• Title/Summary/Keyword: Radiology services

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A 20-Year Update on the Practice of Thoracic Surgery in Canada: A Survey of the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons

  • Sami Aftab Abdul;Frances Wright;Christian Finley;Sebastien Gilbert;Andrew J. E. Seely;Sudhir Sundaresan;Patrick J. Villeneuve;Donna Elizabeth Maziak
    • Journal of Chest Surgery
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    • v.56 no.6
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    • pp.420-430
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    • 2023
  • Background: This study provides an update to a landmark 2004 report describing demographics, training, and trends in adherence to thoracic surgery practice standards in Canada. Methods: An updated questionnaire was administered to all members of the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons via email (n=142, compared to n=68 in 2004). Our report incorporates internal data from Ontario Health and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Results: Forty-eight surgeons completed the survey (male, 70.8%; mean±standard deviation age, 50.3±9.3 years). This represents a 33.8% response rate, compared to 64.7% in 2004. Most surgeons (69%) served a patient population of over 1 million per center; 32%-34% reported an on-call ratio of 1:4-1:5 days, and the average weekly hours worked was 56.4±11.9. Greater access to dedicated geographic units per center (73% in 2021 vs. 53% in 2004) has improved thoracic-associated services and house staff, notably endoscopy units (100% vs. 91%), with 73% of respondents having access to both endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound. Access to thoracic radiology has also improved, particularly regarding positron emission tomography scanners per center (76.9% vs. 13%). Annual case volumes for lung (255 vs. 128), esophageal (41 vs. 19), and mediastinal resections (30 vs. 13), along with hiatal hernia repair (45 vs. 20), have increased substantially despite reports of operating room availability and radiology as rate-limiting steps. Conclusion: This survey characterizes compliance with current practice standards, addressing the needs of thoracic surgeons across Canada. Over 85% of respondents were aware of the 2004 compliance paper, and 35% had applied for resources and equipment in response.

Improvement of Inspection Methods using Lighting Signals and Guidebook for Non-English speaking Foreign Visitors (For chest X-ray Screening Examinees) (비영어권 외국인 내원객의 조명 신호와 안내서를 이용한 검사방법 개선 효과(흉부 방사선 검사자를 대상으로))

  • Kwak, Jong Hyeok;Choi, Min Gyeong;Kim, Neung Kyun;Kim, A Yeon;Kim, Gyeong Rip
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.14 no.5
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    • pp.577-584
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    • 2020
  • In this study, the number of non-English speaking visitors is increasing day by day, and accordingly, there was a limitation in language communication and communication during radiographic examination. To this end, after distributing the handbook produced for inspection, the improvement effect of before and after explanation was examined. The score scale was not statistically significant as to whether it was the test site or not, and the degree of discomfort of the test, the degree of understanding of the breathing guidelines, and the satisfaction of the test description were improved and the score scale was improved before and after the description of the guide. Non-English-speaking foreign visitors were more satisfied with explanations in their own text than in English or Korean, and the method was also able to conduct effective inspections by informing the foreign guests when to control their breathing by using the lighting signals in the laboratory. In the future, the quality of medical services and imaging medical examinations can be improved only when communication methods are implemented from various perspectives, such as developing various language interpretation programs, developing guides for various test sites, and developing tools and improving foreign language skills of radiologists and medical staff. There will be. In the future, it may be used as a basic resource to prepare a manual that can be used to examine non-English speaking foreigners who do not understand English or Korean in other radiology labs.

Issues Facing the National Health Insurance System in Korea and Their Solutions (우리나라 공공의료의 쟁점과 해결책)

  • Lee, Eun Hye
    • Korean Medical Education Review
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    • v.24 no.1
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    • pp.10-17
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    • 2022
  • South Korea is not a wasteland of publicly funded health care-instead, it has a good medical social security system known as the national health insurance (NHI). The NHI of Korea has three unique features; (1) low premiums, low insurance fees, and low coverage; (2) obligatory designation of medical institutions; (3) and allowance of non-benefit services. These features have made hospitals and doctors interested in profit-seeking. However, the commercialization of medical institutions has taken place in both private- and public-established sectors. A basic problem of commercialization is the co-existence of the obligatory designation of medical institutions and non-benefit services. The problem became worse in the Kim Dae-Jung government because it officially permitted non-benefit services. Since 2000, the Korean government has consistently pursued benefit extension policies, but the coverage rates of the NHI have stagnated. In addition, premiums and current medical expenses have markedly increased because policy-makers have emphasized accessibility to the NHI, while ignoring important principles of medical social security such as a needs-based approach and patient-referral system. In order to resolve the commercialization problem, the obligatory designation of medical institutions to the NHI should be changed to a contract system, and non-benefit services should be prohibited at NHI institutions. We must re-establish the patient-referral system via a needs-based approach. We also need to build a primary healthcare system and public health policies. We should make a long-term plan for healthcare reform.

