• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.170-175
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• 2018

Purpose: Lactose intolerance (LI) is perceived to be frequent in Asia and has been reported to have considerable impact on dietary intake, nutritional status and the quality of life. We aimed to gather information from healthcare professionals on the perceived incidence, diagnosis and management of LI in 1 to 5 year old children in Southeast Asia. Methods: An anonymous electronic survey was sent randomly among healthcare professionals registered in the database of the pediatric societies in Thailand, Indonesia, and Singapore between June and October 2016. Results: In total, 259 health care professionals responded of which 45.5% (n=118) were from Thailand, 37.4% (n=97) from Indonesia and 16.9% (n=44) from Singapore. Of the participants who responded (n=248), primary LI prevalence among children 1 to 3 years of age was estimated to be less than 5% by 56.8%. However, about 18.9% (n=47) answered they did not know/unsure. Regarding secondary LI, 61.6% of respondents (n=153) estimated the prevalence to be less than 15%. But again, 10.8% (n=27) answered they did not know or unsure. Rotavirus gastroenteritis was ranked as the top cause for secondary LI. There was considerable heterogeneity in the diagnostic methods used. The majority of respondents (75%) recommended lactose-free milk to manage primary and secondary LI. Conclusion: More education/training of pediatricians on this topic and further epidemiological studies using a more systematic approach are required.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.230-236
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• 2023

Background: The globalization of the healthcare industry and the increasing demand for skilled professionals in the global healthcare industry have opened up opportunities for specialized biotech healthcare professionals to seek overseas employment and career advancement. Objects: This study aimed to develop educational content essential for the overseas employment of digital bio-health professionals. Methods: A survey was conducted among 196 participants. Google Forms (Google) were utilized to create and administer the survey, employing purposive sampling, a non-probability sampling method. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS 25.0 (IBM Co.), including Cronbach's α and independent sample t-tests to assess significant differences. Results: About half of college students are interested in overseas employment and international careers, while the other half had not. The most common reason for wanting to work or go overseas was "foreign experience will be useful for future activities in Korea." Students who had experience taking courses from the Bio-health Convergence Open Sharing University preferred overseas programs more than those who did not have that experience. In terms of the degree of desire for overseas education courses provided by universities, contents related to human health were the highest, followed by bio-health big data. Conclusion: Many students wanted to work and go overseas if there is sufficient support from the university. The findings in this study suggest that universities are necessary to play an important role in supporting students' aspirations to work or go overseas by providing language education, education and training programs, information on overseas jobs, and mentoring programs.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2022

Purpose : This study aimed to understand and describe the experiences of collaborative practice among health professionals in Korea. Methods : Data were collected through individual in-depth interviews conducted from January to March 2021 with 10 health professionals in Korea. All interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim. The transcribed data then underwent qualitative content analysis. Results : Through content analysis, 10 categories and 3 themes were formed. Three themes, "working based on knowledge," "having difficulty in building collaborative relationships," and "playing complementary roles" emerged. Conclusion : The limitation is that the study participants are 10 health professionals in Korea working at healthcare institutions. However, this study is of great significance in that it provided basic data for preparing measures for collaborative practice among health professionals in Korea.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.261-269
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• 2023

We propose to design a Holochain-based security and privacy protection system for resource-constrained IoT healthcare systems. Through analysis and performance evaluation, the proposed system confirmed that these characteristics operate effectively in the IoT healthcare environment. The system proposed in this paper consists of four main layers aimed at secure collection, transmission, storage, and processing of important medical data in IoT healthcare environments. The first PERCEPTION layer consists of various IoT devices, such as wearable devices, sensors, and other medical devices. These devices collect patient health data and pass it on to the network layer. The second network connectivity layer assigns an IP address to the collected data and ensures that the data is transmitted reliably over the network. Transmission takes place via standardized protocols, which ensures data reliability and availability. The third distributed cloud layer is a distributed data storage based on Holochain that stores important medical information collected from resource-limited IoT devices. This layer manages data integrity and access control, and allows users to share data securely. Finally, the fourth application layer provides useful information and services to end users, patients and healthcare professionals. The structuring and presentation of data and interaction between applications are managed at this layer. This structure aims to provide security, privacy, and resource efficiency suitable for IoT healthcare systems, in contrast to traditional centralized or blockchain-based systems. We design and propose a Holochain-based security and privacy protection system through a better IoT healthcare system.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.12-31
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• 2015

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to develop the qualification system for training of Quality improvement professionals who work for improving patients' safety and healthcare quality. Methods : Based on the various laws and regulations, and the operational status of other professionals' qualification systems, a basic plan of professional qualification system of QI was drawn. And through meetings with QI experts, the final scheme of the concrete qualification system was developed. Results : For management of professionals's certification or qualification, fairness and reliability are important. To do this, setting the official standard, providing a standardized training program and having appropriate qualification test are required. In order to operate the qualification system strategically, 1) the introduction step, 2) dissemination and expansion step, and 3) fusing step should be considered. As a governing body for QI specialists' qualification, 'QI professionals' qualification Center (tentative)' must have the committee to assure fairness, professionalism, and reliability. In addition, 'QI Experts Certification Department (tentative)" to develop standards for the qualification tests and conduct the tests program,' QI experts Education Department (tentative name)" must be able to operate and maintain the QI training for professional qualifications. QI professional qualification exam must be taken by everyone regardless of age, gender, race, occupation, education, and work experience. The examination should include management, leadership, strategic planning and design, quality management, health care information, patient safety culture. Practical training courses can have three step programs; beginning, intermediate and special level. Conclusion : The QI qualification system need strategic approaches for the experts working for healthcare quality improvement and patient safety. It should include the program of standardized contents and test, and operating protocol of the qualificaton system.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.187-197
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• 2023

