• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.27-42
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• 1992

The purpose of this study is to investigate the occurence properties of the complications in spinal cord injured patients. Clinical observation were for 116 cases in and out wards, were carried out during one year from july, 1990 to June, 1991 at 4 general hospitals in Taegu, Korea. The results of this study is summarized as follows : 1. Among the 116 cases, $67.7\%$ was male and $35.3\%$ was female. The largest groups were noted in $60.7\%$, of the forties by age, in $34.5\%$ of the middle school by educational career, in $27.6\%$ of the administer by professional division. 2. The number of complications in a patient in the largest group was two-type. The next groups were three-type, $23.3\%$ and five-type, $20.7\%$. Of each factors, the largest numbers of two-type recorded tuberculosis of spine$(71.4\%)$, thoracic cord injury$(63.4\%)$, incomplete paraplegia$(48.4\%)$, and inwards during 1-2 months $(47.4\%)$. 3. Total number of the complications were counted to 367 cases. The largest group of complications was pain, $24.8\%$. The next groups were pressure sores, $19.9\%$. spasticity, $12.5\%$, and urinary tract infection, $9.3\%$. 4. The number of the 4 major complications(pain, pressure sores, joint contracture, spasticity) was counted to 280 cases. The largest group of the major complications was pain, $32.5\%$. The next groups were pressure sores, $26.1\%$, joint contracture, $25.9\%$ and spasticity, $16.4\%$. Of each factors, the largest numbers of the pain recorded female$(40.5\%)$, thirties$(49.2\%)$, non-educate $(53.8\%)$, labor$(38.2\%)$, traffic accidents$(32.8\%)$, thoracic cord injury$(34.4\%)$, complete paraplegia$(58.1\%)$, and inwards during above 13 months$(37.5\%)$. 5. The largest group of the pain portion was shoulder. $49.4\%$. The non groups were lower extremity, $25.2\%$, hip, $11.0\%$, and all bodies, $4.3\%$. The largest numbers of the shoulder pain recorded thirties$(59.4\%)$, traffic accidents $(52.7\%)$, cervical cord injury$(67.2\%)$. complete quadriplegia$(81.8\%)$, and inwards during above 13 months$(100.0\%)$. 6. The largest group of the pressure sores sites was sacral portion, $83.6\%$. The next groups were hip, $6.8\%$, maleollus, $4.1\%$. The largest numbers of pressure sores formation in the sacral portion recorded below 19 and above $60(100.0\%)$, falling objects$(100.0\%)$, lumbar cord injury$(100.0\%)$, incomplete paraplegia$(100.0\%)$, and in wards during 3-4 months$(95.9\%)$. 7. The largest group of the joint contracture portion was lower extremity, $61.4\%$, follows was upper extremity, $38.6\%$. The largest numbers of the joint contrcture portions recorded thirties$(100.0\%)$, traffic accidents$(86.1\%)$, cervical cord injury$(80.4\%)$, complete quadriplegia$(86.7\%)$, and inwards during 3-4 months $(82.2\%)$ 8. The largest group of spasticity portion was lower extremity, $53.0\%$. The next groups were hip. 23.9, 23.9, ankle, $8.7\%$, and elbow, $4.3\%$. The largest numbers of the spasticity portions recorded above $60(100.0\%)$, falling $(100.0\%)$, cervical cord injury$(71.4\%)$, incomplete quadriplegia$(71.4\%)$, and inwards during 1-2 months $(100.0\%)$.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.45 no.10
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• pp.1234-1240
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• 2002

Purpose : This study was carried out to obtain the vaccination rate and age appropriateness of vaccination in children under five years of age in Jeonbuk province. Methods : Eight hundred and fifty infants and children were enrolled in this study. Vaccination rate(Number of vaccinees/Number of subjects), places of vaccination, age appropriateness of vacination were examined by either vaccine record review or interview with parents or guardians. Results : The salient features of the findings were as follows : All subjects were aged under five and mostly under two years of age(68.8%). Places of vaccination were health centers or subcenters( 50.4%), private clinics(44.3%), and general hospitals(5.3%). Routine vaccinations such as BCG, hepatitis B vaccine(HBV), diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis(DTaP) and Trivalent Oral Polio Vaccine(TOPV), measles, mumps, rubella(MMR), and Japaneses B encephalitis(JBE) were vaccinated mostly in health centers or subcenters, while chickenpox(CHP) and haemophilus influenzae vaccines(Hib), which are not routine in Korea, were vaccinated in private clinics. The vaccination rates of BCG(99.2%), HBV(93.5%) and DTaP(96.1%) were very high. But those of MMR(83.7%), CHP(72.5%), JBE(50.2%), and Hib(15.8%) were lower than expected. Considering the age appropriateness of vaccination, some infants and children were not appropriately vaccinated(vaccination rate/age appropriateness of vaccine; HBV, 93.5%/88.4% : DTaP, 94.6%/73.1% : JBE, 50.2%/ 18.5%). Conclusion : The vaccination rate of BCG, HBV, DTaP and TOPV was very high, but MMR, CHP, JBE, and Hib vaccination rate was not high enough to be able to protect against epidemic. We should pay more attention to vaccinating children, and there is a need for a program that will enhance coverage for vaccines.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.161-173