Research of Awareness for Medical Radiation Safety in Radiography (방사선검사 시 의료방사선 안전성에 대한 인식도 조사)

  • Kim, Gyoo-Hyung
    • Journal of radiological science and technology
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    • v.41 no.3
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    • pp.255-260
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    • 2018
  • Most patients and parents and guardians display frequent anxiety due to radiation exposure during outpatient, ward, and pediatric general radiographic examinations. This is a behavior that perceives only the harmfulness of radiation. For the recognition of medical radiation, we conduct surveys on outpatients, inpatients, and pediatric parents and guardians to identify their awareness, and then use the radiation dose promotional materials After providing accurate information on the use of radiation, the outpatient, inpatient, and pediatric parents and guardians were asked to explain the change in awareness. The questionnaire items were classified into five categories: repetitive radiation awareness for diagnosis, awareness of exposure dose, availability of exposure information, awareness of radiation risk, and awareness of health problems caused by radiation. There was a statistically significant difference in the items of recognition result of medical radiation, although there was a slight difference in the individual items in the pre and post-recognition results of providing information about the radiologists of the protector and the outpatient(p<0.05). Therefore, through the installation of these promotional materials, we will improve our awareness of medical radiation safety during general radiography surveillance in the Department of Radiology to provide better quality medical information and medical services, thereby contributing to strengthening the competitiveness of the hospital.

An Analysis of Research Topic Areas of Medical School Researchers (의학대학 소속 연구자 발표 논문의 주제 분야에 대한 분석)

  • Kim, Hee-Jung;Choi, Sang-Hee
    • Journal of the Korean Society for information Management
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    • v.26 no.2
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    • pp.105-126
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    • 2009
  • In this study, research topic areas in Korean and American medical schools were analyzed to detect each nation's major research areas. CLINICAL NEUROLOGY was identified as the Korean researchers' major subject area by the total number of journals and 'RADIOLOGY, NUCLEAR MEDICINE & MEDICAL IMAGING' was the most major area by the total number of articles. On the other hand, American researchers' top major subject area was the one same area according to all analysis, BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY. In addition, Korean researchers showed publishing tendency related to journal preference in several subject areas.

Factors affecting the Intention of transfering of Radiology Technologists to Different Institutions (방사선사의 전직의사와 관련된 요인분석)

  • Kim, Chang-Ho;Yu, Seung-Hum;Lee, Sun-Hee;Sohn, Tae-Yong
    • Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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    • v.1 no.1
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    • pp.37-55
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    • 1996
  • This study attempts to analyze the factors affecting the intention of transferring to another hospitals among radiology technologists. 344 cases were reviewed in 5 university hospitals and 1 general hospital. Self-administered questionaire were given to study the socioeconomic characteristics, working conditions, job satisfaction level, and the reasons for transfer among the technologists. The major findings were as follows : 1. Job position and hospital characteristics had a statistically significant relationship with the intention of transferring to another hospital. 2. Those who were not satisfied with their salaries and promotional opportunity showed a higher tendency towards to transfer. 3. Those who were less satisfied with the opportunity for developing the personal ability and had the negative attitude on their job showed a higher tendency to transfer. 4. Those who did not sustain good relationship with their superiors and co-workers scored high on the tendency to transfer. 5. In the result of mutiple regression, recognition of radiation hazard, job satisfaction, satisfaction with salary levels, job attitude were significantly related to transfer. The above indicate that besides economic incentives, job satisfaction and organizational culture to promote their ability and form a good relationship with organization members were very important to decrease the intention of transfer. Since these results represent only 6 hospitals from a limited area, more hospitals nationwide, especially small and medium-sized institutions where there is a high turnover rate of employment, need to be examined in order to investigate the various factors that affect the intention of transferring.

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A Study of Awareness of Nursery School Parents about Health Care Privatization (의료민영화에 관한 어린이집 부모의 인식 연구)

  • Choi, Kyung Nam;Park, Yun;Ahn, Byung ju
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.9 no.7
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    • pp.495-500
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    • 2015
  • Health care privatization will have a very significant impact on the quality of medical service and income redistribution and risk diversification. This study was conducted to improve the situation without too much insistence that one did not understand the essence rife about the privatization of health care. In this study, grasp the implications of the current health care debate to be privatized, and dealing with the claims accordingly. Seeks to help establish an objective perspective, looking at the pros and cons at the same time claims for medical privatization policy. The Health and diversification through the capitalist market access as part of the transition process is being overlooked as a new growth engine industries. But health care is constrained to follow the growth of universal access and how to deal with life because it is practical conduct of the person. In addition to services that are not only for the benefit of the profit or government institutions.

