• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.143-164
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• 2010

Although word-of-mouth (WOM) has been regarded as one of the very important topics in consumer research, its effects on other aspects of consumer behavior have been scarcely investigated in the context of health-care service industry. The WOM literature also suggests that it is essential for medical care service organizations in fierce competition to adopt WOM communication as a competitive weapon so as to be able to stay ahead of competition. The goal of this research was set to empirically study various relationships between antecedent variables, WOM acceptance, and purchase of medical care services. Specifically, drawing on the WOM literature, eight antecedents to WOM acceptance were selected first. Based on the relevant literature, seven sets of hypotheses on the relationships among antecedents to WOM, WOM acceptance, purchase intention and purchase of medical services were developed. Data were collected via an on-line survey. A total of 571 out of 600 responses turned out to be usable. The major findings of this study can be summarized as follows: First, 6 out of 8 antecedent variables to WOM acceptance were found to be positively affect WOM acceptance. However, the effects of (1) "newness of technology" pertaining to medical care service characteristics and (2) "involvement in health", one of receiver characteristics, were found to be insignificant. Second, most moderating effects on the relationship between purchase and purchase intention of medical care services were found to be insignificant with one exception. That is, elapse of time was found to be a marginally significant moderator on the relationship between purchase and purchase intention of medical care services. Third, it was found that the higher the WOM acceptance, the higher the purchase intention of medical care services. Finally, the effect of WOM acceptance was found to be particularly strong when WOM contents were perceived as useful and positive. Overall, it seems essential for hospitals to actively adopt WOM communication as a competitive marketing tool if they plan to improve their business performance. In this respect, the current study may serve to improve the business performance of hospitals by way of providing theoretical and empirical evidence on the effects of WOM communication variables on WOM acceptance and medical care service purchase.

• Journal of Internet Computing and Services
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.97-105
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• 2018

In this paper, we present our recent effort on the development of a portable OCS system (SCH-mOCS), which provides minimal but essential functionalities of conventional OCS systems. SCH-mOCS is targeted for the environment where Internet connection is not available and fast processing of essential patient information is needed. The main usage could be found at the outdoor environment, such as voluntary medical services at challenged regions. The target of the first usage of the system is in the rural area of Cambodia where medical service and ICT infrastructure is poor. We have been conducting voluntary medical services for 15 years in Cambodia, where the services usually run for 3 days and include outpatient diagnosis/consultation, medication, and simple surgeries. This medical service started in 2002, where about 20 SoonChunHyang University Bucheon Hospital staffs (doctors, nurses, and pharmacists) participated. We realized that a system like SCH-mOCS is needed: we have to consult many patients in a short period, so that a prompt response and prescription to the patients are very important. However, the conventional OCS system is not suitable, because the service is usually conducted outdoor environment where Internet connected computers cannot be installed. Moreover, since the service needs only a subset of the conventional hospital information system and fast system response, application of a full OCS is not practical. The adequate system is a bare minimal OCS system, with very simple and quickly manageable patient admission, consultation, and prescription functionalities. In this paper, we describe hardware as well as the software aspect of a mini-OCS we have developed for the purpose. We named the system SCH-mOCS (SoonChunHyang mini-OCS). We also describe the usage scenario of SCH-mOCS in order to demonstrate that the system is general enough to apply for other similarly challenged regions.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.115-120
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• 2018

Current medical tourism is focused on the services of large hospitals and it is hard to find ways to attract the users. Users collect information for medical tourism through various paths in order to receive the medical consultations and customized tour services. To expand medical tourism to small and medium sized hospitals, it is necessary to have the customized medical consultations, tours and interpreter services, which are the key elements of medical tourism. This study suggests ways to provide the services based on information on medical consultations, tours and interpreter services that users had experienced directly, and also based on the platform for the essential items integrated from users, hospitals and guides' viewpoints. With information on hospitals that provide medical consultations and guides who are able to provide professional services in translation, interpretation and customized tour, users may accumulate and share the information about hospitals and customized tours verified by other users from the integrated platform. To match the contents provided by hospitals and guides with information experienced by users into a system, this study suggests the construction plan for the service model that can match the experience information between users and hospitals, between users and guides and between hospitals and guides systematically by operating the data in the universal container.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.345-346
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• 2022

