• Health Policy and Management
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.355-365
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• 2020

Background: This study is aimed to verify individual and regional-level factors affecting the depression of Koreans and to develop social programs for improving the depressive status. Methods: This study used individual-level variables from the Korean Community Health Survey (2018) and used the e-regional index of the Korean Statistical Information Service as the regional-level variable. A multi-level logistic regression was executed to identify individual and regional-level variables that were expected to affect the extent of depressive symptoms and to draw the receiver operating characteristic curve to compare the volume of impact between variables from both levels. Results: The results of the multi-level logistic regression analysis in regards to individual-level factors showed that older age, female gender, a lower income level, a lower education level, not having a spouse, the practice of walking, the consumption of breakfast higher levels of stress, and having high blood pressure or diabetes were associated with a greater increase in depressive symptoms. In terms of regional factors, areas with fewer cultural facilities and fewer car registration had higher levels of depressive symptoms. The comparison of area under the curve showed that individual factors had a greater influence than regional factors. Conclusion: This study showed that while both, individual and regional-level factors affect depression, the influence of the latter was relatively weaker as compared to the first. In this sense, it is necessary to develop programs focused on the individual, such as social prescribing at the local or community-level, rather than the city and nation-level approach that are currently prevalent.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.40-59
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• 2005

The objective of this paper is to examine what impact the newly introduced Purchasing Price Reimbursement System, where insurance drugs are reimbursed at the prices as they were purchased by medical care providers under the maximum allowable cap, has upon the health insurer's financing situation. The impact of the Purchasing Price Reimbursement System is considered to be confined mainly to the inpatient department among three drug reimbursement fields such as inpatient department, out-patient department and pharmacy. Hypothesis was set and tested in this study for each of three components of inpatient drug reimbursement in health insurance, i.e. average price level, composition of drugs and their overall volume. Drug price level calculated in this study from 403 selected reimbursement drugs according to the Laspayres methodology revealed faster decline under the new Purchasing Price Reimbursement System than previously by $1.53\%$ on the annual average basis. However, additional 1.4 percent financial burden in the ratio of the total inpatient reimbursement was owed by the health insurer. This was analysed to be a combined result of both 2.0-3.1 percent of reduced reimbursement due to drug price decline and 3.4-4.5 percent of additional reimbursement due to drug volume increase. These results suggest that recalling the Purchasing Price Reimbursement System would not have so much impact upon the health insurer's financial situation given that the current compulsory separation between doctor's prescribing and pharmacist's dispensing is irrevocable.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.23-35
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• 2002

Fiscal crisis in the medical insurance system has put the pressure upon hospitals by increasing the rate of curtailment, since the implementation of the separation of prescription and dispensing of medicine. The purpose of this study is to analyse the curtailment of mdical and drug expenditure before and after the system of separation between prescribing and dispensing and to suggest the problems about current inspection system. Data were obtained from 13 general hospitals and used for analysis of trends on medical & drug expenditure, and curtailment in 1999-2000 at three months intervals. The results were as follows; The scale of curtailment for drug expenditure has been increased on outpatient and inpatient since 2000. For the curtailed drug cost with outpatient, the ratio of curtailed drug expenditure has been increased in the case of prescription within the hospital. These results suggest that review system in social insurance were over-focused to control the cost and it might to impede the validity of review function in insurance system. Therefore, it' s needed to develope the scientific and reasonable criteria for Inspection and evaluation of durg expenditure.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Clinical Toxicology
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.35-38
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• 2022

