• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.163-193
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• 1997

Medical services are a fundamental and essential service in all urban areas. The location and accessibility of medical service facilities and institutions are critical to the diagnosis, control and prevention of illness and disease. The purpose of this paper is to present the results of a study on the location of medical facilities in Kwangju and the utilization of these facilities by the inhabitants. The following information is a summary of the findings: (1) Korea, like many countries, is now witnessing an increase in the age of its population as a result of higher living standards and better medical services. Korea is also experiencing a rapid increase in health care costs. To ensure easy access to medical consultation, diagnosis and treatment by individuals, the hierarchical efficient location of medical facilities, low medical costs, equalized medical services, preventive medical care is important. (2) In Korea, the quality of medical services has improved significantly as evident by the increased number of medical facilities and medical personnel. However, there is still a need for not only quantitative improvements but also for a more equitable distribution of and location of medical services. (3) There are 503 medical facilities in Kwangju each with a need to service 2,556 people. This is below the national average of 1,498 inhabitants per facility. The higher locational quotient and satisfactory population per medical facility showed at the civic center. On the other hand, problem regions such as the traditional residential area in Buk-Gu, Moo-deung mountain area and the outer areas of west Kwangju still maintain rural characteristics. (4) In the study area there are 86 general medicine clinics which provide basic medical services. i. e. one clinic per every 14,949 residents. As a basic service, its higher locational quotient showed in the residential area. The lower population concentration per clinic was found in the civic center and in the former town center, Songjeong-dong. In recently build residential areas and in the civic center, the lack of general medicine clinics is not a serious medical services issue because of the surplus of medical specialists in Korea. People are inclined to seek a consultation with a specialist in specific fields rather than consult a general practitioner. As a result of this phenomenon, there are 81 internal medicine facilities. Of these, 32.1% provide services to people who are not referred by a primary care physician but who self-diagnose then choose a medical facility specializing in what they believe to be their health problem. Areas in the city, called dongs, without any internal facilities make up 50% of the total 101 dongs. (5) There are 78 surgical facilities within the area, and there is little difference at the locational appearance from internal medicine facilities. There are also 71 pediatric health clinics for people under 15 years of age in this area, represents one clinic per 5,063 people. On the quantitative aspect, this is a positive situation. Accessibility is the most important facility choice factor, so it should be evenly located in proportion to demander distribution. However, 61% of 102 dongs have no pediatric clinics because of the uneven location. (6) There are 43 obstetrical and gynecological clinics in Kwangju, and the number of residents being served per clinic is 15,063. These services need to be given regularly so it should increase the numbers. There are 37 ENT clinics in the study area with the lower concentration in Dong-gu (32.4%) making no locational differences by dong. There are 23 dermatology clinics with the largest concentration in Dong-Gu. There are 17 ophthalmic clinics concentrated in the residential area because of the primary function of this type of specialization. (7) The use of general medicine clinics, internal medicine clinics, pediatric clinics, ENT clinics by the inhabitants indicate a trend toward primary or routine medical services. Obstetrics and gynecology clinics are used on a regular basis. In choosing a general medicine clinic, internal medicine clinic, pediatric clinic, and a ENT clinic, accessibility is the key factor while choice of a general hospital, surgery clinic, or an obstetrics and gynecology clinic, thes faith and trust in the medical practitioner is the priority consideration. (8) I considered the efficient use of medical facilities in the aspect of locational and management and suggest the following: First, primary care facilities should be evenly distributed in every area. In Kwangju, the number of medical facilities is the lowest among the six largest cities in Korea. Moreover, they are concentrated in Dong-gu and in newly developed areas. The desired number of medical facilities should be within 30 minutes of each person's home. For regional development there is a need to develop a plan to balance, for example, taxes and funds supporting personnel, equipment and facilities. Secondly, medical services should be co-ordinated to ensure consistent, appropriate, quality services. Primary medical facilities should take charge of out-patient activities, and every effort should be made to standardize and equalize equipment and facility resources and to ensure ongoing development and training in the primary services field. A few specialty medical facilities and general hospitals should establish a priority service for incurable and terminally ill patients. (9) The management scheme for the inhabitants' efficient use of medical service is as follows: The first task is to efficiently manage medical facilities and related services. Higher quality of medical services can be accomplished within the rapidly changing medical environment. A network of social, administrative and medical organizations within an area should be established to promote information gathering and sharing strategies to better assist the community. Statistics and trends on the rate or occurrence of diseases, births, deaths, medical and environment conditions of the poor or estranged people should be maintained and monitored. The second task is to increase resources in the area of disease prevention and health promotion. Currently the focus is on the treatment and care of individuals with illness or disease. A strong emphasis should also be placed on promoting prevention of illness and injury within the community through not only public health offices but also via medical service facilities. Home medical care should be established and medical testing centers should be located as an ordinary service level. Also, reduced medical costs for the physically handicapped, cardiac patients, and mentally ill or handicapped patients should be considered.

