• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.345-352
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• 2020

This study conducted a survey targeting 414 medical institution workers to identify the impacts of their emotional labor and the recognition level of medical service fee reduction influencing the reduction rate. The results were as follows. First, a review of the difference in the reduction rate by socio-demographic characteristics revealed that in both inpatient and outpatient reduction rate, there is a significant difference in the occupational description, working history at the current hospital, and the numbers of approved beds. Second, there is a correlation between emotional labor, the recognition level of medical service fee reduction, and the reduction rate. As a result of the analysis, there is a significant positive correlation between emotional labor and outpatient reduction rate, a significant negative correlation between the recognition level of medical service fee reduction and inpatient reduction rate, and a significant negative correlation between the recognition level of medical service fee reduction and outpatient reduction rate. Third, emotional labor has a significant positive effect on the inpatient reduction rate, and the recognition level of the medical service fee reduction has a negative effect on the inpatient reduction rate. The emotional labor also has a significant positive effect on outpatient reduction rate, and the recognition level of the medical service fee reduction has a significant negative effect on outpatient reduction rate.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.609-621
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• 2020

This study identified the impacts of organizational commitment on medical service reduction rates by lifestyles of medical institution workers with a medium of environmental factors in a medical institution, and it conducted a survey targeting 300 medical institution workers in Jeolla-do, South Korea. The results are as follows. First, there was a significant difference in an organizational commitment by sociodemographic characteristics based on age, academic career, gender, marital status, occupational description, monthly earnings, the years of employment, and the type of hospital. Second, there was a significant difference in environmental factors by sociodemographic characteristics based on marital status, the years of employment, and the type of hospital. Third, there was a significant difference in the inpatient reduction rate based on the occupational description, years of employment, and the type of hospital. In the outpatient reduction rate, a significant difference was shown based on age, marital status, occupational description, the years of employment, and the type of hospital. Fourth, when analyzing the relationship between organizational commitment, environmental factors, and the reduction rate, there was a significant positive correlation between inpatient reduction rate and outpatient reduction rate. Fifth, when analyzing the impacts on the inpatient reduction rate by deploying organizational commitment and environmental factors at the same time, it was shown that the environmental factors mediated partially in organizational commitment and inpatient reduction rate. In the case of outpatient reduction rate, it was shown that the environmental factors mediated completely in organizational commitment and outpatient reduction rate. The present study is aimed to contribute to providing the baseline data for an efficient operational plan and effective workforce management of medical institutions.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.10 no.11
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• pp.493-502
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• 2012

This study aimed to determine the management and environmental factors affecting medical expense reduction. For analysis, medical expenses were divided into hospitalization expenses and outpatient treatment expenses, and the rate of medical expense reduction was classified into initial and final reduction rates. Data were collected through a direct survey among 205 directors of independent health insurance review departments of hospital-level medical institutions in Korea. The results of the study are discussed below: In the analysis, differences in the initial and final reduction rates of hospitalization expenses and outpatient treatment expenses were compared. The results showed that, in hospitalization expenses, the initial and final reduction rates were both significantly affected by the following management factors: number of beds, number of departments, number of personnel reviewing health insurance cases, and total number of employees. Further, in outpatient treatment expenses, the initial and final reduction rates were both affected significantly by the following management factors: management of medical records, number of beds, number of departments, number of personnel reviewing health insurance, and total number of employees. The management factors significantly affecting both the initial and final reduction rates were higher number of beds for hospitalization expenses and electronic medical record management for outpatient treatment expenses. The environmental factors significantly affecting both the initial and final reduction rates of hospitalization expenses were a highly cooperative work environment, better implementation of indicator management systems, and overtime pay. Better implementation of indicator management system and a committee for handling medical expenses had significant effects on the initial reduction rate for outpatient treatment expenses. A highly cooperative work environment, better implementation of indicator management system, and overtime pay had significant effects on the final reduction rate for outpatient treatment expenses.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.381-392
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• 2020

This study identified the impact of environmental factors and job satisfaction of health organization workers on a reduction rate depending on their lifestyles. The research used 575 questionnaires as final assay data, which were obtained by health care workers who work for hospitals or higher-level hospitals, which are located in Jeolla-do through direct survey method. The results are as follows. First, with the result, which is an analysis of differences in environmental factors, job satisfaction, and reduction rates (inpatient/outpatient), there was a significant difference in the environmental factors of medical institutions based on the age, marital status, job position, and the years of employment, and there was also a significant difference in job satisfaction based on the age, academic career, marital status, occupational description, and monthly income. In an inpatient reduction rate, a significant difference was shown in the age, academic career, and occupational description. In an outpatient reduction rate, a significant difference was shown in the age, marital status, job position, and the years of employment. Second, with the results of correlation analysis, which are determinations of a relationship between environmental factors, job satisfaction, and reduction rate, it was figured out that there is a negative correlation between inpatient reduction rate and job satisfaction, a negative correlation between inpatient reduction rate and the environmental factors, and also a negative correlation between outpatient reduction rate and job satisfaction. There is a significant positive correlation between the outpatient reduction rate and environmental factors, and between job satisfaction and environmental factors. Third, with the results of the impacts that the environmental factors and job satisfaction have on the reduction rate, there was a negative influence of the environmental factors on the inpatient reduction rate, and also a negative influence of job satisfaction on the inpatient reduction rate. There was a significant positive influence of the environmental factors on the outpatient reduction rate, but there was no negative influence of job satisfaction on the outpatient reduction rate.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.259-268
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• 2015

