• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.10-16
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• 2019

Background: Physicians tend to overcorrect when applying the acellular dermal matrix for reconstructive option because of volume decrement problem after absorption comparing with initial volume. However, there are no studies on the exact volume decrement and absorption rate with commercial products in South Korea. To figure out absorption rate of acellular dermal matrix product in South Korea (Megaderm), authors designed this experiment. Methods: Nine mice were used and randomly divided into three groups by the time with sacrificing. The implant (Megaderm) was tailored to fit a cuboid form ($1.0cm{\times}1.0cm$ in length and width and 2.0 mm in thickness). A skin incision was made at anterior chest with blade #15 scalpel with exposing the pectoralis major muscle. As hydrated Megaderm was located upon the pectoralis major muscle, the skin was sutured with Ethilon #5-0. After the surgical procedure, each animal group was sacrificed at 4, 8, and 12 weeks, respectively, for biopsies and histological analysis of the implants. All samples were stained with routine hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson's trichrome staining and the thickness were measured. A measurements were analyzed using Friedman test. Statistically, the correlation between thicknesses of Megaderm before and after implantation was analyzed. Results: After sacrificing the animal groups at postoperative 4, 8, 12 weeks, the mean tissue thickness values were $2.10{\pm}1.03mm$, $2.17{\pm}0.21mm$, and $2.40{\pm}0.20mm$ (p= 0.368), respectively. The remaining ratios after absorption comparing with after initial hydrated Megaderm were 82.7%, 85.4%, and 94.5%, respectively. In histopathological findings, neovascularization and density of collagenous fiber was increased with time. Conclusion: Author's hypothesis was absorption rate of implant would be increased over time. But in this experiment, there is no statistical significance between mean absorption thickness of implant and the time (p= 0.368). Also it can be affected by graft site, blood supply, and animals that were used in the experiment.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.159-167
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• 2022

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the epidemiology of trauma inpatients with venous thromboembolism (VTE) symptoms diagnosed using computed tomographic angiography (CTA) in Korea. Methods: In total, 7,634 patients admitted to the emergency department of Gachon University Gil Medical Center, a tertiary hospital, and hospitalized between July 1, 2018 and December 31, 2020 were registered for this study. Of these patients, 278 patients who underwent CTA were enrolled in our study. Results: VTE was found in 120 of the 7,634 patients (1.57%), and the positive diagnosis rate of the 278 patients who underwent CTA was 43.2% (120 of 278). The incidence of VTE was statistically significantly higher among those with severe head and neck injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 3-5) than among those with nonsevere head and neck injuries (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 0-2; P=0.038). In a subgroup analysis, the severe and nonsevere head and neck injury groups showed statistically significant differences in known independent risk factors for VTE. In logistic regression analysis, the adjusted odds ratio of severe head and neck injury (Abbreviated Injury Scale, 3-5) for VTE was 1.891 (95% confidence interval, 1.043-3.430). Conclusions: Trauma patients with severe head and neck injuries are more susceptible to VTE than those with nonsevere head and neck injuries. Thus, physicians must consider CTA as a priority for the diagnosis of VTE in trauma patients with severe head and neck injuries who show VTE-associated symptoms.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.211-220
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• 2023

Background: Smartphone addiction has emerged as a significant social problem. Numerous studies have indicated the association between smartphone use and discomfort in the musculoskeletal system of the upper extremities. Objects: This cross-sectional survey aimed to compare the characteristics of musculoskeletal pain in the neck, trunk, and upper limbs between individuals with smartphone addiction and those without addiction. Methods: We collected a total of 326 healthy individuals' data from China and Korea who had owned and used smartphones for more than 5 years between 20-50s through an online questionnaire consisting of 84 questions in four major sections. The first part contained basic information on the participant's personal characteristics and smartphones. The second part contained questions about smartphone use and posture. The third part was the smartphone addiction. The fourth part was to investigate musculoskeletal pain in various upper body parts. Results: Smartphone addiction has a weak negative correlation with age (r = -0.20, p < 0.01) and a weak positive correlation with the hours of smartphone use (r = 0.376, p < 0.01). Frequent musculoskeletal pain symptoms related to smartphone use were observed in the neck, shoulder, lower back, and wrists. The hours of smartphone use was slightly positively associated with the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the shoulder (r = 0.162, p < 0.05) and lower back (r = 0.125, p < 0.05). The prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in the neck (χ² = 3.993, p < 0.05), shoulder (χ² = 6.465, p < 0.05), and wrist (χ² = 4.645, p < 0.05) was significantly higher among females than males. Conclusion: The results suggest that smartphone addiction should be recognized as a dual concern encompassing both physical health and psychosocial aspects. Furthermore, healthcare professionals, including physicians and physical therapists, should consider clients' smartphone usage patterns when assessing and treating with musculoskeletal pain.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.21-31
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• 2024

