• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.11 no.8
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• pp.251-263
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• 2013

To explore the device to allow the marriage immigrants' family to take jobs in our country, the social and economic environments that they face are investigated and analyzed through literature survey and field inquiry. The principal motive of the marriage to Korean is economic problem. But their actual economic conditions are inferior, and other legal problems, such as getting jobs and remitting money to their home country, drive them to unstable status. The present hiring policy is applied only to foreign workers with no domestic relations(E-9), hence the marriage immigrants are excluded from the domestic employment. To make institutional devices for giving them the employment opportunity, the modification of the existing laws are proposed. For examples, the 'Act on employment of foreign workers' can be revised to permit immigrant's relatives to get jobs, and 'Immigration control law' can be amended to guarantee legal qualification for taking jobs. It is desirable that the overall control be made by the Prime Minister's Office, and operation as well as surveillance be performed by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family (MGEF) and the Ministry of Employment and Labor (MEL).

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.1-18
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• 2013

Objectives: Korea has a dual medical system where traditional Korean Medicine (KM) and Western Medicine (WM) exist au equal terms with exclusive practice boundaries. The aim of this study was to identify complementary and substitute relationships between KM and WM in Korea. Methods: The data of 19,413 respondents were collected from the 2009 Korea Health Panel dataset. General characteristics and the medical utilization of respondents were analyzed descriptively. the Univariable Analysis was used to compare the factors that affected KM and WM utilization, and the Multivariable Analysis was applied to identify complementary or substitute relationships between the respondents' choices for KM and WM. The data were analyzed by the seven disease groups; diseases of nervous system, circulatory system, respiratory system, digestive system, skin and subcutaneous tissue, musculoskeletal system, and connective tissue, injury, poisoning and others. Results: 13.6% and 76.9% of respondents used KM and WM respectively last 12 mouths. 12.7% used both, and 0.9% used KM only. In overall, respondents who visited KM institutions used also WM. However, according to the analysis of choices of medical institutions, non-pharmacological KM treatment and WM has been used as a substitute for another in the diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissue, diseases of the musculoskeletal system, and connective tissue, injury, poisoning and others. Conclusions: Despite some exceptional disease areas, Korean people use KM complementarily to WM, and this result can rationalize the recent Korean government policies encouraging the cooperation of KM and WM. This study can he used for the future policies development for KM service delivery.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.321-349
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• 1998

Since 1990 the effort for unification has been active in each department of our society. But the study for health policy in Unified Korea has been scarce. Unified Korea should be a democracy and a constitutional state. So we should have lively discussion on the health law as well as unified general laws. The purpose of this study is to compare the health law of South Korea and North Korea and to understand the differences in them. We guess both Korea are considerably different each other. But this study found out that there are many health related laws that have same goals and contents. The reason for this is that both health laws have its root in Korea Law. And the right to health is the social basic right. whose characteristic can not be compatible with market economy and demands state intervention for securing the right to health. The health related laws are divided into 4 fileds. 1. There is a field A which is affected by unified political and economic system and differs little from the law system: the license system of medical personnel. 2. There is a field B which is seldom affected by unified political and economic system and differs little from the law system: the right and duty of medical personnel. quarantine law. 3. There is a field C which is affected by unified political and economic system and differs greatly from the law system: health institution law(exclusive of quarantine law), the laws of medical personnel category, of research center(especially per-mission, registration and establishment). of the role of basic health in private and public area. 4. There is a field D which is seldom affected by unified political and economic system and differs greatly from the law system: health equipment law(the laws of drugs, of cosmetics and of medical instrument. of blood management). the laws of health knowledge. of cooperation in chinese medicine and western medicine. the health promotion law. the rules of first-aid. the law of separation of dispensary from medical practice. The laws which are seldom affected by political and economic system can be consolidated. which in turn can be revised and enacted before unification of Korea through the interchange between North Korea and South Korea and the support to North Korea health system.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.375-385
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• 2015