This research grasped the difference of between the daily medical expenses and the medical expenses reduction rate also the cause of change. In the centre, it was conducted in order to offer the necessary basic data to a recuperation pay management solution's establishment. This research surveyed across the country's urban region 50-general hospital's the infective enteritis disease for a year. Then it was conducted the average daily medical expenses and the average medical expenses reduction rate as a distinguishable survey that is a hospitalization and an outpatient the result is followed. The inpatient daily medical expenses correlated with the total number of medical institution personnel, and the outpatient daily medical expenses correlated with the number of beds.. Inpatient medical expense reduction rate was correlated with number of beds and the total number of medical institution personnel. The interaction between medical institution information and daily medical expenses was found to have a positive (+) effect on the total number of medical institution personnel, as well as the numbers of inpatients vs. outpatient. This research about the medical expense reduction rate and daily medical expense help medical institution's efficient, rational decision making and it will be an important basis of a priority recuperation pay's policy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2020

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify individual and institutional factors associated with the prescription of systemic steroids in patients with acute respiratory infections and to investigate the role of a policy measure aimed to reduce inappropriate prescriptions. Methods: We used data from the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort from 2006 to 2015 and focused on episodes of acute respiratory infection. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis were performed to identify individual-level and institution-level factors associated with the prescription of systemic steroids. In addition, steroid prescription rates were compared with antibiotic prescription rates to assess their serial trends in relation to Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation policy. Results: Among a total of 9 460 552 episodes of respiratory infection, the steroid prescription rate was 6.8%. Defined daily doses/1000 persons/d of steroid increased gradually until 2009, but rose sharply since 2010. The steroid prescription rate was higher among ear, nose and throat specialties (13.0%) than other specialties, and in hospitals (8.0%) than in tertiary hospitals (3.0%) and other types of institutions. Following a prolonged reduction in the steroid prescription rate, this rate increased since the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation dropped steroids from its list of evaluation items in 2009. Such a trend reversal was not observed for the prescription rate of antibiotics, which continue to be on the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation list. Conclusions: Specialty and type of institution are important correlates of steroid prescriptions in cases of acute respiratory infection. Steroid prescriptions can also be influenced by policy measures, such as the HIRA Prescription Appropriateness Evaluation policy.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2016

Objectives: The suicide rate in Korea is increasing every year, and is the highest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Psychiatric patients in particular have a higher risk of suicide than other patients. This study was performed to evaluate determinants of mental health care utilization among individuals at high risk for suicide. Methods: Korea Health Panel data from 2009 to 2011 were used. Subjects were individuals at high risk of suicide who had suicidal ideation, a past history of psychiatric illness, or had utilized outpatient services for a psychiatric disorder associated with suicidal ideation within the past year. The chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression were used to identify significant determinants of mental health care utilization. Results: The total number of subjects with complete data on the variables in our model was 989. Individuals suffering from three or more chronic diseases used mental health care more frequently. Mental health care utilization was higher in subjects who had middle or high levels of educational attainment, were receiving Medical Aid, or had a large family size. Conclusions: It is important to control risk factors in high-risk groups as part of suicide prevention strategies. The clinical approach, which includes community-based intervention, entails the management of reduction of suicidal risk. Our study identified demographic characteristics that have a significant impact on mental health care utilization and should be considered in the development of suicide prevention strategies. Further studies should examine the effect of mental health care utilization on reducing suicidal ideation.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.159-164
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• 2013

Purpose: Indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate are important protein-bound uremic retention solutes whose levels can be partially reduced by renal replacement therapy. These solutes originate from intestinal bacterial protein fermentation and are associated with cardiovascular outcomes and chronic kidney disease progression. The aims of this study were to investigate the levels of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate as well as the effect of probiotics on reducing the levels of uremic toxins in pediatric patients on dialysis. Methods: We enrolled 20 pediatric patients undergoing chronic dialysis; 16 patients completed the study. The patients underwent a 12-week regimen of VSL#3, a high-concentration probiotic preparation, and the serum levels of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate were measured before treatment and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks after the regimen by using fluorescence liquid chromatography. To assess the normal range of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate we enrolled the 16 children with normal glomerular filtration rate who had visited an outpatient clinic for asymptomatic microscopic hematuria that had been detected by a school screening in August 2011. Results: The baseline serum levels of indoxyl sulfate and p-cresyl sulfate in the patients on chronic dialysis were significantly higher than those in the children with microscopic hematuria. The baseline serum levels of p-cresyl sulfate in the peritoneal dialysis group were significantly higher than those in the hemodialysis group. There were no significant changes in the levels of these uremic solutes after 12-week VSL#3 treatment in the patients on chronic dialysis. Conclusion: The levels of the uremic toxins p-cresyl sulfate and indoxyl sulfate are highly elevated in pediatric patients on dialysis, but there was no significant effect by probiotics on the reduction of uremic toxins in pediatric dialysis patients. Therefore, studies for other medical intervention to reduce uremic toxins are also necessary in pediatric patients on dialysis.

