• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.91-116
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• 2010

As Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a new and rare illness, medical cause for it has not yet been clearly found out. Nevertheless, the patients continue to file lawsuits for damage compensation against wrongdoers or their insurers, claiming that the cause of the illness is certain actions of the wrongdoers. Moreover, the claim amount reaches to hundreds of millions of won through billions of won unlike other illnesses. Therefore, CRPS has become an important legal issue in the damage compensation lawsuit. Even though the wound is slight, the development and result may be serious in the case of CRPS. As a result, a sharp conflict arises even regarding medical diagnosis of CRPS in the lawsuit. And, even if the medical diagnosis of CRPS is admitted, severe debates occurs with regard to many issues, which include the causation between accident and CRPS in connection with establishment of damage compensation liability and scope of liability like anamnesis, determination standard of aftereffect disability, and scope of admitted aftereffect medical expense in connection with scope of damage compensation. In this study, I will review fundamental medical research on CRPS up to now and discuss principal legal issues in the damage compensation lawsuit focusing on lower court rulings.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.138-145
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• 1996

The behaviors associated with illness are different depend upon individuals even if Patients complaints same symptoms and have same disease. Understanding the patterns of those behaviors become one of the important elements in determining the diagnostic and treatment approaches and treatment compliance. The sick role plays a essencial part in abnormal illness behavior. The characteristics of abnormal illness behavior ran be applied to many parts in medicine. In case of the various kinds of functional disorders whose organic foundations are obscure and in applying the cognitive therapy, rehabilitation program and occupational therapy, the assessment and evaluation of the abnormal illness behvior is known to be beneficial. For improving the comprehensive psychiatric treatments which could be applied to the Koreans more effectively in patients with somatoform disorders and other various kinds of neurotic disorders further researches especially on the medico-historical and socio-cultural aspects of the illness behavior should be followed. And understanding the abnormal illness behavior would be helpful in enhancing the medical cost effectiveness.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.198-204
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• 2009

Objectives : Schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorder are associated with an increased risk of premature death. For decades, there have been reports of shorter life expectancy among those with severe mental illness. The purpose of this study was to compare the risk of mortality among institutionalized population, treated for severe mental illness to control group who did not have severe mental illness. Methods : The medical records and the death certificates of 2,029 institutionalized population who had died from 1985 to 2003 in Kkottongnae were investigated. Results : The mean age of the death of severe mental illness(SMI) group(51.4${\pm}$15.3 years old) was lower than that of non-severe mental illness(non-SMI) group(65.0${\pm}$19.3 years old) and it was statistically significant(p<0.0001). The most causes of death among the SMI group were respiratory diseases(23.3%), infectious disease (13.0%) and digestive disease(12.3%). Also, we found that the death due to injuries of the SMI group(8.9%) were three times higher than that of non-SMI group(2.5%). The most causes of death among the non-SMI group were respiratory disease(26.3%), circulatory disease(26.2%) and neoplasm(10.8%). Conclusion : The SMI group demonstrated higher mortality rates compared with the rate in the non-SMI group. The finding suggests that careful intervention is needed not only for menal health but also physical health in long-term facilities.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.164-176
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• 1998

