• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제37권4호
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• pp.345-352
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• 2004

Objectives : Previous studies showed that death certification by physicians was an important predictor to improve the quality of death certificate data in South Korea. This study was conducted to examine the proportion of death certificates issued by physicians and associated factors in South Korea from 1990 to 2002. Methods : Data from 3,110,883 death certificates issued between 1990 and 2002, available to the public from the National Statistical Office of Korea, were used to calculate the proportion of death certificates issued by physicians and to examine associated factors with logistic regression analysis. Results : The overall proportion of death certificates issued by physicians increased from 44.6% in 1990 to 77.6% in 2002 (mean: 63.5%). However, the proportion was greatly influenced by the deceased's age. In 2002, more than 90% of the deceased aged 51 or less were certified by physicians. A higher proportion was found among deceased who had tertiary education (college or higher) living in more developed urban areas. Conclusion : The information regarding the cause of death for younger, well-educated deceased in urban areas of South Korea may show a higher level of accuracy. Epidemiologic research using information on causes of death may well benefit from the continually increasing proportion of death certificates issued by physicians in the future in South Korea.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제12권4호
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• pp.68-90
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to investigate the determinants of intent to leave among hospital physicians. A causal model of intent to leave among hospital physicians was constructed based on the exchange theory. The sample of this study consisted of 185 physicians from 8 general hospitals located in Seoul, Taegu, Kyunggi-province, and Kyungsangnam-province in Korea. Data were collected with self-administered questionnaires and analyzed using LISREL. The results of this study indicate that the following variables, listed in order of size, have significant negative effects on intent to leave among hospital physicians; job satisfaction, organizational commitment, task variety, promotional chances, task significance, and pay. Sex (female=0, male=1) was found to have significant positive effects on the intent to leave among hospital physicians. The results imply that hospital administrators should make an effort to improve job satisfaction and organizational commitment which are the key determinants of intent to leave among hospital physicians.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제35권4호
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• pp.475-487
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• 2022

Background: Use of opioids for chronic intractable pain is increasing globally, and their proper use can improve patients' quality of life. In contrast, opioid use disorders, such as abuse or addiction, caused by prescribing opioids, are a worldwide issue. This study aimed to understand current opioid prescribing patterns and pain physicians' experiences with opioid use in South Korea. Methods: Pain physicians in 42 university hospitals in South Korea were asked to complete anonymous questionnaires regarding opioid prescriptions. Results: A total of 69 surveys were completed. Most pain physicians started prescribing opioids at a pain score of 7/10 and aimed to reduce pain by 50%. Most physicians (73.1%) actively explained the prescribed medications and possible side effects, and 61.2% of physicians preferred the prescription interval of 4 weeks. Immediate-release opioids were the most popular treatment for breakthrough pain (92.6%). The most common side effect encountered by physicians was constipation (43.3%), followed by nausea/vomiting (34.3%). Of the physicians, 56.5% replied that addiction and misuse prevalences were less than 5%. However, the most concerning side effect was addiction (33.0%). Conclusions: The survey results showed that the prescribing patterns of pain physicians generally followed Korean guidelines. Physicians were most interested in the safety and effectiveness of opioid prescriptions. They were most concerned about respiratory depression and abuse or addiction. A significant number of physicians agreed that the NHIS regulations needed improvement for patient convenience and safe and effective treatment, though there were pros and cons of the NHIS restrictions on prescription conditions.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제13권3호
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• pp.71-90
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• 2003

The purpose of this study is to investigate the impacts of distributive and procedural justice on job satisfaction, professional commitment and organizational commitment among hospital physicians. The sample of this study consisted of 185 physicians from 8 general hospitals located in Metropolitan area and Youngnam area in Korea. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires with the response rate of 40.2% and analyzed using hierarchical regression technique. The results of this study showed that procedural justice had a direct impact on job satisfaction, professional commitment and organizational commitment among hospital physicians, whereas distributive justice had no significant impact. The results imply that hospital administrators should take measures to establish procedural justice to increase job satisfaction, professional commitment and organizational commitment among hospital physicians.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제38권1호
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• pp.1-8
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• 2005

Objectives : To explore the factors influencing antibiotics prescription by primary health physicians for acute upper respiratory infections(URI). Methods : We performed a survey of 370 primary health physicians randomly sampled in April, 2003. The questionnaire consisted of a prescription on the scenario of acute bronchitis case, along with opinions and reasons for prescribing antibiotics on URI. Results : We found that 54.7% of the physicians prescribed antibiotics on the example case of acute bronchitis which is known as not needing antibiotics. Female physicians and ENT physicians had a greater tendency to prescribe antibiotics. The factors influencing antibiotics prescription on URI were the belief about the effectiveness of antibiotics, preference for their own experiences rather than clinical guidelines, perception of patients' expectations, and perception of competitive environment. The prescription of antibiotics in the example case was affected by how much they usually prescribe antibiotics (OR=2.400, 95% CI=1.470-3.917) and the physicians who thought that antibiotics were helpful for their income prescribed antibiotics more than others (OR=6.773, 95% CI=1.816-25.254). Conclusion : These findings demonstrated that the false belief on the effectiveness of antibiotics, patient's expectation of medication and fast relief of symptoms, and perception of competitive environment all affected the physicians prescription of antibiotics on URI. It may help to find barriers to accommodate scientific evidence and clinical guidelines among physicians and to specify subgroups for education about appropriate prescription behaviors.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.7-15
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• 1999

