• Journal of health informatics and statistics
• /
• v.43 no.4
• /
• pp.300-306
• /
• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate empirically through a specialist AHP analysis what factors should be more important in the development of the public health care system. In addition, we will use Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) method for experts to achieve research purpose. Methods: The data analysis method of this study is as follows. First, we set up three metrics in order to measure the relative importance between the factors to be improved for the development of the public health care system and each of the sub-factors. A total of nine measurements (items) were set by combining the three measurement criteria for each measurement index. Second, the relative importance and priority analysis use the AHP analysis. Third, the subjects of this study were 15 experts in the field of public health care. The statistical processing was performed using the Expert Choice 2000 statistical program. Results: In order to development of the public health care system, experts ranked the most important as improvement in the systematic aspect of public health care (56%) as the first priority. Next, the relative importance analysis of the measurement items considering the multiple-weights of the sub-factors is as follows. The strengthen institutional improvement (revitalization of secondary public function hospital) was the number one, strengthen cooperation between agencies was the second, and Re-establishing the role of local public health care system was the third place. Conclusions: Considering the relative importance, factors that are considered to be important in the first place may not be improved as the best policy alternative due to limitations in spatial, temporal, financial, and institutional aspects. In this case, we suggest that we should choose the best policy alternative by using prioritization considering relative weights.

• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.31 no.4
• /
• pp.451-461
• /
• 2021

Background: Readmissions related to lack of quality care harm both patients and health insurance finances. If the factors affecting readmission are identified, the readmission can be managed by controlling those factors. This paper aims to identify factors that affect readmissions of convalescent rehabilitation patients. Methods: Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service claims data were used to identify readmissions of convalescent patients who were admitted in hospitals and long-term care hospitals nationwide in 2018. Based on prior research, the socio-demographics, clinical, medical institution, and staffing levels characteristics were included in the research model as independent variables. Readmissions for convalescent rehabilitation treatment within 30 days after discharge were analyzed using logistic regression and generalization estimation equation. Results: The average readmission rate of the study subjects was 24.4%, and the risk of readmission decreases as age, length of stay, and the number of patients per physical therapist increase. In the patient group, the risk of readmission is lower in the spinal cord injury group and the musculoskeletal system group than in the brain injury group. The risk of readmission increases as the severity of patients and the number of patients per rehabilitation medicine specialist increases. Besides, the readmission risk is higher in men than women and long-term care hospitals than hospitals. Conclusion: "Reducing the readmission rate" is consistent with the ultimate goal of the convalescent rehabilitation system. Thus, it is necessary to prepare a mechanism for policy management of readmission.

• Neurospine
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.376-382
• /
• 2018

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate factors associated with inpatient admission following 2-level cervical disc arthroplasty (CDA). A secondary aim was to compare outcomes between those treated on an inpatient versus outpatient basis. Methods: Using data from the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the independent effect of each variable on inpatient or outpatient selection for surgery. Statistical significance was defined by p-values <0.05. The factors considered were age, sex, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status classification, and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, history of dyspnea or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, previous cardiac intervention or surgery, steroid usage, and history of bleeding. In addition, whether the operation was performed by an orthopedic or neurosurgical specialist was analyzed. Results: The number of 2-level CDA procedures increased from 6 cases reported in 2014 to 142 in 2016, although a statistically significant increase in the number of outpatient cases performed was not seen (p=0.2). The factors found to be significantly associated with inpatient status following surgery were BMI (p=0.019) and diabetes mellitus requiring insulin (p=0.043). There were no significant differences in complication and readmission rates between the inpatient and outpatient groups. Conclusion: Patients undergoing inpatient 2-level CDA had significantly higher rates of obesity and diabetes requiring insulin than did patients undergoing the same procedure in the outpatient setting. With no difference in complication or readmission rates, 2-level CDA may be considered safe in the outpatient setting in appropriately selected patients.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.57 no.8
• /
• pp.428-436
• /
• 2019