This study provides the underlying data on the inclusion of medical technologists in the category of medical personnel. Medical personnel are defined in the Medical Service Act as physicians, dentists, oriental medicine doctors, midwives, and nurses. In the act, medical technologists shall be classified into clinical laboratory technologists (clinical pathology technologists in the Korean language), radiological technologists, physical therapists, occupational therapists, dental technologists, and dental hygienists. Although South Korea's medical personnel do not include medical technologists, Japan and Taiwan define them as medical personnel. Various standard occupational classification such as International Standard Classification of Occupations 2008, Korean Standard Classification of Occupations 2017, Japan Standard Occupational Classification 2009, Taiwan Standard Occupational Classification 2010, and USA Standard Occupational Classification 2018 were compared. The education system for medical health technologists was explained to include 4-year university and 3-year junior college programs. The roles of medical technologists in medical practice, therapy, and medical assistance were outlined. These basic materials incorporate the need for discussions about the meaning of including medical technologists in the type of medical personnel. These discussions will contribute to the legalization of medical technologists' professionality with regard to their inclusion in the type of medical personnel.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.187-193
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• 2010

In this study we have designed and fabricated an inexpensive micro electronic system that we call Alvitek. It can indirectly but accurately predict and display the partial pressures of alveolar oxygen and carbon dioxide for the patients in the ICU of a hospital. Alvitek consists of both hardware part and software part. Performance of the system is tested by animal experiment with pigs for various $F_{t}e_{2}$ and RR(Respiratory Rate) values under the mechanical ventilation. The predicted alveolar gas partial pressures are cprpared with the approximate alveolar oxygen partial pressures easily calculated by the physician’s bedside formula. As a result, we have concluded that the relative error of A-$aDe_2$ calculated by the bedside formula grows seriously for lower $F_{t}e_{2}$ values. The present prediction method of Alvitek is henceforth believed very meaningful to the physicians. The system hardware and software are described in the text.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2008

Objectives : The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between the core properties of professional socialization and social status satisfaction, economic reward satisfaction, and subjective class identification. Methods : Medical knowledge and skill, autonomy, and professional value factors were used as essential properties of professional socialization to determine the association with job satisfaction and subjective class identification. The authors used a self-administered questionnaire survey and collected nationwide data between July and August 2003, with 211 responses used for final analysis. Results : 'Age' and 'trust and respect' were positively associated with social status satisfaction, and 'occupation' was negatively associated. 'Income' and 'trust and respect' were positively related to economic reward satisfaction, and 'practicing for oneself', and 'a sense of duty and attendance' were negatively related. 'Practicing for oneself', 'not believing explanations', and 'a sense of duty and attendance' had a positive relationship with subjective class identification. 'Income', 'knowledge system', 'medical mistakes', 'treating like goods', 'meaning and joy', and 'trust and respect' had a negative relationship. Conclusions : The core property variables of professional socialization had a different relationship with social status satisfaction, economic reward satisfaction and subjective class identification. In particular, many core property variables were associated with subjective class identification positively or negatively. The development of professional socialization would help promote job satisfaction and subjective class identification.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.1
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• pp.38-44
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• 2005

