• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.122-131
• /
• 2019

The majority of children with cerebral palsy (CP) have feeding difficulties and are especially prone to malnutrition. The early involvement of a multidisciplinary team should aim to prevent malnutrition and provide adequate nutritional support. Thorough nutritional assessment, including body composition, should be a prerequisite for the nutritional intervention. As in typically-developed children nutritional support should start with dietary advice and the modification of oral feeding, if safe and acceptable. However, for prolonged feeding, in the presence of unsafe swallowing and inadequate oral intake, enteral nutrition should be promptly initiated and early gastrostomy placement should be evaluated and discussed with parents/caregivers. Gastrointestinal problems (oropharyngeal dysfunction, gastroesophageal disease, and constipation) in children with CP are frequent and should be actively detected and adequately treated as they can further worsen the feeding process and nutritional status.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
• /
• 제36권1호
• /
• pp.1-7
• /
• 2019

The number of people with chronic diseases has been increasing steadily but the indicators for the management of chronic diseases have not improved significantly. To improve the existing chronic disease management system, a new policy will be introduced, which includes the establishment of care plans for hypertension and diabetes patients by primary care physicians and the provision of care coordination services based on these plans. Care coordination refers to a series of activities to assist patients and their families and it has been known to be effective in reducing medical costs and avoiding the unnecessary use of the hospital system by individuals. To offer well-coordinated and high-quality care services, it is necessary to develop a service quality assurance plan, track and manage patients, provide patient support, agree on patient referral and transition, and develop an effective information system. Local governance should be established for chronic disease management, and long-term plans and continuous quality improvement are necessary.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• 제27권1호
• /
• pp.1-14
• /
• 2024

Probiotics are live microorganisms that confer health benefits to the host when administered in adequate amounts. Although recommendations for probiotic use should be strain-specific, many systematic reviews, including recommendations from different societies, recommend probiotic use in general, providing no relevant information for healthcare professionals regarding which probiotic to recommend for which clinical indication, at what dose, and for how long. This narrative review aimed to present the available evidence on the use of probiotics in the prevention and treatment of common gastrointestinal diseases in children, considering the strain and dose used. Furthermore, this study summarizes the evidence on the possible side effects and quality of products containing probiotics.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제25권1호
• /
• pp.88-100
• /
• 1992

1989년 7월 1일부터 실시된 의료전달체계가 3차진료기관에 미친 영향을 분석하기 위하여 실시전(1988년 7월 1일$\sim$1989년 6월 30일)과 실시후(1989년 7월 1일$\sim$1990년 6월 30일) 각 1년간 영남대학교 의과대학 부속병원의 내과, 일반외과, 소아과 외래를 이용한 공무원 및 사립학교교직원 의료보험 대상자 전원을 대상으로 실시한 성적을 요약하면 다음과 같다. 내과 환자는 의료전달체계 실시전 9,669건에 비해 실시후 6,181건으로 36.1% 감소했고, 일반외과는 1,864건에서 1,422건으로 23.7%, 소아과 환자는 3,372건에서 2,128건으로 36.9% 감소하였다. 내과 환자의 평균연령은 의료전달체계 실시전에 49.7세였으나 실시후 52.5세로 증가하였고, 일반외과도 46.5세에서 49.7세로 증가하였다. 성별 분포는 세 과 모두에서 큰 변화는 없었으나 일반외과의 경우 여자 환자가 약 3.0% 포인트 증가하였다. 지역별 분포에서 내과와 소아과 환자는 대구시내 이용자의 비율이 의료전달체계 실시후에 약간 증가하였고, 타 대진료권에서 방문한 환자 비율은 감소하였으나, 일반외과의 경우는 이와 상반된 결과를 보였다. 신환자의 비율은 내과의 경우 의료전달체계 실시전 24.4%에서 실시후 14.6%로 감소하였고, 일반외과는 36.0%에서 23.5%로, 소아과는 15.5%에서 8.3%로 현저히 감소하였다. 의료전달체계 실시 전후의 외래 방문 횟수는 내과가 각각 1.7회와 1.6회로 감소하였으나, 일반외과와 소아과는 큰 변화가 없었다. 의료전달체계 실시전후의 건당 외래진료 일수는 내과의 경우 각각 16.1일과 19.3일, 일반외과 12.0일과 15.2일, 그리고 소아과는 8.9일과 11.2일로 세 과 모두에서 실시후에 유의하게 증가하였다(P<0.01). 의료전달체계 실시 전후의 건당 검사건수는 내과가 각각 2.2건과 2.5건(P<0.01). 소아과가 0.8건과 1.1건(P<0.05)으로 유의하게 증가하였고, 일반외과의 검사건수도 약간 증가하였다. 건당 평균진료비를 불변가격으로 보았을 때, 일반외과가 실시전 75,900원에서 실시후 78,500원, 소아과는 실시전 12,700원에서 실신후 13,500원으로 증가하였으나, 내과는 43,900원에서 42,500원으로 실시후에 오히려 감소하였다. 질병분류를 17대 분류로 했을 때, 내과의 경우 내분비계질환, 순환기계 질환, 호흡기계 질환 등의 비율은 실시후에 증가하였으나, 소화기계 질환, 비뇨생식기 질환, 증상증후가 불명확한 질병은 감소하였다. 일반외과의 경우는 신생물 환자의 비율이 증가하였으나, 순환기계 질환과 증상증후가 불명확한 질병은 감소하였다. 소아과는 신생물, 신경감각계질환, 순환기계 질환 등의 비율은 증가하였으나, 호흡기계질환과 증상증후가 불명확한 질병은 감소하였다. 그리고 10대 다빈도 질환은 일반외과에서는 의료전달체계 실시후에 그 비중이 증가하였으나, 내과와 소아과는 변화가 없었다. 내과의 경우 위 십이지장염, 기타 간질환, 위기능 장애 등의 비율이 감소하였으나 본태성고혈압, 당뇨병, 폐결핵, 협심증 둥의 비율이 증가하였다. 일반외과의 경우에는 치핵, 항문열상, 종기 등의 비율이 감소하였고, 위암, 대장암, 담낭암 등의 비율은 증가하였다. 소아과의 경우 급성상기도염, 기관지염, 불명확한 장관감염 등의 비율은 감소하였고, 간질, 폐결핵, 천식, 임파성백혈병 등은 증가하였다. 이상의 결과로 보아 의료전달체계가 실시됨으로써 3차 진료기관의 외래 방문 환자의 건수, 건당 진료기간, 건당 방문횟수, 건당 검사건수, 건당 진료비, 질병의 구성 등에 변화를 준 것으로 생각된다. 향후 더욱 광범위한 자료를 이용하여 각 수준별 의료기관 간의 환자 흐름을 파악하고 세분화 된 질병분류를 이용하여 질병구조의 변화를 분석하는 연구가 필요할 것으로 생각된다.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• 제51권2호
• /
• pp.122-128
• /
• 2008

