• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 2006

The Strain Index(SI) has been commonly used to evaluate the musculoskeletal disorders(MSDs) of upper extremities. Recently, the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) adopted the Threshold Limit Value for hand activity level (HAL TLV) focused on the hand, wrist, and forearm. The MSDs risks of 37 repetitive works conducted at an automobile climate control system manufacturing factory were evaluated using both the HAL TLV and the SI, and the results by two methods were compared. Also, measured repetitive frequencies of upper limbs joint were mesured using electromyogram and electrogoniometer. The evaluation results of the HAL were related with the repetitive frequency data of upper limbs joint by electrogoniometer, and the NPF was related with %MVC of ECU. The evaluation result of HAL TLV was highly related with the SI score(r=0.66, p<0.01). Of total 37 tasks, 25 tasks(67.6%) were exceeded the TLV and 34 tasks(91.9%) exceeded the SI limit. Although there was a high relationship between the HAL TLV and SI score, the HAL TLV underestimated the risk in comparison with the SI. The correlation coefficients(r) between the HAL TLV data and the repetitive frequency of upper limbs joint were 0.45~0.55(p<0.01). The MSD symptoms was significantly different between high risk groups and low risk groups evaluated by HAL TLV(p<0.01), but was not different between two groups by SI. In conclusion, the HAL TLV is a proper tool for repetitive works.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.236-250
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of intensive rehabilitation programs on pain, range of motion (ROM), lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, disability, and depression in patients with traumatic low back injuries and to compare the efficacy of this therapy with that of conventional rehabilitation therapy. Methods: The study was performed with a retrospective medical chart review of patients with traumatic low back injury referred to the rehabilitation center at the Daegu Hospital of the Korean Workers Compensation and Welfare Service. Forty-four patients were allocated to either the conventional rehabilitation group (CRG; n = 22) or the intensive rehabilitation group (IRG; n = 22). The CRG group patients, who received 30-min therapist-supervised physical therapy and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks, were compared with the IRG group patients, who received 60-min therapist-supervised physical therapy, 30-min therapist-patient 1:1 matching rehabilitation therapy, and modality therapy five times per week for four weeks. Outcome measures were a numerical rating scale, ROM, lumbar muscle strength, lumbar core muscle endurance, thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscle (transverse abdominis and lumbar multifidus), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and depression (Korean version patient health questionnaire-9). Results: There were statistically significant improvements after treatment in all outcome measures in both groups (p < 0.05). In the intergroup comparison, NRS scores on the activity and thickness of lumbar deep focal core muscles increased significantly more in the IRG than in the CRG (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant intergroup differences in NRS scores on resting, ROM except left lateral bending, lumbar muscle strength, core muscle endurance, ODI, and depression. Conclusions: We could confirm the superior effectiveness of an intensive rehabilitation program compared to conventional rehabilitation therapy in patients with traumatic low back injuries.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.141-158
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• 1994

To provide better health care services to the rural population, the government has made the Community Health Practitioner(CHP) a regular government official from April 1, 1992. This study was carried out to study the impact of officialization of CHP on the activities and management system of Primary Health Post(PHP). Fifty PHPs were selected by two stage sampling, cluster and simple random, from 595 PHPs in Kyungnam and Kyungpook provinces. Data were collected by a personal interview with CHPs and review of records and reports kept in the PHPs. The study was done for the periods of January 1-March 31, 1992 (before officialization) and January 1-March 31, 1993 (after officialization). Ninety-six percent of the CHPs wanted to become a regular government official in the hope of better job security and higher salary. The proportion of CHPs who were proud of their iob was increased from 24% to 46% after officialization. Those CHPs who felt insecure for their job decreased from 30% to 10%. Monthly salary was increased by 34% from 802,600 Won to 1,076,000 Won and 90% of the CHPs were satisfied with their salary, also more CHPs responded that they have autonomy in their work planning, implementation of plan, management of the post, and evaluation of their activity. There were no appreciable changes in such CHPs' activities as assessment of local health resources, drawing map for the catchment area, utilization of community organization, grasping the current population structure in the catchment area, keeping the family health records, individual and group health education, and school health service. However, the number of home visits was increased from 13.6 times on the average per month per CHP to 27.5 times. More mothers and children were referred to other medical facilities for the immunization and family planning services. Average number of patients of hypertension, cancer, and diabetes in three months period was decreased from 12.7 to 11.6, from 1.5 to 1.2, and 4.3 to 3.4, respectively. Records for the patient care, drug management, and equipment were well kept but not for other records. The level of record keeping was not changed after officialization. The proportion of PHPs which had support from the health center was increased for drug supply from 14.0% to 30.0%, for consumable commodities from 22.0% to 52.0%, for maintenance of PHP from 54.0% to 68.0%, for supply of health education materials from 34.0% to 44.0%, and supply of equipment from 54.0% to 58.0%. Total monthly revenue of a PHP was increased by about 50,000 Won; increased by 22,000 Won in patient care and 34,700 Won in the government subsidy but decreased in the membership due and donation. However, there was no remarkable changes in the expenditure. The proportion of PHPs which had received official notes from the health center for the purpose of guidance and supervision of the CHPs was increased from 20% to 38% during three months period and the average number of telephone call for supervision from the health center per PHP was increased from 1.8 to 2.1 times(p<0.01). However, the proportion of PHPs that had supervisory visit and conference was reduced from 79% to 62%, and from 88% to 74%, respectively. The proportion of CHPs who maintained a cooperative relationship with Myun Health Workers was reduced from 42% to 36%, that with the director of health center from 46% to 24%, that with the chief of public health administration section from 56% to 36%, and that with the chairman of PHP management council from 62% to 38%. Most of the CHPs (92% before and 82% after officialization) stated that the PHP management council is not helpful for the PHP. CHPs who considered the PHP management council unnecessary increased from 4% to 16%(p<0.05). Suggestions made by the CHPs for the improvement of CHP program included emphasis on health education, assurance of autonomy for PHP management, increase of the kind of drugs that can be dispensed by CHPs, and appointment of an experienced CHP in the health center as the supervisor of CHPs. The results of this study revealed that the role and function of CHPs as reflected in their activities have not been changed after officialization. However, satisfaction in job security and salary was improved as well as the autonomy. Support of health center to the PHP was improved but more official notes were sent to the PHPs which required the CHPs more paper works. Number of telephone calls for supervision was increased but there was little administrative and technical guidance for the CHP activities.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.204-215
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• 2008