This study aims to identify geographical variations and factors that affect smoking rates. The data are collected from the Community Health Survey conducted between 2009 and 2011 by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government organizations. Correlation and multiple regression analysis were used to examine the factors influencing smoking rates. For the purpose of investigating regional variations, we employed a decision tree model. The study has found that the significant factors associated with geographical variations in the smoking rates were the rate of hazardous drinking, the completion rate of hypertension education, the experience rate of anti-smoking campaigns, stress awareness rate, hypertension prevalence, health insurance cost, diabetes prevalence, obesity rate, and strength training rate. Convergence-based analysis on geographical variations of the smoking rates is highly important when the regionally customized healthcare programs is implemented. In the future, it is necessary to develop effective program and customized approach for the regions of high smoking rates. Our study is expected to be used as meaningful data for the design of effective health care programs and assessments to lead effective non-smoking program.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.279-291
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• 2018

This study is designed to demonstrate risk factors of unmet medical care for people with cerebrovascular disease. To do this, statistical analysis was performed by using hierarchical logistic regression analysis with SPSS/WIN24.0 program using Korean Medical Panel data in 2014. In the final model of the hierarchical logistic regression analysis, which is based on Anderson's Model, adjusted for the factors of the predisposing and enabling factors, the explanatory variables affecting the unmet medical development are gender, economic activity, income level, the experience of lying in a sickbed, restriction on activity, subjective health condition, and the number of chronic diseases. Based on the results of this study, the practical and policy implications for the effective management and treatment of cerebrovascular disease should be included in the countermeasures for cerebrovascular disease, a strategy to reduce the unmet medical incidence of cerebrovascular disease, in order to meet the medical needs, the necessity of comprehensive measures considering various dimensions of variables and the influential variables of unmet medical emergence have been suggested for the necessity of making a detailed service manual that can improve accessibility to medical services.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.100-124
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• 1997

In order to suggest the strategies for participation in the PPS(Prospective Payment System), analyses were performed based on variations in utilization pattern and changes in revenues of hospitals in 10 selected KDRGs. The data was collected from the claims data of a tertiary hospital in Kyunggido from September 1, 1995 to August 31, 1996. The studies consisted of 1, 718 inpatients diagnosed for lens procedures, tonsilectomy &/or adenoidectomy, appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis, Cesarean section, or vaginal delivery without any complications. The resources used in each KDRG were measured including average length of stay, total charges, number of orders, intensity of medical services, frequencies of medical services, the rate of non-reimbursable charges, and the rate of non-reimbursable orders. Then, the changes in hopital revenues due to the composition of medical fee schedules under the PPS were estimated as follows: 1) The variations in average lenght of stay, total charges, number of orders, the intensity of medical services, the frequency of medical services, the rate of non-reimbursable charges, and the rate of non-reimbursable orders among the 10 KDRGs were comparatively small. 2) The average lenght of stay was the longest(6.0 days) for appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis, while it was the shortest(2.1 days) for two vaginal deliveries. Statistically differences existed in the average length of stay among physicians and among the dates of admission in several KDRGs. 3) The total charges were the highest for lens procedures(1, 716, 000 won), while the lowest charges were for two vaginal deliveries(558, 000 won). Statistically differences in the total charges were found among physicians in several KDRGs: however, there were no differences with the dates of admission. 4) The number of orders was the greatest(155) for appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis, while it was the smallest(75) for the two vaginal deliveries. Statistical differences in the number of orders did not exist among physicians in the KDRGs. 5) Significant differences were found in the intensity of medical services, and in the frequency of medical services among physicians in the KDRGs. 6) The rate of non-reimbursable charges for each KDRG was not related to the rate of non-reimbursable orders. The rate of non-reimbursable orders was the highest(36.0%) for lens procedures, while the lowest rate(11.6%) was for appendectomy with complicated principal diagnosis. The rate of non-reimbursable charges was the highest(39.4-39.7%) for vaginal deliveries, while the lowest rate(13.1%) was for tonsillectomy &/or adenoidectomy(<17 ages). 7) If the physician's practicing style were not change under the PPS, the hospital revenuses could be increased by 10%, and the portion of patient payment could be decreased by 1.4-22.4%. However, the non-reimbursable charges for showed little change between two reimbursement systems. Based upon the above findings, this hospital could be eligible for participation in the PPS(Prospective Payment Systm). However, the process of diagnosis and treatment should be standardized, inentifying methods to reduce cost and to assure quality of medical care. Furthermore, consideration should be given to finding ways to increase patient volume.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.103-119
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• 2000