Roughly one third of medical problems in children are related to the musculoskeletal system. Most of these problems are common and can be precisely diagnosed. For these problems, nonoperative treatment or reassurance can be given by the pediatrician. Occasionally, a problem needs surgical treatment, but a precise diagnosis must be made. There is little agreement about what types of orthopedic problems a primary care pediatrician should understand in order to effectively care for children. Many pediatric residencies lack an organized teaching curriculum that effectively covers these topics or that includes a required pediatric orthopedic rotation. In this article the authors delineate pediatric orthopedic problems that require recognition and urgent surgical treatment and are relatively common, but have different treatment options (observation, conservative treatment, and surgery) depending on their natural history. Whenever possible, the diagnosis should be made before a decision to refer is made. An accurate diagnosis allows the pediatrician to discuss the natural history of the condition properly. Referral to the wrong specialty can needlessly generate expensive tests and further delay in treatment or generate inappropriate treatment. The parents can be reassured rather than waiting to hear the same information from another physician. In particular, orthopedic problems are known to generate pressure from the parents to seek specialty consultation for reassurance. It is important to communicate to the specialist that the reason for the referral is for parental reassurance rather than for further work-up or treatment. After a proper diagnosis, communication directly between the pediatrician and the appropriate specialist can often avoid an unnecessary referral, and avoid unnecessary tests. The authors reviewed our experience at our outpatient clinic over last 1 year and found that it is useful to classify conditions as common or uncommon, and whether they require surgical or nonsurgical treatment. Many conditions fall in between. The following is a discussion of some of these more important or common conditions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권5호
• /
• pp.2459-2464
• /
• 2016

Background: Cancer treatments can have long-term physical, psychological, financial, sexual and cognitive effects that may influence the quality of life. These can vary from urban to rural areas, survival period and according to the type of cancer. We here aimed to describe demographics and psychosocial analysis of cancer survivors three to five years post-treatment in rural Australia and also assess relationships with financial stress and quality of life domains. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 65 participants visiting the outpatient oncology clinic were given a self-administered questionnaire. The inclusion criteria included three to five years post-treatment. Three domains were investigated using standardised and validated tools such as the Standard Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors Scale (QLACS) and the Personal and Household Finances (HILDA) survey. Included were demographic parameters, quality of life, treatment information and well-being. Results: There was no evidence of associations between any demographic variable and either financial stress or cancer-specific quality of life domains. Financial stress was however significantly associated with the cancer-specific quality of life domains of appearance-related concerns, family related distress, and distress related to recurrence. Conclusions: This unique study effectively points to psychosocial aspects of cancer survivors in rural regions of Australia. Although the majority of demographic characteristics were not been found to be associated with financial stress, this latter itself is significantly associated with distress related to family and cancer recurrence. This finding may be of assistance in future studies and also considering plans to fulfil unmet needs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권23호
• /
• pp.10251-10254
• /
• 2015