In cases of a patient referral, the general dentist should communicate the patient's dental information as clearly as possible to the specialist to whom he/she is referring his/her patient. For this reason, it is necessary to write a referral letter in an accurate and complete manner. The purpose of this study is to analyze the referral letters of patients who are referred to the department of conservative dentistry in a dental university hospital. From January, 2017 to December, 2018, we gathered the information of the patients who were referred to the department of conservative dentistry in a dental university hospital with referral letter. We evaluated the fidelity of a total of 750 referral letters and recorded the information of the referral dentist and the dental clinic. The relationship between each item and fidelity was analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program. The analysis of the contents of the referral letters yielded the following results: The fidelity of the referral letter was higher when the patient was referred during the root canal treatment, or when there was a root canal filling or when there was pain during chewing. The fidelity of referral letter was low in cases where the referring clinic is close to and has cooperative relationship with dental university hospital. Among the factors affecting the fidelity, the year of graduation of the referral dentist was the most influential. This study confirmed the fact that the clinical practice of writing patient referral letters still leaves much to be desired. In order to solve this problem, it is necessary to create more clear and standardized guidelines for writing referral letters.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.525-537
• /
• 2021

Since the late 1990s, public nursing hospitals have been established, and as of 2018, 79 hospitals account for 5.1% of all nursing hospitals. Announcing the public Moon Jae-in dementia in the state government responsibility for the convalescent hospital with dementia to patients for specified to the hospital with severe dementia specialist care institution. A different policy options and development. In this regard, the Dementia Management Act was revised in 2018 to provide a legal basis for the operation evaluation of public nursing hospitals, and this evaluation will begin in 2020. As part of the study to conduct the operation evaluation of public nursing hospitals to be implemented from 2020, the research established a function to foster public nursing hospitals as specialized institutions for dementia patients and competent institutions for treating rehabilitation patients during the period of recovery, and developed an evaluation system to evaluate their behavior as medical services, public nature and public institutions.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.271-277
• /
• 2019

As a means of treatment for people with disabilities, there is a growing interest in horse riding. Horse riding improves physical conditions such as muscles, joints, and cardiopulmonary function, alleviates tension, and encourages confidence through large animals such as horses. The various therapeutic effects of therapeutic horse riding have been recognized by many medical professionals, including the American Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Association. On the other hand, in Korea, there is not yet a scientific basis for the therapeutic effects of specific diseases or clinical treatments. The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of rehabilitation related professional worker's therapeutic horse riding. Recognition and use experience of therapeutic horse riding were generally low, but doctors who wanted to use it when the expectation of effectiveness and therapeutic horse riding education were assumed were relatively high. Based on these results, it can be confirmed that the therapeutic horse riding will be recognized as a clinical treatment method in the future.

• Journal of Veterinary Science
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.40.1-40.19
• /
• 2024

Importance: The creation of robust maternal-embryonic interactions and implantation models is important for comprehending the early stages of embryonic development and reproductive disorders. Traditional two-dimensional (2D) cell culture systems often fail to accurately mimic the highly complex in vivo conditions. The employment of three-dimensional (3D) organoids has emerged as a promising strategy to overcome these limitations in recent years. The advancements in the field of organoid technology have opened new avenues for studying the physiology and diseases affecting female reproductive tract. Observations: This review summarizes the current strategies and advancements in the field of 3D organoids to establish maternal-embryonic interaction and implantation models for use in research and personalized medicine in assisted reproductive technology. The concepts of endometrial organoids, menstrual blood flow organoids, placental trophoblast organoids, stem cell-derived blastoids, and in vitro-generated embryo models are discussed in detail. We show the incorportaion of organoid systems and microfluidic technology to enhance tissue performance and precise management of the cellular surroundings. Conclusions and Relevance: This review provides insights into the future direction of modeling maternal-embryonic interaction research and its combination with other powerful technologies to interfere with this dialogue either by promoting or hindering it for improving fertility or methods for contraception, respectively. The merging of organoid systems with microfluidics facilitates the creation of sophisticated and functional organoid models, enhancing insights into organ development, disease mechanisms, and personalized medical investigations.