This study is conducted to promote the activation of volunteer activities on the basic of the voluntaarry participation of local by investigating the utillzation of volunteers and analyzing this realted factors in the visiting health services of health centers. Subjects in this study were the whole 245 health centers. Data were collected from April, 12, 1999 to May, 31, 1999, and data for analyses were ones of 41 respondents, which answer " they utilize volunteers in visting health services". The summary of resulth was as follows : 1. In case that the type of health centers is one of county, in case that the number of staff in health center is over 80, in case that model business in not performed, in case that the degree of local financial independence is over 50%, and in case that the location of health centers in not good, there had more of volunteers in visiting health services. 2. 51.2% of analysing health centers answered that the utilization of volunteers has been done since 1998. 56.1% answered that they utillzed volunteers "over 4 hours" per person in a week. The average number of volunteers who was engaged at those visiting health services was 43.3. 3. Most of volinteers were housewives(73.2%). As for the action duration of volunteers. 68.8% answered " under 6 months". 4. As to the tasks of volunter activities, 75.6% were "home services" and 63.4% were "movable bath services". As for the tasks they intend to utilize, 90.2% answered " home services", 73.2% answered "movable health services". 5. Asked abount the purpose in utilizing volunteers, 75.6% answered "to induce the participation og local people". 65.9% answered "to provide various kinds of services". 66.7% provided some kind of education and training for volunteers. 6. Concerming evaluation of performance by volunteers, 90.2% answered " satisfactory". With reagards to the reason for that, 52.9% answered " volunteers can provide kinds of services". and 50.0% answered " volunteers can help local people to care their health". As for the obstacles to the utilization, 51.2% answered " the diffculty of recruitment for volunteers" and 43.9% answered "lack of budget and manpower needed for the utilization of volunteers".lty of recruitment for volunteers" and 43.9% answered "lack of budget and manpower needed for the utilization of volunteers".lunteers&".ot;.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.152-161
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• 2013

