• Imaging Science in Dentistry
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.283-288
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• 2024

Purpose: Given the growing use of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans, this study assessed radiation exposure from these scans in the context of national guidelines and recommended dose limits. Materials and Methods: The current literature was reviewed to quantify the benefit of opportunistic diagnosis of carotid artery calcification relative to the potential risk of radiation-induced cancer. Results: The average radiation from CBCT at its largest field of view and highest resolution possible amounts to a reasonable but still low ionizing radiation exposure. This exposure is comparable to 22 days of background radiation and is notably lower than the radiation exposure from medical CT scans. According to the risk assessment analysis, the risk of stroke events involving internal and external carotid artery calcification (CAC) was 202 and 67 per 100,000 individuals, respectively. In contrast, the estimated risk of radiation-induced cancer associated with CBCT was notably lower, at 0.6 per 100,000. Conclusion: The present study advocates for a comprehensive assessment of CBCT scans encompassing the areas of the internal and external carotid arteries by a knowledgeable professional, given the potential advantages of early detection of vascular abnormalities. Dental professionals who take scans involving these areas need to be mindful of reporting these findings and refer patients to their primary care physician for further investigation.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.2691-2703
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• 2015

This research aims to provide basic materials for assisting DNR patient cares by understanding ICU nurses' awareness and ethical attitude regarding DNR. A total of 154 results were analyzed which were collected from Aug. 1st to Sep. 5th in 2014 by surveying nurses working in ICU (from 1 advanced general hospital in G metropolitan city and other general hospitals of more than 700 beds in Cheolla provinces). (1) For the decision attitudes of DNR, there were both consent and objection. Consent for the patient's opinion of rejecting further treatment and life extension despite of bad prognosis. And objection for no conducting DNR in the case of the patient's wish, treatment requested by the guardian, and CPR for the patient who has no chance. (2) Objection for artificial respirator and other treatment requested by the patient's family and the entrance of guardians into ICU. Consent for the passive use of artificial respirator by the doctor and the decrease of basic care to stabilize patients physically and mentally. No specific opinion for treatment not following aseptic techniques. Objection for frequent reports to primary care physician requested by the family. (3) Acknowledging less interest by the doctor, while supporting the health care team in the case of the guardian's complaint, objection for the DNR decision mede by the primary care physician. Objection for the DNR decision by the guideline. Objection or neutrality for straightforward explanation to the patient of bad prognosis. Objection for straightforward explanation of the patient's status (even near to death) to the patient him/herself or the guardian. In conclusion, the subject of DNR is the patient and the patient's opinion should be fully reflected. The conflict arising from the scope of medical practice and decision processes should be minimized. The standard and guideline for DNR decision is required for the ethical decision making for the patient along with agreements based on full explanations.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.22 no.4 s.28
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• pp.542-554
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• 1989

The skyrocketing inflation of medical costs has become a major health problem among most developed countries. Korea, which recently covered the entire population with National Health Insurance, is facing the same problem. The proportion of health expenditure to GNP has increased from 3% to 4.8% during the last decade. This was remarkable, if we consider the rapid economic growth during that time. A few policy analysts began to raise cost containment as an agenda, after recognizing the importance of medical cost inflation. In order to Prepare an appropriate alternative for the agenda, it is necessary to find out reasons for the cost inflation. Then, we should focus on the reasons which are controllable, and those whose control are socially desirable. This study is designed to articulate the theory of medical cost inflation through literature reviews, to find out reasons for cost inflation, by analyzing aggregated data with a deterministic model. Finally to identify determinants of changes in both medical demand and service intensity which are major reasons for cost inflation. The reasons for cost inflation are classified into cost push inflation and demand pull inflation, The former consists of increases in price and intensity of services, while the latter is made of consumer derived demand and supplier induced demand. We used a time series (1983-1987), and cross sectional (over regions) data of health insurance. The deterministic model reveals, that an increase in service intensity is a major cause of inflation in the case of inpatient care, while, more utilization, is a primary attribute in the case of physician visits. Multiple regression analysis shows that an increase in hospital beds is a leading explanatory variable for the increase in hospital care. It also reveals, that an introduction of a deductible clause, an increase in hospital beds and degree of urbanization, are statistically significant variables explaining physician visits. The results are consistent with the existing theory, The magnitude of service intensity is influenced by the level of co-payment, the proportion of old age and an increase in co-payment. In short, an increase in co-payment reduced the utilization, but it induced more intensities or services. We can conclude that the strict fee regulation or increase in the level of co-payment can not be an effective measure for cost containment under the fee for service system. Because the provider can react against the regulation by inducing more services.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.122-128
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• 2008

