• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.273-294
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• 2023

Background: Most developed countries are working to improve their universal health coverage systems. This study investigates regional disparities in unmet healthcare needs and their causes in South Korea. Additionally, it compares the unmet healthcare needs rate in South Korea with that of 33 European countries. Methods: The analysis incorporates information from 13,359 adults aged 19 or older, using data from the Korea Health Panel. The dependent variables encompass the experience of unmet healthcare needs and the three causes of occurrence: "burden of medical expenses," "time constraints," and "lack of care." The primary variable of interest is the region of residence, while control variables encompass 14 socio-demographic, health, and functional characteristics. Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, accounting for the sampling design, is conducted. Results: The rate of unmet healthcare needs in Korea is 11.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 11.0%-13.3%), which is approximately 30 times higher than that of Austria (0.4%). The causes of unmet healthcare needs, ranked in descending order, are "lack of care," "time constraints," and "burden of medical expenses." Predictive probabilities for experiencing unmet healthcare needs and each cause differ significantly between regions. For instance, the probability of experiencing unmet healthcare needs due to "lack of care" is approximately 10 times higher in Gangwon-do (13.5%; 95% CI, 13.0%-14.1%) than in Busan (1.3%; 95% CI, 1.3%-1.4%). The probability due to "burden of medical expenses" is approximately 14 times higher in Seoul (4.1%; 95% CI, 3.6%-4.6%) compared to Jeollanam-do (0.3%; 95% CI, 0.2%-0.4%). Conclusion: Amid rapid sociodemographic transitions, South Korea must make significant efforts to alleviate unmet healthcare needs and the associated regional disparities. To effectively achieve this, it is recommended that South Korea involves the National Assembly in healthcare policy-making, while maintaining a centralized financing model and delegating healthcare planning and implementation to regional authorities for their local residents-similar to the approaches of the United Kingdom and France.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.169-182
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• 2003

The present study attempts to investigate the knowledge, belief, attitude and behavior of healthcare major students and non-healthcare counterparts concerning their oral hygiene. The purpose is to provide basic data for positive oral health activities to the students with non-healthcare major, who tend to have insufficient information on oral hygiene. A survey was conducted to 400 students in K college in Incheon from May 1-30, 2003. A total of 384 surveys were analyzed using the SPSS program Version 10.0. The result is as follows: 1. There was a statistically significant difference in the knowledge on oral hygiene between the healthcare(M=3.08) and non-healthcare(M=2.78) students(pE0.05). 2. As for the beliefs and attitudes toward oral health behaviors, 56.9% of the healthcare students and 60.6% of non-health care counterparts responded "moderate" to the question asking if they liked tooth-brushing. The reason they liked tooth-brushing were cleanliness(60.3% of healthcare and 71.9% of non-healthcare students). They didn't like brushing their teeth because they felt it was a nuisance(60.6% of healthcare and 54.5% of non-healthcare students). 90.6% of healthcare students and 90.1% of their non-healthcare counterparts said they wanted to keep their oral health intact. Most of the subjects seemed to acquire information on oral hygiene through mass media(62.2% of healthcare and 55.3% of non-healthcare students). The persons who give them oral health information are their friends or neighbors(26.8% of healthcare and 22.8% of non-healthcare students), and dental hygienists were the last in the list of the sources of information(3.4% of healthcare and 2.5% of non-healthcare students). 3. Their oral health behaviors were also considered, 64.4% of the healthcare students and 53.7% of the non-healthcare counterparts brush their teeth once or twice a day, 51.4% of the former brush their teeth for 2 minutes and 44.8% of the latter for 3 minutes. Some of them use oral health measures other than tooth-brushing(13.3% of healthcare and 14.3% of non-healthcare students). Not many of them used oral health products(6.6% of healthcare and 5.9% of non-healthcare), and the difference was statistically significant(pE0.05). The largest number of healthcare students brush their teeth right before going to bed(29.9%), while their counterparts do it after breakfast(25.8%)