Objective : To compare the mortality rate of Korean medical doctors to that of the general Korean population for the period 1992-2002. Methods : The membership records of the Korean Medical Association were linked to the 1992-2002 death certificate data of Korea s National Statistical Office using 13-digit unique personal identification numbers. The study population consisted of 61,164 medical doctors with a follow-up period of 473,932 person-years. Standardized mortality ratios(SMRs) were calculated to compare cause-specific mortality rates of medical doctors to those of the general population. Results : We confirmed 1,150 deaths at ages from 30 to 75 years from 1 January 1992 to 31 December 2002. The SMR for all-cause of death was 0.47(95% CI : $0.44{\sim}0.50$). The SMRs for smoking-related diseases such as cerebrovascular accidents and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were smaller than the SMR of all-cause of death. However, the SMRs for colorectal and pancreatic cancers were not significantly lower than those of the general population. Transport accidents and suicides accounted for 72% (94 of 131) of external causes of death. The SMR for suicide was 0.51 (95% CI : $0.38{\sim}0.68$). Conclusions : The mortality rate of South Korean medical doctors was less than 50% that of the general population of South Korea. Cause-specific analysis showed that mortality rates in leading causes of death were lower among medical doctors although differences in mortality rates between medical doctors and the general population varied with the causes of death. These health benefits found among medical doctors may be attributable to the lower level of health damaging behaviors (e.g., lower smoking rates) and better working conditions.

• Korean Journal of Radiology
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• v.22 no.5
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• pp.840-860
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• 2021

Imaging plays a key role in the diagnosis and characterization of thyroid diseases, and the information provided by imaging studies is essential for management planning. A referral guideline for imaging studies may help physicians make reasonable decisions and minimize the number of unnecessary examinations. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) developed imaging guidelines for thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer using an adaptation process through a collaboration between the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency and the working group of KSThR, which is composed of radiologists specializing in thyroid imaging. When evidence is either insufficient or equivocal, expert opinion may supplement the available evidence for recommending imaging. Therefore, we suggest rating the appropriateness of imaging for specific clinical situations in this guideline.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.325-336
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of educational programs on the needs and satisfaction level of nursing activities related with patients receiving anti-cancer chemotherapy. The subjects, 85 cancer patients who were admitted at St. Mary's hospital, who had taken chemotherapy between January and March, 2001 were selected for the study. Of the subjects educational program was applied to 43 patients and the other 42 patients remained and the control group. Educational booklets developed by investigators were validated by a group of judges consisted of nursing professors, physicians and head nurses. Cronbach's $\alpha$ for measurement tools used in this study were 0.96 - 0.98. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Satisfaction scores for received nursing activities m the experiment group were higher than that in the control group. 2. Needs scores for nursing in the experimental group showed no significant differences compared to the control group. The two groups showed different satisfaction levels in different categories of nursing: physical. educational. therapeutic and socio-psychological, in which the therapeutic category scored the highest. 3. Due to the general characteristics. there were no variables to affect the degree of nursing need regarding the two groups. However, in satisfaction level of nursing services, there was a contrary phenomenon between the two group relating to education level (p=0.03). Patients with higher educational levels tend to be more satisfactory. The results strongly indicated that educational program is effective in increasing the satisfaction of patients receiving anti-cancer chemotherapy.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2015

Objectives: The aim of this study was to understand the characteristics of herbal-drug-associated adverse events (AEs) reported in the internet newspaper articles and to take a countermeasure against the safety issue of herbal drugs. Methods: We searched the internet newspaper articles published from 2010 to 2014 in the 3 major portal sites in Korea, NAVER, DAUM, and GOOGLE. Search terms were the Korean words equivalent of 'herbal drug' and 'side effects'. Informations on the type and characteristics of suspected herbal drugs, AEs, and the patient records were extracted from the articles reporting the herbal-drug-associated AE occurred in Korea. Results: From 8,806 articles, a total of 36 AEs were found. The most frequently reported age group was 20s, and women outnumbered men. Obesity was the most common cause of administration. Doctors of Korean medicine clinic were the most commonly referred prescribers and purchasing route (11 cases). The most frequently mentioned medicinal herb was Ephedra sinica (7 cases) and the most commonly reported AEs were abdominal pain (8 cases), dizziness (6 cases), diarrhea (5 cases), and vomiting (5 cases) were followed in order. Ten cases were judged as serious AEs, and the others were not. Conclusions: Current customers demand health care providers to offer them sufficient information on the safety of herbal drugs. To satisfy their requirements, physicians of Korean medicine should be able to explain, predict, prepare, recognize, and deal with the herbal-drug-associated AEs. We propose an establishment of pharmacovigilance system for herbal medicine, in which doctors of Korean medicine are participated as important personnel, to collect and analyze the related AEs and offer credible information on the safety of herbal drug.