• Journal of Pharmacopuncture
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2024

Objectives: Post-operative urinary retention (POUR) is a frequent complication following surgical procedures, characterized by an acute inability to void, leading to additional complications and extended hospitalization. Acupuncture has been shown to be effective in facilitating spontaneous urination and alleviating anxiety in patients experiencing poor urination. The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of electroacupuncture in the management of POUR in patients who have undergone lumbar spine surgery. Methods: This retrospective study conducted at the National Hospital of Acupuncture in Vietnam and reviewed the medical records of patients over 18 years old who underwent lumbar spine surgery and were diagnosed with POUR between January to December 2019. Electroacupuncture was administered at five specific acupuncture points: Qugu (CV2), Zhongji (CV3), Zhibian (BL54), Pangguanshu (BL28), and Kunlun (BL60). This study monitored key parameters related to the effectiveness of the acupuncture treatment, including the number of acupuncture treatment sessions required until a patient was successfully treated was recorded, with a maximum of three acupuncture treatment sessions per patient, the time elapsed until urination following the treatment (minutes), and urinary bladder volume before and after treatment (mL). Results: The study demonstrated a 93.3% success rate in treating POUR with electroacupuncture. A significant reduction in post-void residual volume was noted, and patients could void within 30 minutes post-treatment. No significant differences in treatment effectiveness were observed across difference genders and age groups. Conclusion: Electroacupuncture proved to be a highly effective treatment for POUR in patients post-lumbar spine surgery, with a rapid response time and substantial reduction in PVR. However, the retrospective nature of the study and single-center focus limit its generalizability. Future research incorporating randomized controlled trials or multi-center observational studies are recommended to validate these findings and explore the potential of acupuncture in POUR management on a broader scale.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.95-106
• /
• 2024

The article is devoted to the design and development of an information system for preserving the results of testing to verify the residual knowledge of students of the resource for training specialists in information and communication technologies. The purpose of the study is to provide a scientific justification for the problem of developing professional training of specialists in information and communication technologies in the process of using an information system to save test results to verify students' residual knowledge and to verify the effectiveness of its implementation in universities. According to the results of the experiment, it can be argued that the introduction of an information system to preserve the results of testing to test students' residual knowledge in the educational process contributes to the professional training of specialists in information and communication technologies at the universities of Ukraine. The practice of development and use of modern information technologies focused on the implementation of psychological and pedagogical goals of teaching and education is fundamentally new mediated by modern technical and technological innovations.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.57 no.1
• /
• pp.73-82
• /
• 2024

Objectives: The unsafe use of pesticides in agriculture represents a major hazard to human health. This study was conducted to investigate the association between pesticide exposure and health symptoms among chili farmers in northeast Thailand. Methods: This cross-sectional analytic study included 141 chili farmers in Sakon Nakhon Province, in northeast Thailand. Data regarding health symptoms were gathered using a self-report questionnaire. A medical technician tested blood cholinesterase activity using an erythrocyte method, and an occupational medicine specialist at Ramathibodi Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand reviewed the results. Associations between personal characteristics, pesticide exposure factors, and health symptoms were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the 141 chili farmers studied, 66.7% experienced pesticide poisoning, as indicated by below-normal cholinesterase levels. Fatigue was the most frequently reported symptom associated with pesticide exposure, affecting 37.6% of participants. This was followed by nausea and vomiting (31.9%), dizziness (14.9%), and dry throat (14.9%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that several factors were significantly associated with adverse symptoms: amount of work experience, volume of pesticides used, use of chemical pesticides, use of leaking containers during spraying, direct pesticide exposure while working, contact with pesticide-soaked clothing, consumption of food and drinks in the fields, and blood cholinesterase level indicating risk. Conclusions: This study suggests potential health risks for chili farmers stemming from exposure to and contamination by pesticides used in agricultural practices. To mitigate these risks, it is essential to supply personal protective equipment and to implement educational programs aimed at improving protective behaviors among farmers.