Many commonly used household chemicals and medical eye drops look alike, resulting in a worldwide increase in incidences of accidents caused by confusion between similar-looking agents. In this case report, we present two patients who visited the emergency department following inadvertent instillation of tinea pedis treatment solution instead of eye drops. Both patients developed corneal chemical burns following the accidental application. Notably, the visual acuity and symptoms eventually recovered for both patients after hospitalization. However, complete recovery occurred only after several weeks. Both patients were relatively old and had been prescribed eye drops after previous ophthalmic surgery. Since the eye is a sensory organ that receives visual information, ocular injuries significantly affect the quality of life and social functioning of the patient. Incidences of accidental misidentification of eye drops are steadily increasing in South Korea; unfortunately, regulatory policies are unavailable to avoid such hazards. Therefore, physicians should be mindful of the potential risks associated with misidentification of everyday household products and must spend time educating patients when prescribing eye drops. Policy regulations are warranted for products with containers that resemble eye drop bottles. Such items need to be clearly labeled with additional warnings to prevent misidentification and accidental ocular instillation.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.7-17
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the operational status and current management of Sub-Health Centers in Limpio, Paraguay. Second, understanding the use of Sub-Health Centers and Perceptions of Sub-Health Centers in Limpio, Paraguay. Third, Providing policy implications for strengthening the Health Delivery System in Paraguay. Methods: The survey of the current status of sub-health centers in Limpio was conducted with observation and interview. Utilization of Sub-Health centers was analyzed in the 2018 Paraguay Community Health Survey. A face to face interview was conducted to complete a questionnaire and 831 samples were collected for the study. Results: In order to perform the normal function of the sub-health center, it will be necessary to allocate manpower that meets the standard. A common problem with sub-health centers in Limpio is that they have an environment vulnerable to rain. Currently, there are no health promotion and communicable disease management programs in sub-health center. Satisfaction of users about treatment, equipment, medicines and cleanleness of rooms. Implications: First, it is necessary to allocate human resources and organize spaces according to the standard. Second, there was a problem caused by moisture, and continuous maintenance and repair are required. Third, water and sewage related facilities must be safely improved to prevent contamination of groundwater. Forth, it is necessary to implement a program that fits the role of the sub-health center. Fifth, it is necessary to form a health delivery system considering the accessibility of residents. Finally, it is necessary to discuss the location of sub-health center considering travel time of Limpio residents.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.99-115
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose for this study was to identify the present state of Clinical Nurses with Expanded Role (CNERs) and provide basic data to refine the roles of CNERs. In this study, CNREs refers to nurses who perform techniques traditionally done by doctors and use titles such as clinical nursing specialist, educator with consultation, research assistant, coordinator, physician assistant and special examiner. Method: This study was conducted from September 1 to November 12, 2007. Data from 684 nurses from 38 hospitals who responded to the questionnaire were analyzed with descriptive statistics using the SPSS 14.0 program. Results: The mean percentage of time spent was, for direct practice, 41.1%, for education and counseling, 22.8%, for consultation and coordination, 10.4%, for research, 6.8%, for administration, 8.9% and for other activities, 10.0%. The most frequently implemented CNERs, activities included consultation and education for patients and their families, counseling by telephone, history taking, physical examination, reading examination results, psychosocial assessment, managing treatment, input of prescriptions, and writing up patient records, Although not frequently performed, nurses in some fields carried out invasive procedures and prescribed medication and laboratory tests. Conclusion: Although the number of hospital CNERs are rapidly increasing, there is still confusion about the title and framework as well as standards. Furthermore, because some nurses are prescribing medication and laboratory tests as well as performing techniques not traditionally done by nurses, there is an absolute need for a legalized system and systematic education system for the safety of patients who are being cared by all CNERs.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.53-61
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• 2014

Background: The use of health functional food (HFF) is increasing and will continue to rise worldwide. Concerns about HFF-drug interactions are increasing as HFF are becoming more widely used. Therefore, awareness of consumers' perceptions and behaviors associated with HFF use may help health care providers improve their communications with patients. Purpose: The aim of this study was to assess the characteristics, perceptions, and behaviors associated with HFF use in South Korea. Method: The online survey was conducted from September 21th to October 7th, 2013. With the aid of Social Network Service (SNS) and google, the questionnaire was posted online on internet website targeting people aged 15 years or older so that self-reported data covering 4 domains were collected from 257 Koreans. Results: A total of 257 people responded the questionnaire. Among them, 81.3% reported experiences of HFF use. Female were more likely than male to use HFFs. There were no differences in demographic characteristics between HFF users and non-users in relation to age, education, and household income. Higher level of education was associated with high-level perception of HFF function (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.48, 10.1) and a positive relationship was observed between the maximum number of HFFs used concurrently and age of the respondents. Among the HFF users, 42.6% reported concurrent HFF-medication use. However 73.3% of them did not disclose their use to physician or pharmacist and only 30.2% were informed about potential drug-HFF interactions. Pharmacy was most commonly reported as the source from which the respondents were informed about potential interactions. Conclusion: Many people had used HFF and medications concurrently while not being informed about potential HFF-drug interactions. Pharmacists and physicians should be vigilant for risk of the interactions and actively determine whether the patient is using an HFF before prescribing and administrating medications.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.93-110
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• 2003