Many researches for service-life of chemical cartridges of respirators have been performed in many countries. On the result of these researches a few softwares programs were eventually developed to be used. In spite of that, it is difficult to apply these researches and softwares practically in the work spot because of too many factors that influence on service-life of chemical cartridges. This study was the first of two conducted for the purpose of developing program for estimating exchange period or service-life of chemical cartridges available feasibly in the workplaces. Collecting plan of cartridges discarded after use is in principle that three cartridges from three workers at a time, three steps of 1/2 exchange time due to smelling, just routine exchange time and 1.2 to 1.3 expanded time of routine exchange, total nine cartridges are collected in the same job site. 33 cartridges for organic vapor were collected in paint spray process of ship yard and paint factory, and 6 cartridges for acid were collected in plating process. These cartridges were analysed the remaining breakthrough time in 3M Innovation Center. Challenge vapor and breakthrough concentration were complied with Korean regulation for chemical cartridge respirators. Estimated breakthrough time was determined from previously used time plus breakthrough time for the remaining. Exchange period of cartridge would be the shortest time among three estimated breakthrough times. On the result breakthrough time for organic vapor was found to be relatively easily estimated, but that for acid aerosol or vapor was difficult to be confident. Even though this method was difficult to be precisely predicted exchange period of cartridge, it could be an alternative program practically available in the job site.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2257-2261
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• 2015

Background: Return to work after treatment completion is important for both cancer survivors and society. Financial distress is one of the factors that may influence the return to work in cancer survivors. However, this relationship has not been well investigated. This study aimed to determine the rate of return to work and its relation to financial distress among Iranian cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-correlational study was undertaken among 165 cancer survivors who completed their initial treatments and had no signs of active cancer. The Return to Work questionnaire and Financial Distress/Financial Well-Being Scale were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software. Results: After initial treatments, 120 cancer survivors (72%) had returned to work, of which 50 patients (42%) had returned to full-time work and 70 (58%) reduced their work hours and returned to part-time work. Cancer survivors also reported high levels of financial distress. In addition, the financial distress was lower among patients who had returned completely to work, in comparison to patients who had quit working for cancer-related reasons (p= 0.001) or returned to work as part-time workers (p=0.001). Conclusions: The findings showed that a high percent of Iranian cancer survivors had not returned to their jobs or considerably reduced working hours after treatment completion. Accordingly, due to high levels of financial distress experienced by participants and its relation to return to work, designing rehabilitation programs to facilitate cancer survivor return to work should be considered.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.24 no.4 s.82
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• pp.127-139
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• 2006

The purpose of this research was to find out relation between the attitudes toward work and leisure in later life and intention to move to senior community available to work among 50's in Seoul, Incheon, and Kyunggido. The same research questions would be revealed as the previous one done by Cho & Cho(2006). The data were the part of the survey collected from 556 respondents with questionnaire during November, 2002 by the Hong's research team(2004). The results of this study showed that most respondents were somewhat actively preparing toward work in later life and the level of preparation differed by the individual characteristics such as age, health and occupation. They preferred various work items specially managing facility center, raising animals and plants, and managing educating center, which were different from what current elderly workers were mainly involved in. Similarly to the work, most respondents cared for the kind of leisure activities to continue and saved money for the leisure expenses in later life. The better the economic conditions, the more actively prepared for leisure in later life. They were strongly expected to participate in public leisure facilities and programs for the elderly as a user, volunteer, and/or activist. Over two thirds of the respondents preferred to work and live together in later life and over two out of five had intention to move to the senior community available to work. The more active in work and/or leisure in later life, the higher intention to work together and/or to move to the community. Those results generally supported the previous research showed that the needs of work and leisure in later life would be increased and varied, therefor housing for the elderly should considered work space and program as well as leisure. The further study was suggested to focus on the potential and current residents in the sample case of the comprehensive welfare town for the elderly by local administration.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.24 no.3 s.35
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• pp.305-313
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• 1991