Korea has a single National Health Insurance program and all citizens are covered under this program, accounting 97% of the population, approximately 50 million people. Claims submitted by Health care providers are reviewed by Health Insurance Review and Assessment (HIRA) for the reimbursement. HIRA database contains not only individual beneficiary's information, but also healthcare service information such as diagnosis, procedures, prescriptions and tests for them. HRA database has gained attention as importance source for research due to its rich healthcare information and the demand of HIRA database has increased. Due to its tremendous size, however, researchers have had problems in accessing the database to conduct research. To meet this demand, we conducted a study to develop the inpatient sample data from HIRA database for research. This study has two purposes: 1) to determine a needed sample size; 2) to test reliability and validity of the sample data. We determined an adequate sample size to ensure representativeness and generality with additional consideration for convenience of calculation. The minimum sample size was 729,904 for the generality, and 488,861 for representativeness. After considering the convenience of calculation, our final sample size was 13% of the population, which was about 7.7 million beneficiaries. Age (5 years interval) and gender were used as stratification variables for sampling. In order to examine whether this sample data appropriately reflect population, we tested the reliability and validity of the sample data. From the sample data, we computed average expenditure of total claims per inpatient for 2011, frequency of top 30 disease, estimation of the number of stroke patients from the sample data, and then compared them to those from the population. Results confirmed reliability and validity of the sample data.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.67-82
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to analyze how the different lifestyles between Koreans and Korean Americans have significant effects on their health. Despite being the same race, Koreans and Korean Americans have different health conditions and health attitudes due to the acquired environmental factors such as social-economic factors, lifestyle risk factors, healthcare systems, and medical utilization. It is crucial to examine how the different lifestyle habits between Koreans and Korean Americans lead to various health conditions for establishing an effective health promotion policy. Methods: In this study, a comparative analysis was conducted using the National Health and Nutrition Survey of Korea and CHIS data of the United States in 2005 and 2015 to provide valuable insights when establishing such a policy. Results: The specific research purpose is as follows: First, socioeconomic factors, such as (1)living habits risk factors, (2)health satisfaction levels, (3)disease outbreaks, and (4)medical uses, are analyzed to find the distinct characteristics among Koreans, Korean Americans, and Americans. Second, the three groups --Koreans, Korean Americans, and Americans-- were compared based on their exposure to disease-related lifestyle risk factors related to their body mass index and their general health condition. The research results are as follows: First, all three groups improved health conditions in 2015 better than in 2005. Koreans maintained relatively higher general health conditions compared to other groups: their prevalence rate of chronic diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, and asthma was lower than that of U.S. residents. Second, in regards to health behavior factors, the lifetime smoking experience for Koreans and Americans both decreased in 2015 compared to 2005, while the lifetime smoking experience for Korean Americans increased slightly. The number of smokers for Koreans has greatly decreased over a decade while that of Americans has moderately increased. Third, according to the results of the multiple regression, the general health conditions, which is a dependent variable, suggests that the number of men who answered they are healthy is greater than that of women in Korea, compared to the United States. Conclusions: In conclusion, the acquired environmental factors had more significant impacts on health than the racial factors did. Compared to 2005, the health behaviors and health levels of Korean Americans in 2015 gradually became more similar to those of Americans.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.61 no.4
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• pp.478-484
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• 2018

Objective : Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) was the third most common cause of death in South Korea in 2014. Evidence from abroad suggests that comprehensive stroke centers play an important role in improving the mortality rate of stroke. However, surgical treatment for CVD is currently slightly neglected by national policy, and there is still regional imbalance in this regard. For this reason, we conducted a survey on the necessity of, and the requirements for, establishing regional comprehensive cerebrovascular surgery centers (CCVSCs). Methods : This investigation was performed using the questionnaire survey method. The questionnaire was consisted with two sections. The first concerned the respondent's opinion regarding the current status of demand and the regional imbalance of cerebrovascular surgery in South Korea. The second section asked about the requirements for establishing regional CCVSCs. We sent the questionnaire to 100 board members of the Korean Society of Cerebrovascular Surgeons. Results : Most experts agreed that cerebrovascular surgery patients were concentrated in large hospitals in the capital area, and 83.6% of respondents agreed that it was necessary to alleviate the regional imbalance of cerebrovascular surgery. With regards to personnel, over 90% of respondents answered that at least two neuro-vascular surgeons and two neuro-interventionists are necessary to establish a CCVSC. Regarding facilities, almost all respondents stated that each CCVSC would require a neuro-intensive care unit and hybrid operating room. The survey asked the respondents about 13 specific neurovascular surgical procedures and whether they were necessary for a regional CCVSC. In the questions about the necessity of cerebrovascular surgical equipment, all seven pieces of equipment were considered essential by all respondents. A further five pieces of equipment were considered necessary on site: computed tomographic angiography, magnetic resonance angiography, conventional angiography, surgical microscope, and surgical navigation. Our results may provide a basis for future policy regarding treatment of cerebrovascular disease, including surgery. Conclusion : Raising the comprehensiveness of treatment at a regional level would lower the national disease burden. Policies should be drafted regarding comprehensive treatment including surgery for cerebrovascular disease, and related support plans should be implemented.