This study deals with the current medical utilization for migrant workers and the characteristics of them. The purpose of this study is to provide the basic information to establish proper medical policy. For the study self-made questionnaire was used, which was answered by 453 migrant workers working in the area of manufacturing and non-technical work in 10 cities like Seoul, Inchon, Namyangju, Sungnam, Kwangju, Pyungchon, Kunpo, Kimpo, Masuk in Kyungki-do and Chunan in Chungchungnam-do. Besides, 303 medical records of those who had visited free medical check-up center were analyzed. The period of accumulating data is 6 months, from November 1st, 1996 to April 30th, 1997. The characteristics of migrant workers and current medical utilization are analyzed by percentage and the relation between characteristics and current medical utilization were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. The finding of this study was as follows : 1) The number of nationality was 16. The first majority was Philippians as 32.0%. Among 16 nationalities Southeastern and Northern Asians were 48.9%, Southwestern Asian was 46.5%, the rest was 7.3%. Men were 81.0%, those who are aged from 26 to 30 were 39.0%, Graduatee from high school 92.7%, Christians 56.3%, unmarried 55.4% and salary from 600,000 Won to 800,000 Won 53.8% averaging monthly payment 669,810 Won. As for their residence, those who resided over 3 years were 31.9% and the illegal residence reached 77.4%. As for Korean language, those who speak in middle level were 5.6%. 2) As for kind of work and circumstances, manufacturing was 81.1%, 4 off-days per month 72.2% and 9-10 working hours per day 42.1%. As for accommodation, residence in fabric was 62.6% and one or two members as roommate 40.2%. 3) The characteristics of health behavior showed that 89.4% of migrant workers had 3 meals, 70.9% of them did not drink alcohol, 73.5% of them did not smoke. 4) As a characteristic of health status, 71.8% of them perceived of their health. 76.1% thought that they had no illness before coming Korea. Among them who recognized their illness, those who had problem in circulatory system was 35.3%, respiratory system ENT 19.1% and nervous system 19.1%.66.2% of those having illness had already had sickness when coming to Korea. 5) During last one month, 79.2% of them were known as ones having no illness. Among the sick, those who had problem in circulatory system was 31.6%, nervous system 23.7% and respiratory system 21.1%. 60.3% of the sick were not cured at that time. 6) Sorting the symptom of those who visited free medical check up, dental care was 24.2%, orthopedic 14.0% and digestive system 13.8%. Teethache was 34.4%, stomach problem 11.6%, upper respiratory inflammation 10.2% and back pain 5.9%. Averagely they visited free medical check up 1-2 times. According to symptom, epilepsy 25.5 times, heart and vascular disease 9 times, constipation 2.8%, neurosis 2.38 times and stomach problem 2.34 times. 7) The most frequently visited medical service by migrant workers was hospital. The most mentioned reason was good healing as 36.3%. The medical service satisfied migrant workers mostly was hospital as 64.3%. The reason of satisfaction was also good healing as 45.9%. 8) 77.2% of respondents did not spend money for medical check. Average monthly medical cost was 25,100 Won, 3.7% of income. Those who had no medical security was 73.4%. In their case, 67.7% got discount from hospital or support from working place and religious organization. 9) As for the difference of medical utilization according for the characteristics of migrant workers, legal workers and no-Korean speaker used hospital more frequently. 10) Those who were satisfied most of all with the service of hospital were female workers, hinduists and buddhists, legal workers or manufacture workers. 11) Christians, those who have 3 meals or recognize themselves as healthy ones mostly had no illness. As a result, the most of migrant workers in Korea are from Asia. They are good educated but are working in manufacturing and illegal. Their average income is under 700,000 Won which in not enough for medical cost. They have no medical security and medical fee is supported by religious organization or discounted. Considering these facts the medical policy by government is to be established.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.18-26
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to explore the late schooler's health concept and health behavior. The research was a descriptive method using a self-report questionaire which include semi open-ended questions. the subjects were 458 late schooler's from 4 to 6 grade. The results were as follows : 1. Perceived health concepts were ‘having no illness’ ‘having normal physical feature and strength’ ‘eating food well’ ‘take exercise’ ‘having a bright mind’ ‘having good interpersonal relationships’‘having strong will’ ‘recovering well’. 2. Perceived health behaviors to maintain health were ‘taking proper exercise’ ‘eating proper food’ ‘maintaining cleanliness’ ‘taking sufficient rest and sleep’ ‘having a vigor life and positive thought’ ‘having good interterpersonal relationships’ ‘receiving health check and immunization’. 3. Health behaviors carried out at present were ‘taking proper exercise’ ‘eating proper food’ ‘having a vigor life and positive thought’ ‘receiving health check an immunization’ ‘taking supplementary drugs’ ‘having a regular life’ ‘maintaining cleanliness’ ‘maintaining warmth’. 4. Perceived causes of illness were ‘taking inproper food’ ‘uncleanliness’ ‘insufficient warmth or environment’ ‘lack of exercise or overexertion’ ‘irregular life habits’ ‘contact with germs’ ‘mental stress’. 5. Perceived treatments of illness were ‘having sufficient rest and sleep’ ‘mental relaxation’ ‘eating food’ ‘ maintinging cleanliness’ ‘ maintaining warmth’ ‘taking supplementary drug’ ‘receiving medical treatment’.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.185-190
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the first or second malignancy among women worldwide. Illness perception (IP) and quality of life (QoL) are major issues considering breast cancer management. An attempt was here made to inspect the predictive variables influencing IP and their impact on QoL in cancer patients. The key predictors adapted from previous studies including life satisfaction, perceived social support, self-esteem, hope, optimism, and spiritual well being were taken into account. Our sample included 200 female volunteers suffering from breast cancer applying exclusion criteria. The data were collected using various questionnaires and statistically analyzed by means of path analysis and structural equation modeling. The results revealed that of the six predictors, spiritual well being and social support had direct effects on QoL and IP. The only path with significant indirect correlation with IP was social support. Spiritual well being had the second significant direct effect on IP. Self-esteem occupied the third rank in direct effects on both QoL and IP. In conclusion, here in Iran and most likely in other strongly religious communities, spiritual intervention is an effective strategy to raise QoL. Also social support helps women suffering from breast cancer to experience better conception and coping strategies.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.169-176
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• 2015

