclusion: Findings of this study demonstrated the possibility of successful operation of the nationwide system of emergency antidotes stocking and delivery in Korea.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
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• v.9 no.4 s.32
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• pp.55-59
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• 2004

Recently the wireless-internet has been spreading extensively. People are spending a large part of their time gaining access to information using a mobile device. However. limited process speed. low bandwidth, the low battery capacity of mobile devices and a high rate of wireless network errors brings out many overheads during service time with server for service. In this paper, we suggest an autonomous service delivery system. which provides mobile agent capability to users that can not maintain a connection. We have developed the system based on java mobile agent technology. Using this system, we can provide more effective services to users when the user is sending requirements of service through a mobile device that has limited resources and can manage the contact server dynamically when new services are added.