2022 was a time when the global healthcare system was challenged and has grown in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. In addition, various issues accumulated in the process of quantitative growth have emerged in the Korean healthcare system. For instance, problems of sustainability in health insurance finances and removing bubbles from excessive medical utilization should be urgently resolved as tasks that occurred in the process of expanding the coverage of the health insurance system. The deficit of applicants for the pediatrician residency program suggests that expanding health insurance coverage alone has limitations in providing essential medical services. There is a need to incentivize doctors who provide essential medical care services. In 2023, we hope that efforts to enhance and internally reinforce the healthcare system will be concentrated.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.289-295
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• 2020

This study investigated the feasibility of establishing a college of medicine in the western region of Chungnam to fill the gap in the medical doctor in charge of essential medical care in the region. Currently, the level of medical services in Chungnam is low compared to provinces across the country and in particular, 7 cities and towns, which account for 760,000 people, one-third of Chungnam's population, are located in the western regions of Chungnam. Because of this, in the event of an emergency patients, it is necessary to travel to Cheonan, Daejeon, Seoul, etc. where the regional emergency medical center is located for more than 1 hour and 30 minutes. In the case of critically ill and emergency patients transfer, it is a situation that misses the golden time and causes valuable loss of life. In order to improve the medical environment in the western region of Chungnam and improve the lives of residents in vulnerable areas of medical services, it is believed that establishing a college of medicine in the western region of Chungnam is essential.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.22 no.10
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• pp.155-164
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• 2022

The review of known decisions showed that currently there are no systems and technologies for supporting the decision about the possibility of concluding the civil law agreements for medical, therapeutic and dental services. The paper models the decision-making support process on the possibility of concluding the civil law agreements for medical, therapeutic and dental services, which is the theoretical basis for the development of rules, methods and system for supporting the decision about the possibility of concluding the civil law agreements for medical, therapeutic and dental services. The paper also developed the system for supporting the decision about the possibility of concluding the civil law agreements for medical, therapeutic and dental services, which automatically and free determines the possibility or impossibility of concluding the corresponding civil law agreement for the provision of a corresponding medical service. In the case of formation of a conclusion about the possibility of concluding the agreement, further conclusion and signing of the corresponding agreement takes place. In the case of forming a conclusion about the impossibility of concluding the agreement, a request is made for finalizing the relevant agreement for the provision of the relevant medical service, indicating the reasons for the impossibility of concluding the agreement - missing essential conditions in the agreement. After finalization, the agreement can be analyzed again by the developed system for supporting the decision.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.78-88
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• 1990