This review has focused on important but less visible aspects of fibromyalgia (FM) with respect to the high impact of this disorder on patients and societies. FM is a common but challengeable illness. It is characterized by chronic widespread pain, which can be accompanied by other symptoms including fatigue, sleep disturbances, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety and depressive episodes. While our understanding of this debilitating disorder is limited, diagnosis and treatment of this condition is very difficult, even in the hands of experts. Due to the nature of disease, where patients experience invalidation by medical services, their families and societies regarding the recognition and management of disease, direct, indirect and immeasurable costs are considerable. These clinical and economic costs are comparable with other common diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and osteoarthritis, but the latter usually receives much more attention from healthcare and non-healthcare resources. Present alarming data shows the grave and "iceberg-like" burden of FM despite the benign appearance of this disorder and highlights the urgent need both for greater awareness of the disease among medical services and societies, as well as for more research focused on easily used diagnostic methods and target specific treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.20 no.2 s.22
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• pp.287-300
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• 1987

Island regions suffer from a shortage of health care in part because they are less developed, they cover a widespread area relative to the population, and due to transportation barriers. The purpose of this study was to assess the level of illness and the magnitude of medical care utilization, and to investigate the determinants of utilization in these area. The data were collected by means of a household survey conducted from February 16 to 25, 1987 on S islands which were selected in consideration of the size of the population, the distance from the main land, and the distribution of health care facilities. The household response rate was 89.1% (491 of 551 households), and 1971 persons were surveyed. The major findings of this study are as follows: 1) The morbidity rate of the island inhabitants was 27.7% during the two weeks, and 25.5 chronic illnesses and 9.1 acute illnesses per 100 persons, were noted. Differences in the magnitude of illness were statistically significant by sex, age, education, and family size. 2) The magnitude of total ambulatory carl utilization was 16.8 visits per 100 persons during the two weeks, which was less than that of other regions; and differences in the magnitude of total ambulatory care were statistically significant by sex, age, education, occupation, and family size. 3) Unmet needs were classified as 56.0% in chronic illnesses and 19.6% in acute illnesses; and differences in unmet needs were statistically significant by sex, age, education, occupation, income, and family size. 4) Statistically significant determinants in medical care utilization included the frequency of acute illness and chronic illness, and income in total utilization; the frequency of chronic illness and acute illness, and medical care insurance in physician visits. 5) According to the results of the path analysis, need factors had the greatest effect on utilization, and predisposing factors had more indirect effects through enabling or need factors than direct effects.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.58-76
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• 1994

In order to study factors affecting the use of the ambulatory physician services. Andersen's model for health utilization was modified by adding the health behavior component and examined with three different approaches. Three different approaches were the multiople regression model, logistic regression model, and LISREL model. For multiple regression, dependent variable was reported illness-related visits to a physician during past one year and independent variables are variaous variables measuring predisposing factor, enabling factor, need factor and health behavior. For the logistic regression, dependent variable was visit or no-visit to a physician during past one year and independent variables were same as the multiple regression analysis. For the LISREL, five endogenous variables of health utiliztion, predisposing factor, enabling factor, need factor, and health behavior and 20 exogeneous variables which measures five endogenous variables were used. According to the multiple regression analysis, chronic illness, health status, perceived health status of the need factor; residence, sex, age, marital status, education of the predisposing factor ; health insurance, usual source for medical care of enabling factor were the siginificant exploratory variables for the health utilization. Out of the logistic regression analysis, health status, chronic illness, residence, marital status, education, drinking, use of health aid were found to be significant exploratory variables. From LISREL, need factor affect utilization most following by predisposing factor, enabling factor and health behavior. For LISREL model, age, education, and residence for predisposing factor; health status, chronic illess, and perceived health status for need factor; medical insurance for enabling factor; and doing any kind of health behavior for the health behavior were found as the significant observed variables for each theoretical variables.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers D
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• v.54 no.3
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• pp.206-214
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• 2005

In these days the virtual reality technology has been applied to treat such an anxiety disorders. And also a medical doctor can diagnose the patient in distance with the telemedicine system. In this thesis, an telemedicine assistant system for treatment of acrophobia using biomedical signals and virtual reality technique is proposed. I made two virtual reality simulations for treatment of acrophobia and telemedicine system for communication between doctor and patient using personal computer. Multimedia conference service, online questionary, signal transfer system are needed to configure such system. Virtual reality simulation system that composed of position sensor, head mount display, and audio system, is also included in this telemedicine system. I added virtual environment update system to this virtual reality telemedicine system for treatment of acrophobia. With this virtual environment update system, the doctors can change virtual reality simulation stage based on the status of each patient and symptom of phobia. We will apply this system to the acrophobia patient in distance and be able to offer better medical treatment for mental illness in near future.