• 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.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.13-32
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• 1998

A questionaire was conducted to obtain ran satisfactions in information of the 325 disabled persons among the total 9,314 handicapped people in Taejon area, and was surveyed during the period of June 1 to August 31, 1997. The results are as follows: 1. Among the studied disabled persons, $54.5\%$ of male, and $45.5\%$ of female. 2. Before disabled in occupation, $32.0\%$ of out of work group were high, $6.5\%$ of farm, student group were low. Before disabled in occupation by gender, male group is $29.9\%$ of out of work group were high, $0.6\%$ of housework group were low. female group is$34.5\%$ of out of work group were high, $4.7\%$ of student group were low(P<0.001). 3. After disabled in occupation, $75.1\%$ of out of work group wert high, $10.8\%$ of in working group were low. After disabled in occupation by gender, male group is $87.6\%$ of out of work group were high, $1.7\%$ of housework group were low. female group is $60.1\%$ of out of work group were hgh, $10.8\%$ of in working group were low(P<0.001). 4. Medical security status, $64.9\%$ of medical aid group wore high, $35.1\%$ of medical insurance group were low. Medical security status by gender, male group is $71.2\%$ of medical aid group were high, $28.8\%$ of medical insurance group were Iew. female group is $57.4\%$ of medical aid group wan high, $42.6\%$ of medical insurance were low(P<0.01). 5. Disabled record status, $68.6\%$ of record group were high, $31.4\%$ of non group were low. Disabled record status by gender, male group is $78.5\%$ of record group were high, $21.5\%$ of non record group were low. female group is $56.6\%$ of record group were high, $43.4%$ of non record group were low(P<0.001). 6. Disabled duration status, $42.2\%$ of loss than 9 year group were high, $10.2\%\;of\;20-29,\;30-39$ year group were low. Disabled duration status by gender,'male group is $44.6\%$ of less than 9 year group were high, $6.2\%$ of 20-29 year group wert low. female group is $39.2\%$ of less than 9 year were high, $39.2\%$ of 30-39 year group were low (P<0.05). 7. Cause of disabled status, $26.5\%$ of other group, $23.7\%$ of congenital group were high. $9.2\%$ of unknown group, $6.8\%$ of industry accident, $2.5\%$ of drug poisoning group were low. Cause of disabled status by gender, male group is $27.7\%$ of other group, $23.7\%$ of congenital group were high, $2.3\%$ drug poisoning group were low. female group is $25.0\%$ of other group, $20.9\%$ of congenital group were high, $2.5\%$ of drug poisoning group were low (P<0.001). 8. Disabled type status, $19.4\%$ of double disabled group were high, $2.2\%$ of muscle paralysis group were low. Disabled type status by gender, male group is $22.0\%$ of double disabled group were high, $2.3\%$ of muscle paralysis group were low. female group is $23.3\%$ of rheumatism group were high, $0.7\%$ of amputation group were low(P<0.001). 9. Smoking status, $73.2\%$ of non smoking group were high, $26.8\%$ of smoking group were low. Smoking status by gender, male group is $59.9\%$ of double non smoking group were high, $40.1\%$ of Smoking group were low, female group is $89.2\%$ of non smoking group were high, $10.8\%$ of smoking group were low(P<0.001). 10. Drinking status, $80.0\%$ of non drinking group were high, $20.0\%$ of drinking group were low. Drinking status by gender, male group is $72.3\%$ of non drinking group were high, $27.7\%$ of drinking group were low. female group is $89.2\%$ of non drinking group were high, $10.8\%$ of drinking group were low(P<0.001). 11. Stress level status, $52.9\%$ of high stress group were high, $1.8\%$ of very severe stress group were low. Stress level status by gender, male group is $50.8\%$ of high stress group were high, $2.3\%$ of very severe stress group were low. female group is $55.4\%$of high stress group were high, $1.4\%$ of very severe stress group were low. 12. Heed status, $28.0\%$ of economic support were high, $4.6\%$ of speech therapy, brace group were low. Need status by Sender, male group is $2i2\%$ of economic support group were high, $4.5\%$ of bracegroup were low. female group is$27.7\%$ of economic support group were high, $3.4\%$ of speech therapy group were low. 13. Care satisfaction comparision, 3.09, 0.55 point of IBR, 4.01, 0.45 point of CHR(P<0.001). 14. The variables which had positive correlation with IBR were gender(r=0.1406, P<0.01), age(r=0.1872, p<0.001), economic level(r=0.1246, P<0.05), disabled record(r=0.1137, P<0.05), education level(r=-0.1122. p<0.05). 15. The variables which had positive : correlation with CBR were gender(r=0.1613, P<0.01), age(r=0.2255, P<0.001). list of family(r=0.12i3, P<0.01), disabled record(r=0.1273, P<0.05). education level(r=-0.1294, P<0.01).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.667-673
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• 2021