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to develope and test the structural model for quality of life in women having hysterectomies. A hypothetical model was constructed on the basis of previous studies and a review of literature. The conceptual framework was built around eight constructs. Exogenous variables included in this model were marital intimacy, importance of uterus, professional support, positive coping behavior and pre-operative symptoms. Endogenous variables were spouse's support, sense of loss and quality of life. Empirical data for testing the hypothetical model was collected using a self-report questionnare from 203 women having hysterectomies at the outpatient clinics of four general hospitals and a mail survey in Pusan City. The Data was collected from December, 1997 to January, 1998. Reliability of the eight instruments was tested with Cronbach's alpha which ranged from 0.639-0.915. For the data analysis, SPSS 7.5 WIN Program and LISREL 8.12 WIN Program were used for descriptive statistics and covariance structural analysis. The results of covariance structure analysis were as follows : 1. Hypothetical model showed a good fit with the empirical data. ［$\chi$$^2$＝6.93(df＝5, P＝.23), GFI＝.99, AGFI＝.94, RMSR＝.019, NNFI＝.97, NFI＝.98, CN＝440, standardized residuals(-2.14-2.10)］ 2. For the parsimony of model, a modified model was constructed by deleting 3 paths and adding 1 path according to the criteria of statistical significance and meaning. 3. The modified model also showed a good fit with the data. ［$\chi$$^2$＝5.26(df＝7, P＝.63), GFI＝.99, AGFI＝.97, RMSR＝.014, NNFI＝1.02, NFI＝.99, CN＝710, standardized residuals(-1.46-1.70)］ Results of the testing of the hypothesis were as follows : 1. Marital intimacy(${\gamma}$11＝.78, t＝14.37) and professional support(${\gamma}$13＝.12, t＝2.12) had a significant direct effect on the spouse's support. 2. Pre-operative symptoms(${\gamma}$25＝.32, t＝3.12), importance of uterus(${\gamma}$22＝.20, t＝2.61) and spouse's support($\beta$2l＝-.19, t＝-2.43) had a significant direct effect on the sense of loss. 3. Sense of loss($\beta$32＝-.66, t＝-9.83) had a direct effect on the quality of life. Marital intimacy had a direct(${\gamma}$31＝.19, t＝3.33), indirect(${\gamma}$31＝.14, t＝2.52) and total effect(${\gamma}$31＝.25, t＝4.41) on the quality of life. Professional support had a direct effect(${\gamma}$33＝.11, t＝2.07) and total effect(${\gamma}$33＝.13, t＝2.31) on the quality of life. The direct effect of pre-operative symptoms(${\gamma}$35＝-.36, t＝4.02) and positive coping behavior(${\gamma}$34＝.15, t＝2.06) had the insignificant effect on the quality of life while, due to the idirect effect these variables had overall significant effect on the quality of life. The results of this study showed that the sense of loss had the most significant direct effect on the quality of life. Marital intimacy, pre -operative symptoms and spouse's support had a significant direct effect on this sense of loss. These four variables, the sense of loss, marital intimacy, pre-operative symptoms and spouse's support, were identified as relatively important variables. The results of this study suggested that there is needed to determine if nursing intervention would alleviate this sense of loss and promote a greater quality of life in women who have had hysterectomies.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.88-117
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• 1990

The purposes of this study are to delineate a profile of the state of a stroke patient's adaptation at 3 months after hospitalization and to explore the relationship between the level of adaptation and the variables which influence the adaptation of hemiplegic patients. To these ends, theoretical framework was derived basically from the stress adaptation model. The basic assumption underlying the level of adaptation is influenced by the presenting focal, contextual and residual stimuli. This group of stimuli is further operationalized and represented by a perception of stress. which is the perceived effect of the disability and by the mediating variables such as sociodemographic factors as an external conditioning variables and perceived social support and hardiness personality characteristics as an internal intervening variables. The dependent varibales in this study is the level of physical, psychological and social adaptation and is hypothesized to be a function of the interaction between 3 sets of variables namely, the perceived disability effect, external conditioning variables and internal intevening varibles. A total of fourty three subjects from 3 general hospitals in Seoul were observed and interviewed with the aid of 7 structured instruments. The data were collected twice on each subject : first at the pre-discharge period arid at 3 months post-discharge from hospital for the second time. The study was carried out for the period from February to August, 1988. The instruments used for the study include 4 existing scales and 3 scales developed by the researcher for this study. They are : 1) The ADL dependency scale and the scale of the clinical physical functions for the assessment of physical adaptation. 2) the SDS(self report of depression) to measure the level of psychological adaptation. 3) The scale for the amount of social activities for the measurement of the level of social adaptation. 4) The scale for the perceived effect of disability for the measurement of the focal stimuli. 