Roughly one third of medical problems in children are related to the musculoskeletal system. Most of these problems are common and can be precisely diagnosed. For these problems, nonoperative treatment or reassurance can be given by the pediatrician. Occasionally, a problem needs surgical treatment, but a precise diagnosis must be made. There is little agreement about what types of orthopedic problems a primary care pediatrician should understand in order to effectively care for children. Many pediatric residencies lack an organized teaching curriculum that effectively covers these topics or that includes a required pediatric orthopedic rotation. In this article the authors delineate pediatric orthopedic problems that require recognition and urgent surgical treatment and are relatively common, but have different treatment options (observation, conservative treatment, and surgery) depending on their natural history. Whenever possible, the diagnosis should be made before a decision to refer is made. An accurate diagnosis allows the pediatrician to discuss the natural history of the condition properly. Referral to the wrong specialty can needlessly generate expensive tests and further delay in treatment or generate inappropriate treatment. The parents can be reassured rather than waiting to hear the same information from another physician. In particular, orthopedic problems are known to generate pressure from the parents to seek specialty consultation for reassurance. It is important to communicate to the specialist that the reason for the referral is for parental reassurance rather than for further work-up or treatment. After a proper diagnosis, communication directly between the pediatrician and the appropriate specialist can often avoid an unnecessary referral, and avoid unnecessary tests. The authors reviewed our experience at our outpatient clinic over last 1 year and found that it is useful to classify conditions as common or uncommon, and whether they require surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Many conditions fall in between. The following is a discussion of some of these more important or common conditions.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2017

This study was identify the awareness and ethical attitudes of DNR in nursing college students and use it as basic data to help patients with DNR. The results of the questionnaire were collected from June 1, 2016 to July 10, 2016 and analyzed using SPSS 23.0 program. As a result of the analysis, the recognition of DNR was in favor of the necessity of DNR, the decision of DNR by patient and family will, and the need for documented guidelines. Ethical attitudes favored decisions made by the patient's will, range of treatment, explanation, and guidance, and opposed decisions made by the primary care physician and reduced provision of basic care. Ethical attitudes according to general characteristics were significantly different according to grade, clinical practice experience, educational experience on ethical values, educational experience on DNR, satisfaction with life, and values for death. Based on the results of this study, more follow - up studies are needed to establish the criteria for DNR.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.11-21
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• 2014

The rapid development and distribution of information communication industry facilitates the changes of hospital administration, introducing EMR(Electronic Medical Record) instead of paper-based medical record in the medical field. The developed countries such as U.S. have established EMR system after in the middle of 1970s because the primary advantages of EMR is to store and handle vast amounts of records efficiently and increase the quality of health care. Most of health organizations in Korea also apply medical record system to their administration. As the result, they have accomplished a scientific administration system through the use of medical record to handle a variety of patient's information including patient's confidentiality and privacy such as family history, social status, income level, and so on. However, access to and the misuse of EMR causes illegal infringement of patient's information and finally it becomes a very serious medical issue. Potential leakage and misuse of records may seriously infringe patient's privacy rights. In this respect, the related agencies in the public and private sector have been making efforts to prevent patient's records leakages. Especially, the revision bill of Medical Law in 2002 establishes the ways on the security and standards of electronic records. However, it does not provide the proper guidelines which is applied to the rapid changes of the medical environment. One of the most priorities in the hospital administration is the production and maintenance of an accurate medical records fulfilled by medical recorders. Therefore, it is very important for health care providers to hire ethical-based medical recorders. But, unfortunately most of hospitals overlook the importance of their roles. All parts including government, physician and patient must have more concerns on the problems related to EMR. Therefore, this study aims to propose the proper ways to resolve the problems coming from EMR.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.55-70
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the influencing factors of the patient leaning phenomenon in tertiary hospitals. Based on the results of this study, we intended to find implications for improving the problems of the delivery system imbalance in tertiary hospitals caused by patient leaning phenomenon. Methodology/Approach: Qualitative studies were conducted, using focus group interviews and in-depth interviews. The focus group interviews were conducted for 12 users of tertiary hospitals by 2 groups. And in-depth interviews were conducted for 6 tertiary hospital managers. This was considered to be the most effective approach to gather diverse and in-depth information about the influencing factor of patient leaning phenomenon in tertiary hospitals. Findings: In focus group interviews, the reason for choosing tertiary hospitals was the reliability of the hospital(physician, reputation, etc.). And the effect of the policy to strengthen coverage of National Health Insurance and private medical insurance was relatively small. In other words, we found that the individual's desire to receive medical services suitable for one's health status and disease condition was the biggest factor, rather than the cost and policy factors. Practical Implications: We suggested that the appropriate medical care provision should be strengthened according to the role and function of medical institutions. In addition, the education system needs to be reorganized to activate the referral program, expand community medical capabilities, and foster quality primary medical care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.71-85
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• 2000