Neutrophil to Lymphocyte Ratio and Serum Biomarkers : A Potential Tool for Prediction of Clinically Relevant Cerebral Vasospasm after Aneurysmal Subarachnoid Hemorrhage

  • Osman Kula;Burak Gunay;Merve Yaren Kayabas;Yener Akturk;Ezgi Kula;Banu Tutunculer;Necdet Sut;Serdar Solak
    • Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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    • v.66 no.6
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    • pp.681-689
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    • 2023
  • Objective : Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a condition characterized by bleeding in the subarachnoid space, often resulting from the rupture of a cerebral aneurysm. Delayed cerebral ischemia caused by vasospasm is a significant cause of mortality and morbidity in SAH patients, and inflammatory markers such as systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), systemic inflammatory index (SII), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and derived NLR (dNLR) have shown potential in predicting clinical vasospasm and outcomes in SAH patients. This article aims to investigate the relationship between inflammatory markers and cerebral vasospasm after aneurysmatic SAH (aSAH) and evaluate the predictive value of various indices, including SIRI, SII, NLR, and dNLR, in predicting clinical vasospasm. Methods : A retrospective analysis was performed on a cohort of 96 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of a total of 139 patients admitted Trakya University Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of aSAH between January 2013 and December 2021. Diagnostic procedures, neurological examinations, and laboratory tests were performed to assess the patients' condition. The Student's t-test compared age variables, while the chi-square test compared categorical variables between the non-vasospasm (NVS) and vasospasm (VS) groups. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were used to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of laboratory parameters, calculating the area under the ROC curve, cut-off values, sensitivity, and specificity. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results : The study included 96 patients divided into two groups : NVS and VS. Various laboratory parameters, such as NLR, SII, and dNLR, were measured daily for 15 days, and statistically significant differences were found in NLR on 7 days, with specific cut-off values identified for each day. SII showed a significant difference on day 9, while dNLR had significant differences on days 2, 4, and 9. Graphs depicting the values of these markers for each day are provided. Conclusion : Neuroinflammatory biomarkers, when used alongside radiology and scoring scales, can aid in predicting prognosis, determining severity and treatment decisions for aSAH, and further studies with larger patient groups are needed to gain more insights.

Distribution of the intraosseous branch of the posterior superior alveolar artery relative to the posterior maxillary teeth

  • Carsen R. McDaniel;Thomas M. Johnson;Brian W. Stancoven;Adam R. Lincicum
    • Imaging Science in Dentistry
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    • v.54 no.2
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    • pp.121-127
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    • 2024
  • Purpose: Preoperative identification of the intraosseous posterior superior alveolar artery (PSAA) is critical when planning sinus surgery. This study was conducted to determine the distance between the cementoenamel junction and the PSAA, as well as to identify factors influencing the detection of the PSAA on cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Materials and Methods: In total, 254 CBCT scans of maxillary sinuses, acquired with 2 different scanners, were examined to identify the PSAA. The distance from the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) to the PSAA was recorded at each maxillary posterior tooth position. Binomial logistic regression and multiple linear regression were employed to evaluate the effects of scanner type, CBCT parameters, sex, and age on PSAA detection and CEJ-PSAA distance, respectively. P-values less than 0.05 were considered to indicate statistical significance. Results: The mean CEJ-PSAA distances at the second molar, first molar, second premolar, and first premolar positions were 17.0±4.0 mm, 21.8±4.1 mm, 19.5±4.7 mm, and 19.9±4.9 mm for scanner 1, respectively, and 17.3±3.5 mm, 16.9±4.3 mm, 18.5±4.1 mm, and 18.4±4.3 mm for scanner 2. No independent variable significantly influenced PSAA detection. However, tooth position (b=-0.67, P<0.05) and scanner type (b=-1.3, P<0.05) were significant predictors of CEJ-PSAA distance. Conclusion: CBCT-based estimates of CEJ-PSAA distance were comparable to those obtained in previous studies involving cadavers, CT, and CBCT. The type of CBCT scanner may slightly influence this measurement. No independent variable significantly impacted PSAA detection.

The Comparison of Image Quality between Computed Radiography(CR) and Direct Digital Radiography(DDR) which Follows the Proper Exposure Conditions in General Photographing under the Digital Radiography(DR) (Digital Radiography 환경하에서 일반촬영시 적정 노출조건에 따른 CR과 DDR의 Image Quality 비교)

  • Kim, Jin-Bae;Kang, Chung-Hwan;Kang, Sung-Jin;Park, Soo-In;Park, Jong-Won;Kim, Yeong-Su;Kim, Seung-Sik
    • Korean Journal of Digital Imaging in Medicine
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.64-77
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    • 2002
  • DR has had an important fact not only in the department of radiology but also in productivity or work efficiency of a whole hospital. The environment of DR has more various parameter than CR, so it is able to supply high quality of medical services. The current environment of radiology department in each hospital has been changed from Film-Screen system to DR through Full-PACS. This hospital which uses Full-PACS became to study the proper condition of CR and DDR and how the image quality of them is expressed among general photographing systems in the DR environment. From this experiment, the image quality of DDR is better than CR under the same exposure condition. And in the DDR system, the score of image which uses AEC is a little higher than the score which doesn't use it. Especially it can be known that the function of AEC of DDR is useful to improve the image quality in the part of skull and chest. (The function of AEC : It is the tool that detects the ionized current of x-ray which goes through objects with using the ion chamber which is in the detector. Also it controls the examination of X-ray when the proper density is reached.) Because the proper degree of density can be represented by this system, the photographing can be taken much easily without consideration of the exposure condition with the thickness of various objects. From the result of this experiment, it can be known that the selection of proper exposure condition plays an important rule to gain good Image Quality. More researches will be necessary about DDR system which has potential ability in the future.

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