• Health Policy and Management
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.116-135
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• 1991

Few studies have been conducted on the detailed routes of medical care utilization under the National Health Insurance. This study was undertaken to identify the utilization patte군 of health care facilities among industrial workers and their dependents. One of the largest health insurance association was purposively chosen for this objective. The association had 345, 757 members as of 31 December, 1990. The study sample of 297, 948 subjects have been drawn from the membership pool on the basis of their continuous membership status during 1 January through 31 December 1990. This study has tried to identify differential utilization patterns between acute and chronic conditions, and among standard income classes. All the diagnoses were recoded in a manner to achieve the objective of this study. As for acute diseases, most age group had used one medical facility as much as by 60% except the age group of 1-4, This young age group had used over three different health facilities as much as by 10.9-15.8%. The finding suggests that some policy measures by sought for remedying the excessive/inappropriate use of services. In addition, mid-income classes(between 17 and 48) were more likely to use multiple sources of care than lower income classes(between 1 and 16) and upper income classes(above 49). This study has revealed that chronic cases are more likely to pursue multiple sources of care, however those with chronic conditions tend to use single health facility more than those with acute conditions(67.9% versus 52.4%). As many as 12.2% have visited more than three health facilities in chronic conditions, but 5.9% for acute conditions. The most likely source of care was primary clinics for both acute and chronic conditions. Compared with the role of general hospital, small-size hospitals found to play a minimal role in the care and referral of patients. This indicates the need of strengthening the function of small-size hospitals. While a minor cross utilization of western medicine and pharmacy was noted, no significant boundary crossing was identified between western medicine and oriental medicine, or between pharmacy and oriental medicine. It is too early to confirm that whether there is substitutability or cross utilization among these alternative sources of care. A further study is needed to identify these relationship.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.147-158
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• 2006

The purpose of this paper is to review the empirical study results of conversion factors(unit prices) for relative values of health care services in the national health insurance system and establish optimal classification of health care institutions for feasible contract of conversion factors between National Health Insurance Corporation(NHIC) and provider groups, based on legal backgrounds and types of health care service delivery system. some empirical research evidences shows the validity of applying multiple conversion factors to annual contract for reimbursement in the national health insurance. Policy recommendations suggest that clinic, hospital, general hospital, tertiary hospital, dental clinic, oriental medical clinic, pharmacy, and public health centers would be a basic category of provider groups for a meaningful price contract between the NHIC and providers.

• The Journal of Korean Medical History
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.57-62
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• 2011

With the discovery of WooJam JabJeo, Jang-Taegyung[1809~1887] was highlighted as a noted doctor who won fame in the neighborhood of Gwangju, but with 'WoodJam Mango' seeing the light of day, this study was able to confirm the appearance of a literary man enjoying a reputation enough to sway literary circles with his writing of poems. It's possible to confirm his past related to medical service only until age of 42, which is because description in "WooJam JabJeo" came to a halt there. The situation is that the contents of 'WooJam Mango' started from age of 46 and were carried on even until after his death by his followers. Therefore, there exists a very intense impression that he might have put a focus on the life as a literary man ever after his mid-40s. and considering that he breathed his last at the age of 79, it's not difficult for us to estimate that his life was predominantly a series of literary activities rather than a health care provider. The place names appearing in "WooJam JabJeo" and "WooJam Mango" are limited to today's Jeonlanam-do, and this researcher would say that the through-composed poems, which sang of the beauty of Gwangju area scenery are the works, deserve to get a spotlight in local history even today. Through the above discussion, this study could prove that WooJam is a flawless figure enough to represent Gwangju and Jeonlanam-do as a health care provider and a literary person as well.

• Journal of Oriental Neuropsychiatry
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.47-58
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• 2019

Objectives: To conduct and report the results of a public health promotion program in Korean medicine (KM), namely the KM Visiting Care Service for Solitary Elderly, from November 2018 to April 2019. Methods: Six elderly people living in a rural area received the KM visiting care service, twice a week, for four months. This service consisted of acupuncture, auriculotherapy, and supportive counseling to manage their musculoskeletal pain, cognitive impairment, and/or depression. The changes of symptoms were assessed using Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), Korean version of Mini-Mental State Examination for Dementia Screening (MMSE-DS), Korean version of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-K), and Geriatric Depression Scale-Short form Korean (GDS-SF-K). Results: Through the 4-months KM visiting care service, the overall subjects' NRS-rated pain decreased slightly. Most showed improvement in MMSE-DS and/or MoCA-K, except one subject who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease. Depression assessed by GDS-SF-K showed improvement in a few subjects who were unable to walk independently. Satisfaction assessed through survey was generally high in all subjects. Conclusions: This KM Visiting Care Service for Solitary Elderly may help improve the pain and cognitive function of frail solitary elderly in rural areas. However, the protocol need to be improved to optimize the effect.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.55-77
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• 1999

Oriental Medical Service established foundation that Oriental medical clinic can take part in industrial health service by being specified industrial calamity medical treatment organ, but research which develope program that Oriental Medical Service approach on the occupational disease and industrial health only dealt in the Western Medical System was insufficient. So we studied on theoretical foundation and basic bearing about .program of oriental medical health examination in the workplace, it is based on explanation and assessment reformed by western medicine. We reached the conclusion as follows, 1. We must reconsider the concept that mind of Oriental medicine is preventive medicine, and assess positively result of social medicine. 2. Importance of industrial health is being enlarged in the category of health care. 3. Western medical health in including industrial health have faced much problems at this time, we can search by alternative proposal grafting on Oriental Medicine. 4. Oriental medical participation in the industrial health have various benefits at side satisfaction of workers, effect of prevention, efficiency of cost, and increasing rate of medical treatment and return to workplace of workers with industrial calamity. 5. We must consider Oriental Medical Health Examination as one way of health management program of workers, not as formality. 6. The advantage of Oriental Medical Health Examination can increase ability of individual health management in preventive medicine and the production in workers' health management.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.327-342
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• 2012