Social support was found to have buffering effects on the stress response of stroke patients. Especially, the aspects of social support found to be most influential were support from a close, personal source, and overall satisfaction with support. The purpose of this study was to identify the current social network and its characteristics according to gender difference in post-hospitalized stroke patients in Korea. The sample consisted of a convenience sample of 254 patients was recruited 129 men and 125 women who were receiving follow-up care at outpatients clinics. Four aspects of social support-source, quantity, qualify & type- were measured using the modified Social Support Inventory for Stroke Survivors(SSISS) which was developed by McColl & Friedland(1989). Regarding sources of social support, 61.4% reported for 'spouse' as primary caregiver and 31.9%, 'children'. But the distribution of sources of personal support were related to gender; 82.2% of male patients had support from their spouses, while only 40% of female patients reported from 'spouse' but 51.4% from 'children'. Among the children, daughters and sons were more significant support persons than daughters-in-law. The percentages for sources of these significant other support persons were 55.5% for 'children', 8.7% for 'spouse', and 8.3% for 'brothers'. The physician at the outpatient department was the main source of professional support. For the quantify and qualify of social support, the primary caregiver's support was more significant than support by significant other persons. Male patients reported that primary the caregiver' support was greater than that of significant other persons, while female patients perceived significant other persons as giving greater support. Regarding the type of perceived social support, the stroke patients were highly satisfied with the primary caregiver's support in aspects of instrumental, emotional, and informational support. They also reported high satisfaction with support from significant others' support in the aspect of emotional support, while emotional and informational support from professionals was reported as satisfactory. In conclusion, gender difference in the social support network was found in that male patients perceived more support from their spouses, while female patients perceived more support from their children as compared to their spouses.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.97-119
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• 1991

Korea has made a rapid economic development since the last three decades. This has helped Korea narrow the gap in health service differences in resource availability and in quality of care. However urban and rural differentials are still remarkable. This study has maintained that health status of rural residents is inferior to that of urban dwellers. Therefore, this study was carried out to develop policy measures for improving health services in rural areas. In order to achieve the objective of this study the authors collaborated closely and made field visits, interviews and conducted an extensive literature review regarding rural health services. The following policy options are recommended as a summary ; First, the quality of rural health personnel is a single most important factor influencing the level of rural health services. An innovative program for public health doctors to the internship and/or residency training program such as specialty board program of family medicine. Second, dissatisfaction regarding employment of public health doctors is problematic. More rational employment and deployment programs are needed to meet their personal desire. One way to do this is to make it wide open and competitive. Third this study shows how to increase physician productivity in the rural public health sector. Incentive system needs to be elaborated for the career development of rural health workers. University linked job opportunity as clinical professor is an example. Fourth, without straightening the function of health centers and subcenters, the future of rural health services is doomed to failure. Straightening primary health care is one way to enrich the program of public health facilities and reactivating the operation of health center/hospital is another. A close linkage of public facilities with private hospitals is a minimum requirement for the operation of health delivery system within a health district. Fifth, some measures are urgently required to enhance hospital services in medically underserved areas. Financial subsidy, tax exemption, long-term public loans and higher priority of health manpower deployment are some of them. Sixth, new health programs should be in tiated to meet changing needs of peoples in rural areas. Home health care program, hospice program, nursing home, residential program for the elderly are recommended.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.177-184
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• 2013

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the patterns of care and treatment outcomes in patients with primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) in a single institution. Materials and Methods: Medical records of 29 patients with PTL treated between April 1994 and February 2012 were retrospectively reviewed. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy (n = 17) or thyroidectomy (n = 12). Treatment modality and outcome were analyzed according to lymphoma grade. Results: The median follow-up was 43.2 months (range, 3.8 to 220.8 months). The median age at diagnosis was 57 years (range, 21 to 83 years) and 24 (82.8%) patients were female. Twenty-five (86.2%) patients had PTL with stage IEA and IIEA. There were 8 (27.6%) patients with mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and the remaining patients had high-grade lymphoma. Patients were treated with surgery (n = 2), chemotherapy (n = 7), radiotherapy (n = 3) alone, or a combination of these methods (n = 17). Treatment modalities evolved over time and a combination of modalities was preferred, especially for the treatment of high-grade lymphoma in recent years. There was no death or relapse among MALT lymphoma patients. Among high-grade lymphoma patients, 5-year overall survival (OS) and 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) were 75.6% and 73.9%, respectively. Complete remission after initial treatment was the only significant prognostic factor for OS (p = 0.037) and PFS (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Patients with PTL showed a favorable outcome, especially with MALT lymphoma. Radiotherapy alone for MALT lymphoma and chemotherapy followed by radiotherapy for high-grade lymphoma can be effective treatment options for PTL.