5) The health related hardiness scale and the perceived interpersonal support self evaluation list(ISEL) for the measurement of the hardiness personality character and the perceived social support. The data obtained were analyzed using percentage, oneway ANOVA, Pearson coefficients correlation and stepwise multiple regression. The findings provide valuable information about the present level of physical adaptation at 3 months after discharge. The patient revealed a decreased ADL dependency and lowered limitation of physical function as compared with pre - discharge state. Psycholcgically, the average degree of depression at follow up was within normal range of depression. Socially, the amount of social activities was very low. The one way ANOVA and the correlational analysis revealed the relationship between the 3 sets of variables and the adaptation level as follows : 1) The perceived disability effect was related to the degree of the depression and the amount of social activities but was not related to the physical adaptation. 2) Among the sociodemographic variables, sex and education were related to the difference of ADL dependency and the change of physical function. These factors indicate that women more than men and educated more than the less educated were found more independent. The education was also related to the degree of depression suggesting that the higher the educational level, the more well adapted the patients were both physically and psychologically. Age, marital status and job state were not found to be related to the patient's adaptation level. 3) Among the internal intervening variables, the health related hardiness characteristic was related to the differences of ADL dependency, physical functions and the social activities, indicating that the higher the hardiness character the higher the level of physical and social adaptation. 4) The perceived social support, another internal intervening variable, was related to the degree of depression and the social activities. This data suggest that the higher the perception of social support, the better adapted the patients were psychogically and socially. In summarizing the results of the correlational analysis, the level of physical adaptation was influenced by sex, the years of education and the hardiness character. The level of psychological adaptation was influenced by the years of education, the perceived disability effect and the perceived social support. And the level of social adaptation was influenced by the perceived disability effect, the hardiness character and the perceived social support. The stepwise multiple regression analysis shows findings as follows : 1) The most important factor to explain the difference of ADL dependency was sex, indicating females were more independent than males. 2) The most important factor to explain the difference of physical function and the degree of depression was the patient's education level. 3) The strongest explaining factor for the amount of social activities was perceived self esteem(one of the subconcepts of perceived social support). Thus the most important factors influencing the level of adaptation were found to be sex, education, the hardiness character and self esteem. From the above findings, the significance of this study can be delineated as follows : 1) Corroboration of the assumed relationship between the various variables and the adaptation level as suggested in the conceptual model. 2) Support for the feasibility of the cognitive approach for nursing intervention such as hardness character training, counselling and teaching for self-care in the chronic patients.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.206-225
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• 2012

General status of pediatric dentistry in Korea is to conduct vigorous academic activities and specialized medical care centering the Korean Association of Pediatric Dentistry (KAPD) that has about 1,000 pediatric dentists as members, pediatric dentistry departments of 11 Colleges of Dentistry, numbers of pediatric dentistry training institutions and private clinics specialized in children. From 1996, the accredited pediatric dentists were produced by the KAPD and from 2008, the state began to produce the accredited pediatric dentists. Since then, doctors with expertise in pediatric care had opened private clinics in addition to the university hospitals, it became the basis of a momentum to deepen the specialty of pediatric dentistry. The Dentistry community of Korea is going through rapid and profound changes recently, and the underlying reasons for such changes can be classified largely into a few categories: (1) Decreasing population and structural changes in population (2) Increase in numbers of dentists, (3) Changes in the pattern of dental diseases and (4) Changes in medical environment. In Korea, the children population in the age range of 0 ~ 14 years old had been decreased by 2 million in 2010 compared to that of 2000 due to reduction of birth rate. The current population of children in the age range of 0 ~ 4 years old in 2010 takes up 16.2% of the total population, but it is estimated that such percentage would decrease to 8.0% by 2050. Such percentage is largely behind the estimated mean global population of 19.6% by 2050. On the other hand, the number of