Today's world is experiencing rapid technological advancement like never before. The ever-changing technology space has overwhelmed citizens with a substantial load of information, which has made it difficult for them to keep up with the technology awareness. This review paper is written to provide information about the Internet of Things in a way that technical along with nontechnical individuals can understand the definition, historical evolution, components, and scope of IoT technology. Relevant literature published between January 2009 and February 2023 was included in this paper. The applications of the Internet of Things in healthcare have been a special focus of this paper as IoT has massive potential in this field and healthcare professionals often face significant issues in keeping their technology knowledge up to date. Moreover, some of the most common issues associated with IoT introduction in healthcare are also discussed in the paper along with some suitable recommendations. Although, IoT can significantly transform our lives and can introduce convenience and efficiency, particularly in the healthcare sector. However, its adoption in healthcare is still a major task due to various challenges presented by the health workforce. Thus, in-depth empirical research is suggested to assist the IoT technology transition.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.7-14
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to examine the trends in healthcare architecture research by analyzing papers published in KIHA (Journal of the Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture) and HERD (Health Environments Research and Design Journal) in the USA. The analysis categorizes these papers into Evidence-Based Design (EBD) and non-EBD research from a comparative perspective. Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted on 370 papers published in KIHA and 399 papers published in HERD from 2007 to 2022. The research trends were analyzed based on the researchers' fields of study, research focus, and research attributes. Results: The findings indicate that HERD involves researchers from 43 different fields, whereas KIHA involves researchers from 16 fields, indicating less diversity. HERD predominantly includes interdisciplinary and empirical studies, while KIHA primarily features theoretical and single-discipline studies. Papers in HERD generally demonstrate a higher level of evidence compared to those in KIHA. Implications: Direct comparisons should be approached with caution due to the differing contexts of healthcare architecture research in the two countries. The methodological efforts in HERD and the functional analysis results in KIHA provide valuable references for the future direction of healthcare architecture research. Expanding collaborative and interdisciplinary research involving various professionals is essential to advance the field.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2024

This article underscores the importance of integrating comprehensive palliative care for noncancer patients who are undergoing hemodialysis, with an emphasis on the aging populations in Asian nations such as Taiwan, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and China. As the global demographic landscape shifts towards an aging society and healthcare continues to advance, a marked increase has been observed in patients undergoing hemodialysis who require palliative care. This necessitates an immediate paradigm shift to incorporate this care, addressing the intricate physical, psychosocial, and spiritual challenges faced by these individuals and their families. Numerous challenges impede the provision of effective palliative care, including difficulties in prognosis, delayed referrals, cultural misconceptions, lack of clinician confidence, and insufficient collaboration among healthcare professionals. The article proposes potential solutions, such as targeted training for clinicians, the use of telemedicine to facilitate shared decision-making, and the introduction of time-limited trials for dialysis to overcome these obstacles. The integration of palliative care into routine renal treatment and the promotion of transparent communication among healthcare professionals represent key strategies to enhance the quality of life and end-of-life care for people on hemodialysis. By embracing innovative strategies and fostering collaboration, healthcare providers can deliver more patient-centered, holistic care that meets the complex needs of seriously ill patients within an aging population undergoing hemodialysis.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.1-12
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• 2010

Objectives: This study was to understand the essence and the meanings of smoking experience in female undergraduate students. Methods: Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used. Data were collected by in-depth interviews with six undergraduate female students. Field notes, recording under the subjects' agreement, and telephone interview were also used. Results: In the analysis, 131 significant statements, 15 themes, 7 categories emerged. The seven categories were as follows; 'the first smoking for change and adaptation', 'becoming a part of self', 'good friend without any reason', 'a bond with friends', 'gazing with bad eyes', 'unexpected guest without realizing it', 'willingness to smoke more'. Conclusion: The results of this study will help professionals to understand the smoking behavior of female undergraduate students. We should consider positive experience toward smoking in young women for considering to plan smoking cessation program.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.263-271
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• 2018

Health technology assessment (HTA) is defined as multidisciplinary policy analysis to look into the medical, economic, social, and ethical implications of the development, distribution, and use of health technology. Following the recent changes in the social environment, there are increasing needs to improve Korea's healthcare environment by, inter alia, assessing health technologies in an organized, timely manner in accordance with the government's strategies to ensure that citizens' medical expenses are kept at a stable level. Dedicated to HTA and research, the National Evidence-based Healthcare Collaborating Agency (NECA) analyzes and provides grounds on the clinical safety, efficacy, and economic feasibility of health technologies. HTA offers the most suitable grounds for decision making not only by healthcare professionals but also by policy makers and citizens as seen in a case in 2009 where research revealed that glucosamine lacked preventive and treatment effects for osteoarthritis and glucosamine was subsequently excluded from the National Health Insurance's benefit list to stop the insurance scheme from suffering financial losses and citizens from paying unnecessary medical expenses. For the development of HTA in Korea, the NECA will continue exerting itself to accomplish its mission of providing policy support by health technology reassessment, promoting the establishment and use of big data and HTA platforms for public interest, and developing a new value-based HTA system.