As we enter the era of the 4th industrial revolution, it is judged that the scope of work of radiologists will be further expanded according to the innovation and advancement of radiation medical technology development. In this study, the current status of medical equipment and radiology technicians was identified, and basic data were provided for the plan for nurturing talents in the field of radiation medical technology in the era of the 4th industrial revolution, as well as career and employment counseling. Data from the second quarter of 2020 and the second quarter of 2021 were analyzed using health and medical big data. As a result of comparing the status of medical equipment by type in 2021 compared to 2020, C-Arm X-ray examination equipment increased by 5.83% to 6,638 units, followed by MRI examination equipment 1,811 units 5.29%, and angiography equipment 725 units 5.22% , general X-ray examination equipment 21,557 units increased 3.99%, CT examination equipment 2,136 units 3.03%, and breast examination equipment 3,425 units increased 3.00%. As a result of a comparison of the total number of radiologists in 2021 compared to 2020, the number was 29,038, an increase of 2.73%. As a result of comparing the status of radiographers by region, the increase was highest in the Gyeonggi region with 5.96%, followed by the Gangwon region with a 5.66% increase and the Chungnam region with a 3.81% increase. In a situation where the number of medical equipment and radiologist manpower is increasing, universities are developing specialized knowledge and practical competency through subject development related to the understanding and utilization of customized artificial intelligence and big data that can be applied in the medical radiation technology field in the era of the 4th industrial revolution. It is necessary to nurture qualified radiographers, and at the level of the association, it is thought that active policies are needed to create new jobs and improve employment.

• The Korean Journal of Nuclear Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2002

Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is a nuclear medicine imaging modality that consists of systemic administration to a subject of a radiopharmaceutical labeled with a positron-emitting radionuclide. Following administration, its distribution in the organ or structure under study can be assessed as a function of time and space by (1) defecting the annihilation radiation resulting from the interaction of the positrons with matter, and (2) reconstructing the distribution of the radioactivity from a series of that used in computed tomography (CT). The nuclides most generally exhibit chemical properties that render them particularly desirable in physiological studies. The radionuclides most widely used in PET are F-18, C-11, O-15 and N-13. Regarding to the number of the current PET Centers worldwide (based on ICP data), more than 300 PET Centers were in operation in 2000. The use of PET technology grew rapidly compared to that in 1992 and 1996, particularly in the USA, which demonstrates a three-fold rise in PET installations. In 2001, 194 PET Centers were operating in the USA. In 1994, two clinical and research-oriented PET Centers at Seoul National University Hospital and Samsung Medical Center, was established as the first dedicated PET and Cyclotron machines in Korea, followed by two more PET facilities at the Korea Cancer Center Hospital, Ajou Medical Center, Yonsei University Medical Center, National Cancer Center and established their PET Center. Catholic Medical School and Pusan National University Hospital have finalized a plan to install PET machine in 2002, which results in total of nine PET Centers in Korea. Considering annual trends of PET application in four major PET centers in Korea in Asan Medical Center recent six years (from 1995 to 2000), a total of 11,564 patients have been studied every year and the number of PET studies has shown steep growth year upon year. We had 1,020 PET patients in 1995. This number increased to 1,196, 1,756, 2,379, 3,015 and 4,414 in 1996,1997,1998,1999 and 2000, respectively. The application in cardiac disorders is minimal, and among various neuropsychiatric diseases, patients with epilepsy or dementia can benefit from PET studios. Recently, we investigated brain mapping and neuroreceptor works. PET is not a key application for evaluation of the cardiac patients in Korea because of the relatively low incidence of cardiac disease and less costly procedures such as SPECT can now be performed. The changes in the application of PET studios indicate that, initially, brain PET occupied almost 60% in 1995, followed by a gradual decrease in brain application. However, overall PET use in the diagnosis and management of patients with cancer was up to 63% in 2000. The current medicare coverage policy in the USA is very important because reimbursement policy is critical for the promotion of PET. In May 1995, the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) began covering the PET perfusion study using Rubidium-82, evaluation of a solitary pulmonary nodule and pathologically proven non-small cell lung cancer. As of July 1999, Medicare's coverage policy expanded to include additional indications: evaluation of recurrent colorectal cancer with a rising CEA level, staging of lymphoma and detection of recurrent or metastatic melanoma. In December of 2001, National Coverage decided to expand Medicare reimbursement for broad use in 6 cancers: lung, colorecctal, lymphoma, melanoma, head and neck, and esophageal cancers; for determining revascularization in heart diseases; and for identifying epilepsy patients. In addition, PET coverage is expected to further expand to diseases affecting women, such as breast, ovarian, uterine and vaginal cancers as well as diseases like prostate cancer and Alzheimer's disease.