dentists had been largely increased from 18,000 in 2000 to 25,000 in 2010. And it is estimated that the number will be increased to 41,000 by 2030. In addition, the specialized personnel of Pediatric dentistry had been shown as increased by 2.5 times during past 10 years. For the changes in the pattern of dental diseases, including dental caries, each df rate of 5 years old children and 12 years old children had been decreased by 21.9% and 16.7% respectively in 2010 compared to 2000. Each df Index also had been decreased by 2.5 teeth and 1.2 teeth respectively. The medical expenditure of Korea is less than that of OECD and more specifically, the expenditure from the National Health Plan is less than OECD but the expenditure covered by households is larger than OECD. These facts indicate that it is considered as requiring the coverage of the national health plan to be reinforced more in the future and as such reinforcement needs continuous promotion. In medical examination pattern of Pediatric dentistry, the preventive and corrective treatment were increased whereas the restorative treatment was decreased. It is considered that such change is caused from decrease of dental caries from activation of the prevention project at national level. For the restorative treatment, the restorations in use of dental amalgam, pre-existing gold crowning and endodontic treatment had been decreased in their proportion while the restorative treatment in use of composite resin had been increased. It is considered that such changes is caused by the change of demands from patients and family or guardians as they desired more aesthetic improvement along with socio-economic growth of Korean society. Due to such changes in dentistry, the pediatric dentistry in Korea also attempts to have changes in the patterns of medical examination as follows; It tends to implement early stage treatment through early diagnosis utilizing various diagnostic tools such as FOTI or QLF. The early stage dental caries so called white spot had been included in the subjects for dental care or management and in order to do so, the medical care guidelines essentially accompanied with remineralization treatment as well as minimally invasive treatment is being generalized gradually. Also, centering the Pediatric dentists, the importance of caries risk assessment is being recognized, in addition that the management of dental caries is being changed from surgical approach to internal medicinal approach. Recently, efforts began to emerge in order to increase the target patients to be managed by dentists and to expand the application scope of Pediatric dentistry along with through such changes. The interest and activities of Pediatric dentists which had been limited to the medical examination room so far, is now being expanded externally, as they put efforts for participating in the preventive policy making process of the community or the state, and to support the political theories. And also opinions are being collected into the direction that the future- oriented strategic political tasks shall be selected and researches as well as presentations on the theoretical rationale of such tasks at the association level.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.469-474
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to examine the satisfaction level of parents with elementary school students in some metropolitan areas with the pit and fissure sealing program in a bid to raise awareness of the importance of the preventive treatment and accelerate the spread of it. The subjects in this study were 231 parents who had school children and resided in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. After a self-administered survey was conducted in October and November 2008, the collected data were analyzed. The findings of the study were as follows; 1. As to places for receiving the preventive treatment, 111 respondents (48.1%) experienced pit and fissure sealing in dental clinics, and 88 respondents(38.1%) did that in dental hospitals. 177 people(76.6%) received that treatment from dentists, and 16 respondents(11.3%) did that from dental hygienists. 2. Concerning whether to be for or against the pit and fissure sealing program, more than half that numbered 143(61.9%) supported that program, and 88 respondents(38.1%) didn't. As for satisfaction level, they expressed the biggest satisfaction with the preventive effect of that treatment($3.92{\pm}.85$), and were least satisfied with the cost($1.91{\pm}.86$). 3. Regarding links between general characteristics and satisfaction level, they were statistically significantly different in satisfaction level with the cost according to residential area and the number of child, and age made a statistically significant difference to their satisfaction level with the preventive effect of it. 4. As for relationship between warranty term and whether to be for the pit and fissure sealing program or not, 45(31.5%) out of those who supported the program were provided with no warranty, and 32(36.4%) out of those who took a stand against it were provided with no warranty, either. Warranty was provided to 12(8.4%) respondents of the former group without a fixed term, but that's not the case for any of the latter. The warranty term made statistically significant differences to their agreement or disagreement to the program(p<0.05).

