• Korean Journal of Artificial Intelligence
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.9-13
• /
• 2023

In this study, we explored the potential of integrating interactive AI callbot technology into the medical consultation domain as part of a broader service development initiative. Aimed at enhancing patient satisfaction, the AI callbot was designed to efficiently address queries from hospitals' primary users, especially the elderly and those using phone services. By incorporating an AI-driven callbot into the hospital's customer service center, routine tasks such as appointment modifications and cancellations were efficiently managed by the AI Callbot Agent. On the other hand, tasks requiring more detailed attention or specialization were addressed by Human Agents, ensuring a balanced and collaborative approach. The deep learning model for voice recognition for this study was based on the Transformer model and fine-tuned to fit the medical field using a pre-trained model. Existing recording files were converted into learning data to perform SSL(self-supervised learning) Model was implemented. The ANN (Artificial neural network) neural network model was used to analyze voice signals and interpret them as text, and after actual application, the intent was enriched through reinforcement learning to continuously improve accuracy. In the case of TTS(Text To Speech), the Transformer model was applied to Text Analysis, Acoustic model, and Vocoder, and Google's Natural Language API was applied to recognize intent. As the research progresses, there are challenges to solve, such as interconnection issues between various EMR providers, problems with doctor's time slots, problems with two or more hospital appointments, and problems with patient use. However, there are specialized problems that are easy to make reservations. Implementation of the callbot service in hospitals appears to be applicable immediately.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Information and Communication Engineering
• /
• v.22 no.10
• /
• pp.1347-1354
• /
• 2018

A bedridden patients, elderly people, and dementia who are subject to special care at a medical institution can not handle the feces themselves and need the help of a guardian or care-giver. In particular, toxic substances are contained in the stools, which can cause eczema, dermatitis and urticaria, so it is important to replace diapers. In this paper, we propose a wearable device design for the detection of excretions in consideration of the various excretion requirements of the elderly. The device is a form in which a module are attached to an adult diaper used in a nursing hospital to detect excreta, and the presence or absence of a wearer can be confirmed by an LED. The measured data is transmitted to the smartphone app in real time via Bluetooth in the module and can be checked for popup notification. The validity of this study was verified by comparing the actual excretion with the data collected through the designed module.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.210-228
• /
• 2002

Background: The purpose of this research was to examine the fall incidence rate and its related factors of fall in inpatients. Methods: The data were collected from the 138 fall incident reports in one tertiary hospital in Seoul from April 1st 1999 to September 30th 2001. The Fall Incident Report Form was originally developed based on that of Massachusetts General Hospital revised in 1995. And this was modified for this survey by the collaborating work of QI team including researcher and department of nursing service of this particular hospital. The contents of Fall Incident Form were general characteristics of patient. factors related to fall. types and places of fall. circumstances, nursing interventions. and outcome. Results: 1) The incidence rate of fall was 0.08% of total discharged patients and 0.081 per 1000 patient-day. This incidence rate is much lower than that of several hospitals in USA. This finding might result from the different incidence report system of each hospital. 2) The characteristics of fall-prone patient were found as follows. They were mostly over 60 years old, in alert mental status, ambulatory with some assistance, and dependent on ambulatory device. The types of diseases related high incidence rate were cerebrovascular disease(3.2), hypertension(1.6), cardiovascular disease(1.4), diabetes(1.3) and liver disease(0.6). 3) The majority of fall events usually occurred m bed. bedside(walking or standing) and bathroom in patient room. Usually they were up on their own when they fell. And there were more falls of elderly occurred during night time than day or evening. 4) 63.8% of fall events resulted in physical injuries such as fracture and usually the patients had diagnostic procedures and some treatment(ex. suture) which caused additional cost to the patients and their families. 5) The found risk factors of fall were drugs(antihypertensive drug, diuretics) and environmental factors like too high bed height, long distance of bedside table and lamp switch, and slippery tile of bathroom floor. Conclusion: Considering these results, every medical and nursing staff should be aware of the risk factors of patients in hospital, and should intervene more actively the preventive managements, specially for the elderly patients during night. Therefore, it is recommended that the development of Fall Prevention Programs based on these results.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.7-12
• /
• 2012