• Journal of the Korean Orthopaedic Association
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.208-214
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• 2021

Purpose: Verifying a reliable predictor of the progression of vertebral deformity in patients with acute osteoporotic fractures of the lumbar spine may be useful. A qualitative analysis of the muscle near the spine was performed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and its correlation with a spinal deformity was determined under the hypothesis that the causes of the kyphotic deformity are associated with muscle reduction in the multifidus and erector spinae. Materials and Methods: The study was performed in a retrospective manner using the electronic medical records of patients who presented to the author's institution between January 2007 and March 2018, and were diagnosed with an acute lumbar fracture. The fat infiltration rates of the multifidus and erector spinae were measured using MRI taken at the time of injury, and the mean value was defined as the total fat infiltration rate (TFI). Based on lateral radiographs of the lumbar spine at the one-year follow-up, the loss of height of the vertebral body, the kyphotic angle and the wedge angle were measured. The statistical significance was confirmed by calculating the Pearson correlation coefficient. Results: One hundred twenty-nine patients, of which 30 were male and 99 were female, were examined. The mean age was 71.28 years. The mean T-score was -3.53±0.79 g/cm², and the mean fat infiltration was 15.20%±11.99%. TFI was positively correlated with age (R=0.373, p<0.001), compression rate (R=0.369, p<0.001), and Cobb's angle (R=0.386, p<0.001) after a one year follow-up, but negatively correlated with the BMD score (R=-0.252, p=0.004). As the fracture progressed to the lower lumbar level, the compression rate (R=-0191, p=0.030) and wedge angle (R=-0.428, p<0.001) at the time of injury tended to decrease. Conclusion: In patients with osteoporotic vertebral fractures, the fat infiltration rate may be an important predictor of conservative treatment. The prognosis of patients with a high-fat infiltration rate should be explained during patient education, and the patients must be monitored closely through short-term outpatient follow-up.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.221-237
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• 1992

The reasons for cost inflation in medical insurance expenditure are classified into demand pull inflation and cost push inflation. The former includes increase in the number of beneficiaries and utilization rate, while the latter includes increase in medical insurance fee and the charges per case. This study was conducted to analyze sources of increases of expenditure in medical insurance demonstration area by the period of 1982-1987 which was earlier than national health insurance and the period of national health insurance(1988-1990). The major findings were as follows: Medical expenditure in these areas increased by 9.4%(15.1%) annually between 1982 and 1990 on the basis of costant price(current price) and for this period, the yearly average increasing rate of expenses for outpatient care[10.5%(15.8%)] was higher than that of inpatient care [7.3%(12.6%)]. Medical expenditure increased by 6.3%(8.9%) annually between 1982 and 1987, the period of medical insurance demonstration, while it increased by 10.7%(18.9%) after implementing national health insurance(1988-1990). Medical expenditure increased by 35.9%(45.9%) between 1982 and 1987. Of this increase, 115.2%(92.1%) was attributable to the increase in the frequencies of utilization per beneficiary and 61.0%(68.1%) was due to the increase in the charges per case, but the expenditure decreased by 76.2%(60.2%) due to the reduction in the number of beneficiaries. Beteen 1988 and 1990, the period of national health insurance, medical expenditure increased by 21.2%(41.4%). Of this increase, 87.5%(46.4%) was attributable to the increase in the frequencies of utilization per beneficiary and 52.4%(73.4%) was due to the increase in the charges per case, and of the increase in the charges per case, 69.6%(40.8%) was attributable to the increase in the days of visit per case. Medical expenses per person in these areas increased by 78.2%(89.0%) between 1982 and 1987. Of this increase, 76.6%(69.1%) was attributable to the increase in the frequencies of utilization per beneficiary and 23.4%(30.9%) was due to the increase in the charges per case. For this period, demand-pull factor was the major cause of the increase in medical expenses and the expenses per treatment day was the major attributable factor in cost-push inflation. Betwee 1988 and 1990, medical expenditure per person increased by 31.2%(53.1%). Of this increase, 60.8%(37.2%) was attributable to the demand-pull factor and 39.2%(62.8%) was due to the increase in the charges per case which was one of cost-push factors. In current price, the attributalbe rate of the charges per case which was one of cost-push factors was higher than that of utilization rate in the period of national health insurance as compared to the period of medical insurance demonstration. In consideration of above findings, demand-pull factor led the increase in medical expenditure between 1982 and 1987, the period of medical insurance medel trial, but after implementing national health insurance, the attributable rate of cost-push factor was increasing gradually. Thus we may conclude that for medical cost containment, it is requested to examine the new reimbursement method to control cost-push factor and service-intensity factor.