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.41-58
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• 2009

Objective : The purpose of this study is to identify actual operations and issues of wireless paging system operation for the aged living alone as the end users of wireless paging system primarily in Gwangyang city, and thereby to explore possible advanced and integrated ways to promote social safety network for the aged. Methods : The survey tool used in this study was a structured questionnaire form consisting of question items. The researcher hereof conducted this survey by means of direct visit and interview during two seasons, i.e. from February to August, 2008 and from December 2008 to March 2009, respectively. Results : 1) For general demographic characteristics, it was found that 90.9% of all respondents were women and 61.2% of all respondents were at age 75 to 84. for health conditions, it was found that more than 90% of all respondents often took medicines due to their unhealthy body, and most of respondents suffered from musculoskeletal diseases 79.3% and circulatory diseases 61.6%. for walking capacity, it was found that 45.5% of all respondents used walking aids, and disable respondents (11.5% of all respondents) were represented primarily by those with physical disability (52.6% of disable respondents). for actual use of medical institutions, it was found 47.3% of all respondents relied on local clinics, since they preferred neighborhood hospitals or clinics they can trust for medical care. for social activities and supports, it was found that 43.6% respondents had 'needs for assistance at times' and 33.9% respondents have 'no need for assistance'. And it was found that the major difficulties in living alone at old age were represented primarily by health problems 37.8% and economic difficulties 33.5%. 2) For characteristics related to wireless paging system, it was found that 90.3% respondents used wireless paging system recommended by firemen, and 28.5% respondents used this system. and it was found that 59.6% respondents used this system once, and 85.2% respondents used it because of acute or chronic diseases. more than 90% respondents thought that they knew about wireless paging system and considered themselves safe, but 83.6% respondents didn't attach a remote control on their upper clothes, and even 49.1% respondents turned off the power of wireless paging system due to their concern about electricity bill and noise. 3) It was found that 83.6% respondents felt it necessary to use wireless paging system, and wireless paging users felt more satisfied with using the system than non-users, and 50.7% showed high satisfaction at certain psychological benefits like 'confidence in coping with critical situations' and 'a sense of relief'. In addition, it was found that some respondents who answered that 'they didn't turn off the paging system as they knew how it works' and those who answered that they knew 'how to use it' showed relatively high satisfaction. And some respondents who kept it well and felt it necessary also showed high satisfaction. 4) It was found that the level of satisfaction our respondents felt with using wireless paging system varied significantly availability($x^{2}$ = 12.759, p = .002), psychological advantages($x^{2}$ = 12.174, p = .002), knowledge about how to use system($x^{2}$ = 7.021, p = .016), power on/off($x^{2}$ = 13.221, p = .001), level of knowledge about system($x^{2}$ = 21.002, p = .000), maintenance($x^{2}$ = 9.871, p = .007) and level of necessity($x^{2}$ = 34.939, p = .000) on the statistical basis.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.142-152
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• 2000

This study is a descriptive study to offer an actual basic data as Nursing intervention strategy of nurses before delivery in order that pregnant women in Korea may effectively practice Taekyo by examining the relation after apprehending level of recognition and practice of our pregnant women about Taekyo. This study collected questionnaires from 801 pregnant women who visited general hospitals in 10 areas(Seoul, Daejon, chunan, Daegu, Kummi, $Ky{\check{o}}ngju$, $P{\ddot{o}}hang$, Busan, $J{\ddot{o}}nju$, and $Y{\ddot{o}}nkwang$) for prenatal care through an outpatient obstetrics and gynecology from July 15 to August 30, 1999. This study used the tool of lee, Ki Young(1993) revised an complemented by investigator to measure recognition of Taekyo and the tool of Jang, Shun Buk and Park, Young Ju(1996) revised and complemented by investigator to measure practice of Taekyo. The Cronbach's alpha value of each tool was .88 in recognition of Taekyo, while the value was .90 in practice of Taekyo. For data analysis, this study used the descriptive and statistical analysis, Pearson correlation, t-test, ANOVA, Tukey's post hoc contrast, and Stepwise multiple regression in accordance with the purpose of this study with using SPSS Win 7.5 program. The results were as follows ; 1. The practice of Taekyo was low in comparison with recognition of Teakyo by showing average 4.28 points and standard deviation 0.48 at level of recognition of pregnant women about Taekyo on the basis of 5 points and showing to show average 2.81 points and standard deviation 0.36 at practice level on the basis of 4 points. 