Objectives : Nowadays, the assessment of new health technologies is gaining interest as an important issue for the safety of national health in the rapidly changing medical environment. The aim of this study is to understand how ignorant the korean medicine doctors are of new health technologies. Methods : The authors conducted a survey on the status of the ignorance of new health technologies in Korean medical doctors by e-mail. Results : Korean medical doctors' ignorance of new health technologies proved serious. The awareness of the law, however, was reached to some degree. The respondents answered that the present items of Korean Medicine listed in the medical care expenses by national health insurance system are too deficient to treat their patients effectively. Conclusions : It is strongly needed to try for more active registration of Korean medical new health technologies.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.131-144
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• 2010

Purpose: There has not been decisional consensus in the concepts and the ways of postpartum cares between Western and non-Western cultures though the importance of postpartum period has been emphasized by the multitude of health professionals. In this study, we investigated the differences in recognition concerning postpartum care among Koreans, Korean residents in America, and Americans (hereafter, K, KA, A). Methods: We used questionnaire of women who had given birth from last 6 weeks to less than 13 years. The women consisted of three groups;104 K, 44 KA, and 44 A. Results: In the perception survey concerning postpartum care, every three group thought that postpartum care was important. However, there were differences in understanding how it would affect women's health, and what they did in the period. K significantly agreed with the content and the importance of postpartum care. The investigation concerning seven categories of postpartum care showed that K group performed the 6 categories except consuming medication beneficial for the postpartum care. KA group performed in a low rate and A group performed two categories in a significantly low rate two categories; avoiding cold stimulation and keeping the body warm. Conclusion: Based on this study, it should be suggested that there were common points and differences among the recognition concerning postnatal care in three groups. Therefore, health professionals make efforts in understanding diversities on postnatal care and providing the adequate services reflecting each mother's needs and recognition.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.85-108
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• 2012

One of the ways to achieve the principle of equal access for equal needs, availability and geographical accessibility of health care resources regardless of resident sites is important. The purpose of this paper is to measure socioeconomic inequities in distribution of health care resources among regions in the Republic of Korea (hereafter Korea). Data were extracted from regional statistics of National Health Insurance, Community Health Survey, Korea Social Science Data Archive, and Korean Statistical Information Services at the same period of 2009. The dependent variables were the number of health workforce and health care facilities in each region. The proxy indicator of regional socioeconomic status was local tax per person. To identify whether inequalities among regions, we examined the concentration index(CI) and indirectly standardized CI by controlling each region's demographics and need factors. Total observations were 232 districts in nationwide, and we analyzed separately Seoul(25 districts) and non-Seoul areas(207 districts). The standardized CI values of health care resources were positive(favoring the rich region) across the nation in almost all kinds of resources. Especially the number of specialist, dentist, dental clinics, clinics, oriental medical clinics, pharmacists, and pharmacies were statistically significantly favoring the rich region. But the CI for the number of long-term care hospitals, public health centers were negative(favoring the poor region). The tendency of CI presenting positive values were increased in Seoul area. But in the case of non-Seoul, the CI indexes were nearly zero. The results suggest that except the Seoul area, little regional socioeconomic-related inequalities were observed in the distribution of health care resources in Korea.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to provide data to guide dementia health-care policy in Korea and to establish the position of Korean medical specialists in long-term care hospitals by analyzing the data of dementia inpatients. We analyzed the actual condition of dementia patients in care hospital and the effect of Western-Korean cooperative medicine on the progress of dementia. Methods : From January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2016, inpatients who were diagnosed with dementia at Mungyeong municipal long-term care hospital and admitted for more than 3 months were enrolled. Their medical records and simple tests were analyzed retrospectively. Results : We examined the detailed diagnosis, including both main and sub diagnosis, and Alzheimer disease dementia, at 97%, was the most common. At the time of admission, Korean Version of the Mini-Mental State Exam (K-MMSE) analysis showed that severe dementia affected 52%, and most were rated as Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) 6. Based on the admission date, the results of a simplified test applied to the dementia patients every 6 months showed an maintain in the K-MMSE and GDS scores in 83%. Conclusion : The results of this study show that the rate of progression of dementia is somewhat lower in inpatients with moderate to severe Alzheimer's who have received Western-Korean cooperative treatment. However, due to institutional limitations, long-term inpatients such as those with dementia do not receive active traditional Korean medical treatment; hence, it is necessary to improve the national institution of traditional Korean medicine in long-term care hospitals.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.1001-1010
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• 1999

This study was undertaken to investigate the causal perceptions and health seeking behaviors of Rheumatoid arthritis patients, define and understand the typology, and find the relationship between causal perceptions and health seeking behavioral types. There were six types(Physical Fatigue, Dispensation of Nature, Causality to Environment, Conscience of Guilty, Rationally perceiving, Psychological Stress) of subjective opinion about Causal Perceptions of Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. And there were four types(Oriental medical Treatment, Information Seeking, Dietary Control. Western Medical Treatment) of subjective opinion about Health Seeking Behaviors. In the relationship between types of the causal perceptions and health seeking behaviors, oriental medical treatment and information seeking type were common health seeking behaviors of all six causal perception types. Only difference for internal causal perception types was related to hospital instructions and external causal perception types were related to dietary control. The result of this study can help health care providers, especially nurses to understand the types of causal perceptions and health seeking behaviors of Rheumatoid arthritis patients to gain treatment compliance from patients according to their causal perceptions of the illness, and use it to develop educational nursing intervention to aid health care.