Uterine cancer is the most common invasive gynaecological cancer in Australia. Early detection is a key predictive factor achieved by increasing public awareness and participation in screening. This observational study measures awareness of gynaecological malignancies, particularly uterine, among women in two rural areas of New South Wales, Australia. Patients presenting to gynaecology clinics in January to March 2014 were invited to complete a structured questionnaire. Women with a history of cancer and incomplete questionnaires were excluded. Of the 382 patients invited to participate, 329 (86%) responded with complete feedback. Most respondents were younger than than 50 years (66%) and married with at least 2 children (74%). The majority (94%) of participants had no awareness of uterine cancer and many (46%) were unable to identify common risk factors including obesity, diabetes and hypertension. The ability to identify risk factors was correlated to age, marital status and obesity. The study identifies poor awareness on uterine malignancies in two typical areas of rural Australia. Although external validity is limited by sociological factors, poor awareness of uterine cancer among rural patients in this study represents a valid public health concern. It is imperative to improve awareness of uterine cancer and available screening programs to facilitate early detection and cure.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권12호
• /
• pp.7301-7307
• /
• 2013

Background: Conspicuous differences in participation rates for breast self-examination (BSE), clinical breast examination (CBE), and referral for further investigations have been observed indicating involvement of a number of different factors. This study analysed determinants for participation in different levels of the breast cancer screening process in Indian females. Materials and Methods: An intervention group of 52,011 women was interviewed in a breast cancer screening trial in Trivandrum district, India. In order to assess demographic, socio-economic, reproductive, and cancer-related determinants of participation in BSE, CBE, and referral, uni- and multi-variate logistic regression was employed. Results: Of the interviewed women, 23.2% reported practicing BSE, 96.8% had attended CBE, and 49.1% of 2,880 screen-positives attended referral. Results showed an influence of various determinants on participation; women who were currently not married or who had no family history of cancer were significantly less likely to attend the screening process at any level. Conclusions: Increasing awareness about breast cancer, early detection methods, and the advantages of early diagnoses among women, and their families, as well as health care workers offering social support, could help to increase participation over the entire screening process in India.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• 제29권2호
• /
• pp.279-294
• /
• 1996

This study was to evaluate hospital characteristics as composition of manpower and facilities to the death rate of patient; and to earmark the factors affecting the overall hospital mortality rates. The data utilized were derived from survey material conducted by the Korean Hospital Association on 32 tertiary referral hospitals in Korea between 1986 and 1994. The findings are : 1. Those hospitals having the most capacity per bed had little difference to the mortality rates than the others. 2. Those hospitals having the most daily patients per specialist had significantly higher mortality rates than the others, but the number of daily patients per nurse had little effect on the mortality rates. 3. Those hospitals which had a relatively sufficient number of quality assurance activities revealed a lower mortality, and particularly in case where such effort was directed to the clinicians, the outcome was remarkable. We concluded that the major factor affecting the hospital mortality rates seems to be the number of specialists per number of beds, the degree of quality assurance assessment of the clinicians, the quality assurance activities of each hospital as a whole, and the number of daily patient per specialist. According to the findings of this study, the composition and quality of specialist and adequate quality assurance activities seemed to be the essential for the improvement of hospital care. Therefore, in this regard e proper implementation of policy and support is highly recommended. Due to lack of available research material, the personal characteristics of specialists haven't been considered in this study. However, this longitudinal observation of 32 tertiary referral hospitals over a nine year period has significant merit alone.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제17권9호
• /
• pp.4445-4450
• /
• 2016

Background: This study explored perspectives of health-care providers on childhood cancer treatment in Kenya. Materials and Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 104 health-care providers in January and February 2013. Results: Seventy six percent of the health-care providers believed cancer to be curable. More doctors than other health-care providers had this positive opinion (p=0.037). The majority of health-care providers (92%) believed that most children with cancer will not be able to finish their treatment due to financial difficulties. They considered that prosperous highly-educated parents adhere better with treatment (88%) and that doctors adhere better with treatment for prosperous highly-educated parents (79%). According to 74% of health-care providers, quality of care is better for prosperous highly-educated parents (74%). Most health-care providers reported giving more explanation (71%), work with greater accuracy (70%) and use less difficult vocabulary (55%) to prosperous more educated families. Only 34% of health-care providers reported they feel more empathy towards patients from prosperous families. Reasons for non-adherence with the protocol according to health-care providers are: family refuses drugs (85%), inadequate supply of drugs at pharmacy (79%), child looks ill (75%), and financial difficulties of parents (69%). Conclusions: Health-care providers' health beliefs and attitudes differ for patients with families having high versus low socio-economic backgrounds.