2. They showed the higher level of recognition on Taekyo at high educational background of pregnant woman(F=3.735, p=.005), Roman catholicism (F=4.570, p=.002), satisfied married life(F=5.448, p=.004), high monthly income(F=6.096, p=.000) and cases of hoping pregnancy(F=2.525, p=.012). 3. They showed the higher level of practice on Taekyo at high educational background of pregnant woman(F=2.883, P=.022), Roman catholicism(F=3.616, p=.032), satisfied married life(F=19.924, p=.000), good health condition(F=2.386, p=.017), cases of hoping pregnancy(F=0.677, p=.000), cases of planning pregnancy with husband(F=3.024, p=.001), cases of regular prenatal care before delivery(F=0.241, p=.005), cases of maternal breast feeding (F=9.132, p=.000), and the number of less children(F=2.763, p=.041). 4. In result of examining correlation between recognition and practice of Taekyo, they showed high level of practice on Taekyo under high level of recognition of pregnant women on Taekyo by showing the statistically significant correlation. 5. In result of examining the related factors that affect recognition and practice of Taekyo y the object, practice of Taekyo had 16.8 percents of explanatory range, purpose of practicing Taekyo 8.5 percents of explanatory range, and monthly income 1.9 percent of explanatory range as variables of affecting recognition of Taekyo. The total explanatory range was 27.2 percents, Recognition of Taekyo had 16.1 percents of explanatory ragne, time of starting Taekyo 3.2 percents, health condition 2.2 percents of explanatory range, condition of hoping pregnancy 1.1 percent of explanatory range, satisfaction of married life 0.8 percent of explanatory range, and religion 0.6 percent of explanatory range as variables of affecting practice of Taekyo. The total explanatory range was 24.0 percents.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.209-244
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• 2020

TMS and tDCS are non-invasive devices that treat the diseases of patients or individual users, and manage or improve their health by applying stimulation to a brain through magnetism and electricity. The effect and safety of these devices have proved to be valid in several diseases, but research in this area is still much going on. Despite increasing cases of their application, legislations directly regulating TMS and tDCS are hard to find. Legal regulation regarding TMS and tDCS in the United States, Germany and Japan reveals that while TMS has been approved as a medical device with a moderate risk, tDCS has not yet earned approval as a medical device. However, the recent FDA guidance, European MDR changes, recalls in the US, and relevant legal provisions of Germany and Japan, as well as recommendations from expert groups all show signs of tDCS growing closer to getting approved as a medical device. Of course, safety and efficacy of tDCS can still be regulated as a general product instead of as a medical device. Considering multiple potential impacts on a human brain, however, the need for independent regulation is urgent. South Korea also lacks legal provisions explicitly regulating TMS and tDCS, but they fall into the category of the grade 3 medical devices according to the notifications of the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. And safety and efficacy of TMS are to be evaluated in compliance with the US FDA guidance. But no specific guidelines exist for tDCS yet. Given that tDCS devices are used in some hospitals in reality, and also at home by individual buyers, such a regulatory gap must quickly be addressed. In a longer term, legal system needs to be in place capable of independently regulating non-invasive brain stimulating devices.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.211-220