목적 : 암환자에게 있어 통증은 삶의 질을 좌우하는 가장 중요한 증상이다. 현재의 통증 치료 방법 즉, 적절한 약물 치료 방사선, 마취, 신경차단 등의 방법으로 97%정도가 통증 조절이 가능함에도 불구하고, 여러 국내외 문헌에서는 암환자의 $60{\sim}70%$가 통증을 호소하고 있음을 보고하고 있다. 이에 이 연구에서는 의료진 측면에서 적절한 통증 치료의 장애가 되는 요인을 찾고, 진통제 및 암환자의 통증에 대한 잘못된 인식과 편견을 파악하여 보다 효과적인 교육프로그램을 개발하는 기초 조사를 마련하고자 한다. 방법 : 1998년 5월 1일부터 5월 31일까지 한달 동안 서울 시내에 있는 네개의 종합병원 내과에서 근무하고 있는 의사와 간호사를 대상으로 통증 관리에 대한 지식과 태도에 관한 도구를 수정한 32개 문항의 설문지를 통해 조사하였다. 설문의 내용은 통증 사정이 6문항, 진통제 투약이 5문항, 진통제 약물 작용이 8문항, 진통제 분류가 11문항, 그리고 진통제 투약 태도 2문항으로 이루어졌다. 결과 : 의사가 99명, 간호사가 152명이 참여하였으며, 전체 정답율은 의사가 71.6%, 간호사가 70.3%였다. 그러나, 그 중 진통제 분류에서는 80% 이상의 정답율을 보였으나 나머지에서는 대부분 $50{\sim}60%$정도의 정답율을 보이면서 통증 관리에 대한 낮은 지식 정도를 보여 주었다. 통증 사정에서는 간호사의 지식이 유의하게 높았으며, 진통제의 약리작용과 진통제 분류에서는 의사의 지식이 유의하게 높았다. 그러나, 전체 통증 관리에 대한 지식과 태도에 있어 의사 평균이 21.40이었으며, 간호사의 평균은 20.87로서 유의한 차이를 보이지 않았다. 결론 : 암환자 통증 관리에 대해 의료진의 지식 정도이 부족함이 나타났고, 이에 대한 적극적인 대안으로 의사와 간호사를 위한 교육프로그램 개발과 교육이 절실히 필요한데 일시적이고 일회적인 교육보다는 지속적이고 장기적이고 자동적으로 운영되는 체계가 필요하다.

• Journal of Korean Medical Science
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• 제33권49호
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• pp.327.1-327.10
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• 2018

Background: It is difficult to decide whether to inform the child of the incurable illness. We investigated attitudes of the general population and physicians toward prognosis disclosure to children and associated factors in Korea. Methods: Physicians working in one of 13 university hospitals or the National Cancer Center and members of the general public responded to the questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of the age appropriate for informing children about the prognosis and the reason why children should not be informed. This survey was conducted as part of research to identify perceptions of physicians and general public on the end-of-life care in Korea. Results: A total of 928 physicians and 1,241 members of the general public in Korea completed the questionnaire. Whereas 92.7% of physicians said that children should be informed of their incurable illness, only 50.7% of the general population agreed. Physicians were also more likely to think that younger children should know about their poor prognosis compared with the general population. Physicians who opposed incurable illness disclosure suggested that children might not understand the situation, whereas the general public was primarily concerned that disclosure would exacerbate the disease. Physicians who were women or religious were more likely to want to inform children of their poor prognosis. In the general population, gender, education, comorbidity, and caregiver experience were related to attitude toward poor prognosis disclosure to children. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that physicians and the general public in Korea differ in their perceptions about informing children of poor prognosis.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.45-49
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• 2024

Purpose: This study investigated palliative care physicians' attitudes regarding social issues related to opioid use. Methods: An email survey was sent to 674 physicians who were members of the Korean Society for Hospice and Palliative Care (KSHPC). Results: Data from 66 physicians were analyzed (response rate, 9.8%). About 70% of participants stated that their prescribing patterns were not influenced by social issues related to opioid use, and 90% of participants thought that additional regulations should be limited to non-cancer pain. Under the current circumstances, pain education for physicians is urgently needed, as well as increased awareness among the public. Half of the respondents identified the KSHPC as the primary organization responsible for providing pain education. Conclusion: Palliative care physicians' prescribing patterns were not influenced by social issues related to opioid use, and these issues also should not affect cancer pain control.

• 한국보건간호학회지
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• 제27권3호
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• pp.437-449
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• 2013

Purpose: To improve the cultural competency of nurses and physicians in Korea by disclosing their degree of prejudice toward foreigners who were major target of international medical tourists. Method: A descriptive research design was employed. Data were collected from a total of 458 nurses and physicians at general hospitals in Korea. Subjects completed questionnaires on their demographic information and prejudice toward foreigners from a cognitive, emotional, and behavioral perspective. Results: While there was a positive attitude toward Caucasian Americans and Japanese, there was a negative prejudice toward Chinese and African Americans. There was an especially high and negative prejudice from a cognitive and behavioral perspective toward Chinese. There was a significant difference in the level of prejudice according to the education level, workplace, and multi-cultural education of Korean health professionals. Conclusion: It is necessary to investigate the negative prejudice toward foreigners of specific races or countries with cautious consideration. We also recommend the development and application of strategies to improve the multi-cultural competency of Korean nurses and physicians.

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제2권2호
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• pp.179-193
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• 1992

This paper attempts to explain why the prescribing-dispensing services are not seperated in Korea. The main reason why physicians and pharmacists do not compromise, even though the two parties support the seperation policy in public, is contended to be that both parties would lose their interests if the policy were implemented. Physicians' loss from giving up their vested rights to dispensing would be larger than their gain from an increase in the number of prescriptions. Pharmacists' loww from being forced not to to sell medicines without prescriptions would also be larger than their gain from prohibiting physicians from dispensing. The net ganier form the seperation policy would be the patients. Therefore, the seperation policy would not be implemented unless political pressure from general public surpasses that from physicians and pharmacists.