• IE interfaces
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.177-185
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• 2007

e-Business in healthcare sector has been called e-Health, which is evolving into u-Health with advances of ubiquitous technologies. Seamless information sharing among health organizations is being discussed in many nations including USA, UK, Australia and Korea. Efforts for establishing the electronic health record (EHR) system and a nation-wide information sharing environment are called NHII (National Health Information Infrastructure) initiatives. With the advent of u-Health and progress of health information systems, information security issues in healthcare sector have become a very significant problem. In this paper, we analyze several issues on health information security occurring in u-Health environment and develop an information security standard for protecting health information. It is expected that the standard proposed in this work could be established as a national standard after sufficient reviews by information security experts, stakeholders in healthcare sector, and health professionals. Health organizations can establish comprehensive information security systems and protect health information more effectively using the standard. The result of this paper also contributes to relieving worries about privacy and security of individually identifiable health information brought by NHII implementation and u-Health systems.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.63-72
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to introduce the concept of academic medicine to the medical societies of Korea and to identify any potential obstacles in the establishment of academic medicine in Korea. The core concepts of academic medicine include medical education, research, and patient care. Academic medicine can be practiced in the unique area of healthcare involving medical schools and teaching hospitals by faculty physicians in the academic medicine field. Through academic medicine, the next generation of healthcare professionals is trained, new discoveries can be made, and patients can find new hope for a cure. The flourishing of academic medicine has resulted in substantial advancements in medicine over the past few centuries, but at the turn of the 21st century, there was concern that academic medicine was on the decline. To address this concern, the International Campaign to Revitalize Academic Medicine was established and announced five scenarios to 2025 to debate the future of academic medicine. Although the system resembles that of Western medical societies, Korean medical societies were not familiar with academic medicine, and poor conditions caused by the distorted healthcare system in Korea have actually interfered with the nurturing of academic medicine. One of the main problems may include less interest in medical education and research relative to clinical practice by medical societies and the government. Collaborative efforts from both medical societies and the government are needed to establish academic medicine successfully in Korea for a better future.

• Journal of Information Technology Services
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.39-54
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• 2024

This study explores the barriers to using health and medical data in research and development (R&D) within the healthcare industry and suggests ways to enhance data utilization. As artificial intelligence technology drives transformative changes across industries, there is an increased demand for robust health and medical data, highlighting its critical economic value and utility in fostering innovation. Using qualitative analysis through Grounded Theory, the study involves ten R&D professionals from healthcare industry, including both medical centers and corporations, using surveys and in-depth interviews to gather diverse experiences and perspectives on the challenges and opportunities in health and medical data use. Key findings point to legislative, regulatory, and data quality and integration issues, as well as complexities in patient data access and usage. Technological limitations and inadequate data governance frameworks also emerge as significant obstacles. Recommendations focus on improving regulatory frameworks, enhancing data standardization and quality, and fostering stronger partnerships between data custodians and users. The study concludes that overcoming these obstacles requires a comprehensive strategy involving legislative changes, improved technological infrastructure, and increased stakeholder collaboration. Implementing these recommendations could greatly enhance health and medical data utilization in R&D, significantly advancing medical science and patient care services.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.109-119
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• 2014

In accordance with the government's plan to expand the national health insurance (NHI) coverage for severe diseases such as cancer, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and rare and incurable disease, the diagnostic ultrasound services have been covered by NHI from October 1, 2013. The quality is very important factor in providing diagnostic services because they influence on the diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of diseases. In particular, equipments and health care providers plays an important role in providing qualitative services. The purpose of this paper is to examine the major feature of ultrasound services covered by health security system and to review quality assurance policies in other countries such as Australia, Japan, the USA, and Canada. In addition, we assessed the implication of those policies. We especially put emphasis on the types and qualifications of healthcare professionals and measures to manage equipments. All countries have reviewed on policies to promote the quality such as educational requirements of professionals or restrictions on the duration of equipment usage. Various measures should be implemented to assure the qualitative ultrasound service.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.307-322
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• 2015

In most democratic countries, influential professional interest groups often become a part of the iron triangle in the policy making process. One of the typical methods by which professional interest groups participate in policy making process may be by having interest group members in the national assembly, who are sympathetic to the group, implementing policies through legislation. In this study we found that from the Constitutional National Assembly through the 18th National Assembly, 147 members of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea have been ex health care professionals. The research analyzed the roles of these members in health care law amendments as requested by the professional organizations. This study analyzed 11 major cases that involved nullification or amendment of legislations in favor of the healthcare profession, against the basic policies of the government. The study showed that in the 11 major cases, policies were amended in the direction intended by the National Assembly members and other organizations with similar interests, which was against the policy stance of the government. However, these cases did not unilaterally imply that the National Assembly has been captured by the interest groups through the legislators with health care professional background; rather, they should be perceived to be influenced by the exhibited loss of governability by the government in respect to healthcare policy decisions, loss of initiative due to lack of controllability, and reversals and inconsistencies of the policies.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.41 no.5
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• pp.397-403
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• 2018