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.117-129
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess empathy and resilience among healthcare college students. Methods: A self-reported questionnaire was filled out by healthcare college students from August 13 to October 13, 2018. Mean and standard deviation, t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and linear regression were used to analyze the data. Results: The average score for perspective taking was 3.57(${\pm}0.48$), fantasy 3.39(${\pm}0.59$), empathic concern 3.57(${\pm}0.39$), personal distress($3.02{\pm}0.48$), and resilience $3.37{\pm}$(0.41). There was a significant positive correlation between perspective taking (r=.388, p<.001) and resilience. Factors influencing resilience were perspective taking fantasy(${\beta}=.219$, p<.001), empathic concern(${\beta}=.207$, p=.004), and personal distress(${\beta}=-.303$, p<.001). Conclusion: More studies are needed to develop the empathy improvement program for healthcare college students.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.676-682
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• 2008

In this study a guideline of the 3D-fit pattern for the ECG(electrocardiogram) measurement of elderly's u-healthcare clothes was proposed. In the screening test of the ECG measurement band, ECG peak band was observable at the band pressure of 0.20 kPa. By employing a 3D body image, tight-fit 3D patterns were made at two different reduction rates of 21%(pattern 1) and 33%(pattern 2), and corresponding pressure of both of the clothes were 0.25 kPa and 0.54 kPa, respectively. Typical waves of ECG were found in both stationary and moving position. In terms of the subjective evaluation of the u-healthcare clothes when worn, it was confirmed that reduction pattern 1(0.25 kPa) conveyed comfortable clothing pressure and pleasantness, which is very close to the result of screening test of ECG band experiment. As results, it is recommended that reduction rate should be adjusted, so that clothing pressure is about 0.2 kPa for the elderly's comfortable and efficient u-healthcare clothes.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.355-365
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• 2019

Objectives: In rural areas of Korea, where public transportation infrastructure is lacking and alternative systems are poor, the elderly experience inconveniences in using healthcare, although their need is high. This study aimed to analyze the association between the convenience of transportation and unmet healthcare needs among the rural elderly. Methods: The data used were collected in the 2016 Community Health Survey among rural elderly individuals aged 65 or older. Dependent variable was the unmet healthcare needs, explanatory variable was the convenience of transportation. The elderly were divided into 3 groups: with no driver in the household, with a driver, and the elderly individual was the driver (the self-driving group). Covariates were classified into predisposing, enabling, and need factors. They included gender, age, education, income, economic activity, household type, motor ability, subjective health level, number of chronic diseases, anxiety/depression, and pain/discomfort. The data were analyzed using logistic regression and stratification. Results: A significant association was found between the convenience of transportation and unmet healthcare needs. When examined unadjusted odds ratio of the group with a driver in the household, using the group with no driver as a reference, was 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.54 to 0.68), while that of the self-driving group was 0.34 (95% CI, 0.30 to 0.38). The odds ratios adjusted for all factors were 0.69 (95% CI, 0.59 to 0.80) and 0.79 (95% CI, 0.67 to 0.91). Conclusions: We confirmed a significant association between inconvenient transportation and unmet healthcare needs among the rural elderly even after adjustment for existing known factors. This implies that policies aimed at improving healthcare accessibility must consider the means of transportation available.