Objective: This study aimed to summarize and analyze the usage of and the satisfaction levels with combined treatment including Oriental and Western medicine. Methods: We searched studies on the usage of and the satisfaction levels with combined treatment including Oriental and Western medicine over the past 10 yrs (2001-2011) from 3 Korean databases (National Assembly Library, Research Information Service System, and National Discovery for Science Leaders). The reviewers also conducted a summarizing analysis by sampling the literature according to the type of study, study period, region, study subjects, sample size, type of sampling, research method, data analysis, study instruments, main results, etc. Results: When the main results of six studies on combined treatment usage and satisfaction levels were considered together, the most important decisive factor in determining the usage of combined treatment was the illness of the patient, followed by the patient's occupation, sex, age, education, marital status, religion, treatment cost, and treatment results. In addition, the most important factor that determined satisfaction levels with combined treatment was age, followed by education, religion, income, health status, treatment procedures, staff attitude, and cleanliness. Conclusions: Elderly patients with musculoskeletal, cerebro-vascular, and circulatory system illnesses are more likely to prefer combined treatment over independent Oriental or Western treatment and are more likely to request specialized, adjusted medical care.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
• /
• v.23 no.4
• /
• pp.11-36
• /
• 2012

Objectives : Sleep Disorders are very common in clinical stages and there are many reports and papers regarding this subject. I try to understand the present state of sleep research in JON (The Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry) for the benefits of clinical practice. Methods : We searched and read every article on JON from 1990 to 2012 and selected ones that are related to Sleep Disorder; then analyzed the data to 5 categories, like literature study, case study, Clinical Data-Analysis study, experimental study, and clinical trial. Results : 1. We Found 41 articles relating to sleep disorder in JON form 1999 to 2012, and there were 9 literature studies, 13 case studies, 13 Clinical Data-Analysis studies, 4 experimental studies, and 2 clinical trials. 2. There were Sa-Am Acupuncture Method, Pharmacopuncture, electroacupuncture, and Auricular acupuncture to treat Sleep Disorder. 3. There were many additional treatments like Purgative Therapy, etc. 4. They reported the ordinary sleep pattern of Soeumin and Soyangin, too. 5. In the experimental study, they reported several herbs, herbal prescription on the expression of melatonin receptors, and Punsimgeimgamibang on insomnia, anxiety, emotionality in rats. 6. There were 2 clinical trials, one for Hwabyung-patient with insomnia by acupuncture treatment and another for insomnia in the elderly by ETF-I program. 7. There were 2 case of other sleep disorder (enuresis, sleepwalking) and 2 literature study of dream. Conclusions : In JON regarding sleep disorder, the majority was due to insomnia. Therefore, we also have to expand our sight into other sleep diseases. We need more clinical trials and experimental researches for the construction of EBM Sleep Disorder in Oriental Neuropsychiatry.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.41 no.1
• /
• pp.18-25
• /
• 2011

Purpose: This study was done to examine the effect of an integrated care service which included a combination of oriental and western care on health outcomes in elderly patients with degenerative arthritis. Methods: A prospective comparative design was used. Data were collected from May 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009 from 85 elderly patients with degenerative arthritis in the lower extremities who were followed in a hospital out-patient department for 8 weeks. The integrated care service group (n=36) received a combination of physical therapy, acupuncture, western medicines or herbal medicines, and the western care group (n=49) received physical therapy or western medicines. Functional independence, walking speed, rotation balance, pain intensity, service satisfaction and total medical costs for the two groups were compared at 8 weeks. Results: Functional independence (t=2.14, p=.036) and walking speed (t=2.51, p=.014) improved significantly in the integrated care group while pain intensity improved significantly in the western care group (t=3.35, p=.002). The integrated care group reported higher scores for service satisfaction (t=2.09, p=.041) and higher medical costs than the western care group (t=2.15, p=.035). Conclusion: The results suggest that integrated care services are effective modalities to improve mobility and quality of life for elders with degenerative arthritis.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.37-48
• /
• 2010