Mobile X-ray generators are used not in the radiation area but in open space, which causes the exposure of secondary radiation to the healthcare professionals, patients, guardians, etc., regardless of their intentions. This study aimed to investigate the shielding effect of the developed radiation restrictor to block the secondary radiation scattered during the use of mobile X-ray generator. Upon setting the condition of mobile X-ray generator with chest AP, spatial doses were measured by the existence of human equivalent phantom and radiation restrictor, and measured by the existences of phantom and radiation restrictor at the same length of 100 cm. Measurements were taken at intervals of 10 cm every $30^{\circ}$ from $-90^{\circ}$ (head direction) to $+90^{\circ}$ (body direction). Upon the study results, spatial doses in all direction were increased by 45% on average when using phantom in the same condition, however, they were decreased by 64% on average when using the developed radiation restrictor. The dose at 100 cm from the center of X-ray was $3.0{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ without phantom and was increased by 40% with $4.2{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$ after phantom usage. The dose when using phantom and the developed radiation restrictor was $1.4{\pm}0.08{\mu}Gy$, which was decreased by 66% compared to the case without using them. Therefore, it is considered the scattered radiation can be shielded at 100-150 cm, the regulation of the distance between beds, effectively with the developed radiation restrictor when using mobile X-ray generators, which can lower the radiation exposure to the people nearby including healthcare professionals and patients.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.81-89
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• 2018

Purpose: We aimed to assess the mediating effect of fatigue on the relationship between pregnancy stress and depression during the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: We surveyed 161 pregnant women at a hospital in Gyeonggi province in Korea from October to November, 2017. Data were analyzed by the SPSS WIN 22.0 program. Results: The mean scores of pregnancy stress, fatigue and depression were $2.09{\pm}.87$ with a range of 1~4, $2.31{\pm}0.84$ with a range of 1~4 and $0.85{\pm}0.81$ with a range of 0~3, respectively. Pregnancy stress was positively correlated with fatigue (r=.60, p<.001) and depression (r=.59, p<.001) and fatigue was positively correlated with depression (r=.48, p<.001). The mediating effect of fatigue on the relationship between pregnancy stress and depression (${\beta}=.21$, p=.010) was found. Conclusion: We found the mediating effect of fatigue on the relationship between pregnancy stress and depression. Thus, healthcare professionals should assess the pregnant woman's negative emotions in the early stage and facilitate their positive transition utilizing the assesment findings. For example, a development of interventions considering physical and psychological aspects for decreasing fatigue may improve the pregnant women's well-being during pregnancy and childbirth. In conclusion, the healthcare professionals should understand the potential problems during pregnancy and strive to enhance the positive process of pregnancy and growth of the baby.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.226-237
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• 2020

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases rises around the world, regions affected by the virus are taking serious measures to contain its spread. Face shields are one of the highest-need personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond traditional face masks, as known cases of the coronavirus soar, currently there is a significant shortage of face shields around the world. In response, the protective face shields were designed and fabricated with open-source 3D modelling software and 3D printing technology, respectively. Our face shield consisted of two parts only; a reusable 3D printed headband and a visor made of transparent plastic sheet, as barrier. The resulting 3D printed face shields are affordable, lightweight, one-size-fits-most and ready-to-wear with minimal assemblies, and go on easily over glass, goggle and face mask. To ensure being donated to the healthcare professionals without risk infected by any pathogens, the 3D printed face shields were successfully be disinfected with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI dosage of 1000 mJ/cm²) and 70% alcohol. For routine disinfection a UVGI chamber was designed and optimized to provide uniform UV-C illumination with an appreciated fluence for complete decontamination. More than 1,000 face shields were produced already and donated to the special hospitals for COVID-19 patients, quarantines, government and medical agencies in Ethiopia as well as in East-African countries. With certainty, our intention goes beyond the hospitals and other first responders, but not limited for all those who have to stay in the service or be in contact with many other people in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2018.05a
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• pp.690-692
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• 2018

Recently, university hospitals have problems as patient datas grows. And it is difficult that medical staffs check patients living on their prescription. Patients don't often remember their prescription, and don't know how to apply the prescription to their life. To solve these problems, To solve these problems, it is customized healthcare service platform using MQTT push notification. It is provided in form of a web application having good accessibility that. Based on doctor's prescription, the patients take notifications that is the timing of medication, medical appointments, and other prescription informations. The results can be entered into the web application. The healthcare professionals can check that the patients are following their prescription well. In this paper, we provide the above functions via the web application and a RESTful API server platform, and notification function can be efficiently performed by MQTT Broker. So we checked the customized healthcare service can be effectively provide.

• Journal of radiological science and technology
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.281-288
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• 2020

This study was intented as an investigation of the employment process into UAE for Korean and overseas sonographers to understand requirements for working abroad in regards to primary education curriculum and employment expansion abroad. A total of 10 candidates are selected who were working together with a job title of a cardiac sonographer in the same department under one hospital in Abu Dhabi, UAE. The candidates had clinical experience over 2 years in other countries after graduation and for 1 year at least in UAE. Data was collected through in-depth interviews, a web search and literature reviews. We analyzed the process regarding their curriculums studying in colleges, educational courses and certificates related medical fields. The findings were created with four essential themes: first, there are specific colleges or diploma courses corresponding academic major in United states, Portugal, Turkey, India and Pakistan. Secondly, healthcare professions were systemized by certifying as a specialist relevant medical fields. Thirdly, it is mandatory to be employed in UAE that are clinical experience for 2 years at least after graduation of specific courses. Lastly, It is required to work in UAE that is a license of healthcare authority under each state by taking a national examination or transferring own certificates to a current license in UAE. In conclusion, the results indicate that employing process for healthcare professionals depends on the educational requirements or clinical experience accumulated due to the various systems to be certified in each country. We believe that this study suggests experimental information for Korean job seekers considering working abroad in the medical ultrasound fields.