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine the job performance of dental coordinators and their perception of their job to lay the groundwork for utilizing dental personnels more efficiently. The subjects in this study were dental coordinators who worked at selected dental hospitals and clinics in Seoul, Gyeonggi province and Incheon. A survey was conducted to gather data from May 1 to August 8, 2005 and answer sheets from 108 respondents were analyzed. The findings of the study were as follows: 1. As for the length of service, 43.5 percent of the dental coordinators investigated had worked at dental institutes for five years or more, which was followed by less than two years(19.5%) and three years to less than five years(19.4%). Concerning the length of service as dental coordinators, 39.8 percent had served for less than two years, and 19.4 percent had worked for two years to less than three years and for five years or more respectively. Regarding the name of position, 38 percent were called team leaders, and 30.6 percent were called coordinators. As to duties, the largest group of them that stood at 30.6 percent were in charge of receiving, and in regard to department, the largest group, 57.4 percent, belonged to the treatment backup department. 2. Concerning education, the greatest number of them, 45.4 percent, had received education at private institutes, and 73.1 percent found it necessary for dental coordinators to take an authorized qualification test. 43.5 percent, the largest group, looked upon the central government as the best organization to authorize their qualifications and 70.8 percent believed that what they learned enabled them to perform their job successfully. As to the necessity of follow-up education as a means to improve job performance, 96.3 percent consented to it. As for the reason, 63.9 percent considered that necessary to enhance their own ability and 22.2 percent were in want of systematic education. Regarding educational expenses, 29.6 percent were subsidized by the dental institutes where they had worked and 25.9 percent had totally been responsible for that. Regarding a required course, medical service and marketing was most widely pointed out(66.7%), followed by theory and practice(65.7%) and introduction to dentistry(57.4%). As to what sort of education they wanted to receive more, dental service and marketing was selected the most, followed by practical health insurance(35.2%). 3. In regard to what type of job they performed as dental coordinators, 88.9 percent were in charge of appointment in the field of customer service, and 87.9 percent paid attention to having good manners as service providers in the area of self-management. In the field of hospital affairs, 81.3 percent were in charge of receiving. 4. As to their awareness of dental coordinator job, the largest group took pride in the job they performed ($3.99{\pm}0.76$), and the second largest group believed that dental coordinators made a great contribution to hospital management ($3.92{\pm}0.70$). The third largest group gave a great weight to their own job ($3.91{\pm}0.84$) in light of overall dental duties and the fourth largest group found themselves to get along with other employees regardless of position ($3.86{\pm}0.74$). The fifth largest group believed their job was of great use for promoting the oral health of patients ($3.76{\pm}0.75$), and the sixth largest group thought the future of dental coordinators was promising($3.74{\pm}0.86$). 5. In regard to their perception by age group, those who were older had a better opinion on every item of their job in general. Their age made a statistically significant difference to their view of the weight of dental coordinator job(P < 0.001) in light of overall dental duties, of being approved and trusted by managers(P < 0.01), of social awareness of dental coordinator, and of being understood and approved by other employees and dentists. Their pride in current job and their satisfaction with the name of their position were statistically significantly different according to their age as well. Besides, their age made a statistically significant difference to their opinion about whether or not there was an age limit to their occupation and about their contribution to hospital management (P < 0.05). 6. As for their perception by type of job, the dental hygienists were generally most satisfied with their job, followed by nursing aids and others. There was a statistically significant gap among their opinions about whether to make a job-related decision on their own(P < 0.001). the weight of their job in terms of overall dental duties, whether their job improved their ability, whether their job made a great contribution to enhancing the oral health of patients, whether their job was understood and approved by other employees(P < 0.01), social awareness of their job, whether they conflicted with other employees during job performance, and whether dental hospitals or clinics offered a self-development opportunity for them to take their ability to another level(P < 0.05). And their satisfaction with current pay was statistically significantly different as well.