Fiscal crisis in the medical insurance has put the pressure upon hospitals by increasing the rate of curtailment, since the implementation of the separation between prescription and dispensing of Drug. The purpose of this study is to analyze the curtailment for antibiotics, injected drug and other drugs expenditure before and after the system of separation between prescribing and dispensing. Data were gathered from 13 general hospitals and used for analysis of trends on antibiotics and injected drug expenditure, and curtailment in 2000-2001 at three months intervals. The results were as follows; The curtailment rate of antibiotics expenditure has been increased in outpatient and inpatient since 2000. The curtailed antibiotics cost and injected drug cost in outpatient under the prescription within the hospital and in inpatient increased. The ratios of curtailment versus expenditure had increased in antibiotics, injected drugs, anticancer drugs, antiulcer drugs, albumine, antiinflammatory drugs. These results suggest that claim review system in social health insurance were over-focused mainly to control the cost and it might to impede the validity of claim review function in health insurance system. Therefore, it's needed to develope the scientific and reasonable parameter & criteria for claim review of drug expenditure.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.1-16
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• 2022

Backgrounds : Doctor of Osteopathy (D.O.) in the United States have drawn attention as one of the future models of Korean Medicine doctors in Korea in that they have their own fields of care and therapies that distinguish them from medical doctor (M.D.), but are also able to carry out the treatment of general doctors. By analyzing D.O.'s specialization strategy, this study intends to preview points for establishing the future role of Korean Medicine doctors. Methods : We searched books, research papers, reports, conference presentations, and media articles, and chronologically classified and organized the collected data. In addition, the latest update information on related institutions' web pages and expert opinions released were also reviewed. Results : The D.O. emerged as a form of doctor in alternative medicine, however it rapidly turned to an M.D. substitute during the pandemic of the 1910s and World War II in the 1940s. Through the American Osteopathic Association (AOA)'s organizational activity, curriculum specialization, research development, and financial support, D.O. now has secured the status of M.D. in 50 states and federal law in the US. It has its own and exclusive full practice rights, capable of prescribing drugs and practicing surgery, as well as manual therapy. Beginning in July 2020, M.D.-D.O. achieved the full integration-unification of the professional training and residency program. Conclusions : In order to introduce the D.O. model to Korean Medicine system, it is necessary to strengthen biomedicine in the curriculum, and significantly expand the educational infrastructure and faculty manpower.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.17-26
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify policy implications for the construction of public health facilities in the field of international cooperation, by examining the case of establishing a health care delivery system using a public health center in a rural area of Paraguay. Methods: Firstly, to map the capacity of the 20 public health centers that were studied, we used the WHO Capacity Mapping tool to select and analyze relevant items. Secondly, to assess the utilization of public health centers, we conducted a direct visit survey and analyzed the results using the M-survey tool. Results: The floor plan of each public health center, the structure of the health center, the size of the population served by each health center, the number of monthly visitors, medical human resources, and the budget were classified by health center for comparative analysis. In addition, by utilizing the M-survey tool, we analyzed the general characteristics of the respondents, their perceptions of the purpose and accessibility of public health centers, their satisfaction with using public health centers, and the level of demand for public health centers to play a role in promoting community health. Implications: The results of this study suggest that access to public health facilities for residents in the research area was improved. By classifying public health centers into two types, these centers can perform the functions and roles of primary health facilities. A patient request and evacuation system was established in the research area. Finally, a network, such as a social prescribing program, is needed so that public health centers can function as a "setting" for community members to live together.