The subject of this study is to review the practical approaches of Home Care Services. Included is a brief overview of its nature, providers of Home Care Services, recent history of Home Care Services, and the impact of the national movement toward cost containment in health care. The data used in this study are obtained from the Elderly Program of the Medical Services and other data on the Home Care Services in Japan. With the growing elderly population in Japan, it is to be expected that the medical care expenditure for this sector will continue to increase. With the aim of keeping expenditure for medical care within reasonable bounds, it is essential that this increasing expenditure on the elderly be used effectively. With the Health and Medical Services Law for the Aged was enforced, therefore, remuneration for medical treatment of the elderly and what is known as the staff placement standard at hospital for the elderly were rationalized. In addition to rationalization from the point of view of medical care supply, it is necessary to guarantee the appropriate treatment within the community and at home for those elderly who are bedridden but not in need of hospital care. For this it is required that Home Care Services, such as health services like visiting guidance by public health nurse in hospital of Health Center. So that the elderly can feel secure in receiving treatment within the community and at home, allowances for guidance on leaving hospital and for intermittent nursing and guidance thereafter are to be newly introduced. Home care Services in one aspect of comprehensive health care, it is comprised of health services provided to individuals and families in their homes. Its purposes include promoting, maintaining and restoring health, specifically maximazing independent functioning and minimizing the disabling effects of illness, including terminal illness. Services appropriate to the needs of clients and their families are planned, coordinated, and delivered by providers organized for the delivery of home health care through the use of contractual arrangement, employed staff, or a combination of the two.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.13-27
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate changes in public health-related perceptions of residents of Gangwon province after the outbreak of Coronavirus disease-19(COVID-19) of the public. Methods: We performed paired T-test analysis to measure the change in public health-related perceptions before and after COVID-19. We also utilized generalized estimating equations to identify demographic factors correlated with public health-related perceptions. Results: The public perceived public health as 'All citizens can use medical care and protect/promote health.' The concept was the most popular, from 94.3% in 2019 to 95.5% in 2020. In addition, after COVID-19, residents of Gangwon province's satisfaction with medical services increased, but the overall level was not high. Among the eight essential healthcare needs after COVID-19, cardiovascular disease and injury services have emerged as preferred services. However, by sociodemographic factors, distinctive responses were detected. Conclusions: Through COVID-19, Gangwon residents' awareness of the public's health rights has increased. Those living in vulnerable areas or with unmet medical care, supported strengthening public health care. In addition, although medical satisfaction has increased, it is not satisfied, so listening to the voices of the population group with low satisfaction is essential. Lastly, since the necessity of essential health care may change due to specific events, the local government needs to plan health projects reflecting the needs of residents. Therefore, when designing the public health care strategy in Gangwon province, the local government should consider not only political factors but also environmental factors, demographic and conceptual factors.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.51-65
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• 2024

Purpose: This study is to propose the establishment and direction of a public health-medical cooperation system for rehabilitation medical services for people with physical and brain disabilities in Gangneung, Korea. Research design, data and methodology: The study focused on 30 individuals with these disabilities registered. Data was collected from December 20, 2021, to December 31, 2021, through structured surveys administered by researchers visiting disability-related facilities, utilizing convenience and random sampling methods. Descriptive statistics and cross-analysis were applied for analysis. Results: Specifically, among respondents with physical disabilities, a total of 20 needs were identified, with 'Visiting health services' (25.0%) and 'Oral health services' (20.0%) ranking highest. The survey results regarding visit-based rehabilitation services for disability support showed a high demand, emphasizing the necessity of service provision tailored to the needs of recipients, focusing on disability prevention, health management, and motor function recovery, rather than solely medical or therapeutic concepts. Conclusions: Gangwon National University Hospital, as the regional referral hospital in Gangwon, should collaborate with Gangwon Province Rehabilitation Hospital to provide prompt acute rehabilitation services. Moreover, cooperation and collaboration with Gangneung Asan Hospital, the tertiary hospital in the region, are essential to ensure continued acute and recovery phase rehabilitation therapy for a certain period in the Gangneung area.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.39-46
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• 2023

Purpose: Korean medical services are not balanced across regions and social classes. To prevent mortality gaps, Korea must distribute its medical resources more efficiently. Patient factors affecting emergency room visits serve as basic data for determining best practices for public healthcare distribution. Methods: The data included 18 473 visits by 14 949 de-identified patients who visited a public emergency room over one year. The dependent variable was the number of emergency room visits. A Poisson regression was conducted with the independent variables, comprising sociodemographic, socioeconomic, and spatial accessibility factors and patient characteristics. Results: Older men with higher Korean Triage and Acuity Scale scores visited more frequently. Greater patient-hospital distance decreased visits; however, the presence of a hospital within 1 km of a patient's residence did not affect the number of visits. The use of 119 services was negatively correlated with the number of visits. Visits increased with more medical benefits. Conclusions: Patient age, distance to hospital, use of 119 services, and medical benefits should be considered when planning or managing public hospitals in Korea.