In order to investigate industrial fatigue due to visual display terminal (VDT) work of banking operations the questionnaire survey for subjective symptoms of fatigue was carried out on 470 bank clerks who had been engaged in VDT work for various length of work hours. The questionnaires comprised three groups of 10 items each, representing dullness and sleepiness (level of cerebral activation), difficulty in concentration (level of motivation) and bodily projection of fatigue. The results were as follows : 1. Of the 30 items of questionnaires, the highest percentage was accounted for by 'eye strain' (51.5% ), followed by 'feel stiffness in the neck or the shoulders'(33.4%), 'feel a pain in the low back'(26.8%), 'whole body feels tired'(19.6%) and 'feel headache'(17.9%) in the order of sequence. 2. The average weighted score for the first group of questionnaire items (dullness and sleepiness) was the largest among three groups and was followed by 'the third cup (bodily projection of fatigue) and the second item group (difficulty in concentration) in the order of sequence, suggesting the heavier mental stress of VDT work in banking operations rather than physical burden. 3. In terms of the age and sex of workers, work duration and VDT work percentage, the difference in average weighted score was noted only between sex, the score of female being larger than that of male. 4. The complaint rates of subjective symptoms showed close associations with the subjective optimums of room temperature, ventilation, illumination and noise level. 5. The significant correlation was showed between age, work duration and item of 'whole body feels tired', between VDT work percentage and items of 'eye strain' and 'feel stiffness in the neck or shoulders' and between all items of subjective symptoms.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.89-105
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• 2013

Objectives : The aim of this study is to analyze the domestic research trend focusing on well-being studies in medicine. Through this study, the researchers attempt to explore the research trends of the well-being in Traditional Korean Medicine. Methods : Well-being as a key word was searched on representative domestic databases of articles and the researchers collected the articles of medical journals published from 1980 to 2012. Finally 416 articles of well-being were selected. Results : Among the fields of medicine, well-being studies have been mainly proceeded by nursing science, preventive medicine and psychiatry. Well-being studies that mainly analyzed the variables associated wih quality of life and well-being to cancer patients, workers and elderly. But every measuring instrument searched with well-being was adapted from western tools. And there has not been any study used measuring instrument of well-being and interventions related to Traditional Korean Medicine. Conclusions : In order to handle the new wave of well-being and quality of life, research methods using tools to measure these variables need to be developed. Furthermore, it seems to be necessary that research on how to take advantage of Yangseng that is health concept of Traditional Korean Medicine.

• Nuclear Engineering and Technology
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.717-724
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• 2023

An essential step in evaluating and comparing the performance of two passive radiation dosimeter types, thermosluminescent (TLD) and optically stimulated luminescence (OSL), used by workers in environments with ionizing radiation for individual radiological monitoring and control of external exposure at various times (cumulative dose for 1 month), is to compare the measured dose accuracy, energy response, and coefficient of variation. In fact this performance study consists in determining the accuracy of both R(10) and R(0.07) which are considered as the ratios of the measured dose (Hp(10) or Hp(0.07)) to the delivered dose (Hp(10) or Hp(0.07)) for each photon energy. The validity of the results of this test is based on the acceptance limits of the ICRP and the international standard IEC-62387. The relative energy response used is normalized to the ¹³⁷Cs 662 keV energy to find which energy response is closest to the ideal case, and the coefficient of variation that allows to determine the statistical fluctuation of the Hp(10) and Hp(0.07) doses. The results of the accuracy test for the OSL and TLD dosimeters are acceptable because they fall within the ICRP limits. For the energy response, the OSL performs better than the TLD for Hp(10) and Hp(0.07), and for the coefficient of variation, the OSL satisfies the requirements of ISO 62387 for both Hp(10) and Hp(0.07), while the TLD satisfies these requirements only for the measurement of Hp (0.07).

• Information Systems Review
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.57-70
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• 2017

Researchers and industry managers highlight the emergence of mobile healthcare market given the rapid development of IT and the expansion of average life expectancy. Medical institutions, such as university hospitals, are aiming to achieve convenience and effectiveness of treatment by providing patient education through a mobile device. This study examines a case related to the development and usage of a mobile application based on Lean Canvas, namely, the Smart Explanation Service released by Samsung Medical Center. This application comprehensively analyzes the usage status of mobile application-based patient education and its application in clinical settings. This study also examines the level of satisfaction of patients and medical workers toward this application. The result of this study is expected to provide meaningful implication to medical institutions and related industries and enable them to create and offer prepare mobile healthcare services.