• The Korean Journal of Health Service Management
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.33-49
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• 2015

Objectives : This study was conducted to measure the effects of healthcare accreditation (HA) on the changes in infection control (IC). Methods : Questionnaires were e-mailed to 60 hospitals from 23 October to 23 December, 2011. Data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0. Results : Finally 50 hospitals (83.0%) were enrolled in the study: Seoul area (40.0%), tertiary (76.0%), and >500 beds (98.0%). Nine hospitals (18.0%) had a full time infection control nurse[ICN] with 300 beds. Among various factors, ICN (36.0%), hospital facilities (66.0%), instruments (32.0%) and supplies (88.0%) all improved. Hand hygiene increased (53.1% vs 83.2%, p<.001), but it was continued only in 34.1% of hospitals. Healthcare-associated infection (68.4%), multi drug resistant organisms (42.1%) and outbreaks (26.3%) decreased. Reasons for difficulties in satisfying the HA standards were inadequate support which included hospital facilities, instruments, budget, and a shortage of ICNs and healthcare workers (HCWs). Conclusions : HA had effects on the IC, but they were transient. Staffing in ICN and HCW staffing, hospital facilities, instruments, and supplies all need to be improved.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.153-158
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• 2011

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate whether anti-M$\ddot{u}$llerian hormone (AMH) levels could be predict ovarian poor/hyper response and IVF cycle outcome. Methods: Between May 2010 and January 2011, serum AMH levels were evaluated with retrospective analysis. Three hundred seventy infertile women undergoing 461 IVF cycles between the ages of 20 and 42 were studied. We defined the poor response as the number of oocytes retrieved was equal or less than 3, and the hyper response as more than 25 oocytes retrieved. Serum AMH was measured by commercial enzymelinked immunoassay. Results: The number of oocytes retrieved was more correlated with the serum AMH level (r=0.781, $p$ <0.01) than serum FSH (r=-0.412, $p$ <0.01). The cut-off value of serum AMH levels for poor response was 1.05 ng/mL (receiver operating characteristic [ROC] curves/area under the curve [AUC], $ROC_{AUC}$=0.85, sensitivity 74%, specificity 87%). Hyper response cut-off value was 3.55 ng/mL $ROC_{AUC}$=0.91, sensitivity 94%, specificity 81%). When the study group was divided according to the serum AMH levels (low: <1.05 ng/mL, middle: 1.05 ng/mL - 3.55 ng/mL, high: >3.55 ng/mL), the groups showed no statistical differences in mature oocyte rates (71.6% vs. 76.5% vs. 74.8%) or fertilization rates (76.9% vs. 76.6% vs. 73.8%), but showed significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates (21.7% vs. 24.1% vs. 40.8%, $p$=0.017). Conclusion: The serum AMH level can be used to predict the number of oocytes retrieved in patients, distinguishing poor and high responders.

• Radiation Oncology Journal
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2015