Objective : The purpose of this research was to provide basic data for developing the collaborating care of Korean traditional medicine and western medicines by analyzing the perceptions of residents visiting local health centers on the collaborating care. Method : To this end, a self-administrated questionnaire was surveyed to 417 participants from March 10 to March 19, 2005. The questionnaires were regarding medical preferences, effectiveness, co-operative treatment types, and the demographic characteristics of the study population. The main statistical methods employed for analysis were frequency chi-square test analysis, using SPSS system 12.0 software for Windows. Result : First, the perceptions of collaborating care, such as preference and effectiveness, were better for residents who had experienced Korean traditional medicine(p < 0.05). Second, the most favorable collaborating care type was the neuromuscular disease and rehabilitation, and in particular, the preference of the patient who had experienced Korean traditional medicine was much higher than those who had not experienced it(p < 0.05). Third, as for recognizing the future of collaborating care, respondents insisted that collaboration care has to be conducted under evidence-based research. The reasons why collaborating care has not been active were reported as "difference in solving disease problems between oriental medicine and western medicine." The most important role of the Korean traditional medicines in the public sector was to provide specialized service for the elderly and low income households. Conclusion : Most respondents expected the positive effects of the collaborating care and wanted it to develop, particularly for neuromuscular diseases. As for the health promotion program in health centers, it was more popular than the home visiting program for the elderly and preventive rehabilitation for stroke. Now we must plan to balance between the need of the community and the medical provider on collaborating care.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
• /
• v.20 no.2
• /
• pp.43-48
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the importance of grade decision and role of physical therapist which follows enforcement of elderly long-term residential care insurance system. Methods: One of the data from grade decision meeting in Bukgu, Busan on 2007 which was 88 case of attached finding of doctor was compared with findings of visited investigator. Result: Eighty-four investigation subjects had 186 diseases that included stroke and arthritis, requiring the need for physical therapeutic approaches. In addition, the results of the door-to-door research project in the northern district of Busan showed that there was no match out of 88 subjects who submitted the viewpoint of the doctor. Such a result was produced as the doctors did not diagnose the patient directly, but rather the diagnoses were obtained from guardians and a door-to-door researcher who had a poor understanding of geriatric motion and function. Conclusion: To enforce long-term care successfully, a re-investigation should be performed for the welfare of the aged.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.55 no.4
• /
• pp.195-199
• /
• 2014

Objective : Age is a strong predictor of mortality in traumatic brain injuries. A surgical decision making is difficult especially for the elderly patients with severe head injuries. We studied so-called 'withholding a life-saving surgery' over a two year period at a university hospital. Methods : We collected data from 227 elderly patients. In 35 patients with Glasgow Coma Score 3--8, 28 patients had lesions that required operation. A life-saving surgery was withheld in 15 patients either by doctors and/or the families (Group A). Surgery was performed in 13 patients (Group B). We retrospectively examined the medical records and radiological findings of these 28 patients. We calculated the predicted probability of 6 month mortality (IPM) and 6 month unfavorable outcome (IPU) to compare the result of decision by the International Mission for Prognosis and Analysis of Clinical Trials in TBI (IMPACT) calculator. Results : Types of the mass lesion did not affect on the surgical decision making. None of the motor score 1 underwent surgery, while all patients with reactive pupils underwent surgery. Causes of injury or episodes of hypoxia/hypotension might have affected on the decision making, however, their role was not distinct. All patients in the group A died. In the group B, the outcome was unfavorable in 11 of 13 patients. Patients with high IPM or IPU were more common in group A than group B. Wrong decisions brought futile cares. Conclusion : Ethical training and developing decision-making skills are necessary including shared decision making.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
• /
• v.15 no.7
• /
• pp.1021-1030
• /
• 2021

This study analyzed the status of tuberculosis patients in Korea by collecting data from the Statistics Korea and the KDCA's GLOBAL Tuberculosis Report from 2010 to 2018 to find ways to manage tuberculosis patients in Korea and provide basic data on tuberculosis policies. The results are as follows. First, the results of tuberculosis patients in Korea decreased by about 21.3% to 33,796 (65.9%) in 2018 and 26,433 (51.5%) in 2018. Second, the status of tuberculosis patient treatment in Korea was found to be 655 in 2018, an increase of about 160% compared to 2014. Third, the incidence of tuberculosis among adolescents was 1.8% in 2018 for those aged 10 to 14 and 15.0% for those aged 15 to 19, the highest rate of tuberculosis among high school students, Fourth, looking at the incidence of tuberculosis patients by age, subjects in their 60s or older showed a prevalence of tuberculosis by 60% or more, especially elderly tuberculosis patients over 80 years of age. Fifth, the status of the incidence of tuberculosis patients by gender was found to be 1.4 times higher in men than in women in 2018 compared to 2010. Sixth, 1,419 people (75.6%) in Jeollanam-do had the highest prevalence of tuberculosis nationwide, and 99 people (33.4%) in Sejong had the lowest prevalence. Seventh, the number of foreign patients in Korea continued to increase to 1,510 in 2012, increasing to 2,569 in 2016. The results this study indicate the need for rapid and accurate early tuberculosis screening policies and management for tuberculosis relapse patients, high school student, age groups over 60, a group of men such as the military, the elderly over 80, and foreigners.