Purpose: We analyzed outcomes of patients with prostate cancer undergoing either radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) +/- salvage radiation or definitive radiation therapy (RT) +/- androgen deprivation. Materials and Methods: From 2003-2010 there were 251 patients who underwent RRP and 469 patients who received RT (${\geq}7,560cGy$) for prostate cancer. Kaplan-Meier analysis was performed with the log-rank test to compare biochemical control (bCR), distant metastatic-free survival (DMPFS), and prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) between the two groups. Results: The median follow-up was 70 months and 61.3% of the men were African American. For low risk disease the 6-year bCR were 90.3% for RT and 85.6% for RRP (p = 0.23) and the 6-year post-salvage bCR were 90.3% vs. 90.9%, respectively (p = 0.84). For intermediate risk disease the 6-year bCR were 82.6% for RT and 59.7% for RRP (p < 0.001) and 82.6% vs. 74.0%, respectively, after including those salvaged with RT (p = 0.06). For high risk disease, the 6-year bCR were 67.4% for RT and 41.3% for RRP (p < 0.001) and after including those salvaged with RT was 67.4% vs. 43.1%, respectively (p < 0.001). However, there were no significant differences between the two groups in regards to DMPFS or PCSS. Conclusion: Treatment approaches utilizing RRP +/- salvage radiation or RT +/- androgen deprivation yielded equivalent DMPFS and PCSS outcomes. Biochemical control rates, using their respective definitions, appeared equivalent or better in those who received treatment with RT.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.112-127
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to develop performance indicators for quality of public health center based home healthcare through the study the major factors of registrated weaken poorly residents in the community based home healthcare. Various literature review was conducted to study the performance indicators for quality of public health center based home healthcare of advanced countries and Korea. Mail survey was conducted from national wide PHC(public health centers), sub health centers and primary health care posts. of the surveys mailed, 2,293 centers(67%) were returned within the allotted and we included in the analysis these who completed the questionnaire. Data was analysed by SPSS for windows 12.0. The major results of the research were as follows; Firstly, major factors of registrated weaken poorly residents in the community based home healthcare in the multivariate analysis were jurisdictional families per manpower(OR:0.78, 95%CI:0.64-0.94, P=0.011), weaken poorly families per manpower(OR:0.42, 95%CI:0.35-0.50, P<0.001), business vehicles per manpower(OR:1.13, 95%CI:1.04-1.24, P=0.007) type of public health center(OR:4.42, 95%CI:3.32-5.90, P<0.001), region of public health center(OR:0.53, 95%CI:0.32-0.89, P=0.017). Secondly, performance indicators for quality of public health center based home healthcare were developed as basic investigation, registration, intervention and discharge level. Preparing for Activation of public health center based home healthcare in Korea, the result application as follows is possible. Firstly, we can conclude that the major factors of registrated weaken poorly residents in the community based home healthcare are jurisdictional families per manpower, weaken poorly families per manpower, type of public health center, region of public health center, business vehicles per manpower. Secondly, the new developed performance indicators which are divided into basic investigation, registration, intervention, discharge for public health center based home healthcare could be applied it for improving quality of home healthcare services.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.135-140
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• 2013

Objective: To evaluate correlations between serum anti-M${\ddot{u}}$llerian hormone (AMH) levels, phenotypes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), obesity, and metabolic parameters in patients with PCOS. Methods: A total of 175 patients with PCOS were diagnosed according to the Rotterdam Consensus were included. Exclusion criteria were age over 40, FSH>25 mIU/mL, and 17a-OHP>1.5 ng/mL. The Phenotypes of PCOS were divided into a severe form (oligo-anovulation, ANOV/hyperandrogenism/polycystic ovary morphology [PCOM]; n=59) and a mild form without HA (ANOV/PCOM, n=105). The serum AMH levels were classified into 3 groups (<5 vs. 5-10 vs. >10 ng/mL). Obesity was defined as body mass index (BMI) ${\geq}25kg/m^2$ (n=34). Results: The mean age was $25.9{\pm}5.7$ year and mean AMH level was $10.1{\pm}5.4$ ng/mL. The BMI ($kg/m^2$) was higher in group 1 ($24.2{\pm}6.3$) than in group 2 ($21.9{\pm}4.3$, p=0.046) or group 3 ($21.6{\pm}3.3$, p=0.019). There was no difference among the three groups in age, menstrual interval, antral follicle counts, androgens, or other metabolic parameters. The obesity group showed significantly lower AMH ($7.7{\pm}3.9$ ng/mL vs. $10.7{\pm}5.6$ ng/mL), p=0.004) and low-density lipoprotein levels ($93.1{\pm}21.2$ mg/dL vs. $107.5{\pm}39.3$ mg/dL, p=0.031), and showed higher total T ($0.74{\pm}0.59$ L vs. $0.47{\pm}0.36$ ng/mL, p=0.001), free T ($2.01{\pm}1.9$ vs. $1.04{\pm}0.8$ pg/mL, p=0.0001), and free androgen index ($6.2{\pm}7.9$ vs. $3.5{\pm}3.0$, p=0.003). After controlling for age factors and BMI, the serum AMH levles did not show any significant correlations with other hormonal or metabolic parmeters. Conclusion: For PCOS patients under the age 40, serum AMH is not negatively correlated with age. High serum AMH levels can not predict the phenotype of PCOS and metabolic disturbances in PCOS patients in the non-obese group. Further study might be needed to define the relation more clearly.