• 대한산업공학회지
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.313-324
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• 2013

Healthcare optimization is mandatory to strengthen the competitiveness of domestic healthcare industry. Healthcare optimization aims to increase service quality, patient safety, and system efficiency. This paper reviews various healthcare optimization cases of developed countries, synopsizes the current status of domestic healthcare industry, points out several reasons why healthcare optimization is not active in Korea, and suggests some vitalization ways.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제16권17호
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• pp.7425-7430
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• 2015

Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality rates have dropped 30% in the US in the last 10 years among adults ages 50 and older due to the widespread uptake of colonoscopy, yet incidences in the Arab countries have been increasing in the past ten years, albeit with lower figures when compared with developed countries. Lifestyle changes, food consumption patterns and obesity have been observed during the past years where the regular consumption of traditional foods is being replaced with more Western-style and ready-made foods. Most high income countries have implemented population based colorectal cancer screening programs, which aid in decreasing the incidence and mortality of cancer, while these are lacking in most of the Arab world countries due to many cultural and religious barriers to CRC screening as well as lack of high education or familiarity. What is needed is health education to modify risky lifestyle, and to increase motives and enhance positive attitudes towards early screening especially amongst high risk groups in addition to policy designed to encourage healthier living.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.58-64
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• 2000

Obesity is a global pandemic that is increasing throughout most of the world. Increases in obesity are not restricted to highly industrialized countries, but have been observed in newly developed and developing countries as well. Obesity is associated with increased risk for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and some types of cancer. Tragically, eliminating food shortages in developing countries may result in substituting heart disease, diabetes, and cancer for malnutrition. There are many approaches to reducing obesity, including dietary modification, surgical interventions, and drug therapies. However, only dietary modification has the potential to be effective on a global scale. Public health measures in the United States have sought to reduce obesity by reducing the intake of dietary fat. While these efforts have succeeded in reducing dietary fat, obesity has continued to increase, suggesting that moderate fat reduction may not be effective. Other proposed diets include low-carbohydrate diets, low glycemic index diets, and very low fat diets. While all of these diets may be effective for some people, they are not satisfactory for public health policy. In fact, the ratio of fat to carbohydrate may not be as important as previously believed. Humans may be well suited to adapt to diets as varied as a high carbohydrate tropical diet consisting mostly of fruits to the high fat Eskimo diet consisting largely of animal foods. Either extreme may be healthful if providing adequate, but not excessive, energy and adequate amounts of micronutrients. Public health measures may need to focuss on reducing the overconsumption of inexpensive and convenient foods.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제40권2호
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• pp.122-129
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• 2007

During the last decade, genomic cohort study has been developed in many countries by linking health data and genetic data in stored samples. Genomic cohort study is expected to find key genetic components that contribute to common diseases, thereby promising great advance in genome medicine. While many countries endeavor to build biobank systems, biobank-based genome research has raised important ethical concerns including genetic privacy, confidentiality, discrimination, and informed consent. Informed consent for biobank poses an important question: whether true informed consent is possible in population-based genomic cohort research where the nature of future studies is unforeseeable when consent is obtained. Due to the sensitive character of genetic information, protecting privacy and keeping confidentiality become important topics. To minimize ethical problems and achieve scientific goals to its maximum degree, each country strives to build population-based genomic cohort research project, by organizing public consultation, trying public and expert consensus in research, and providing safeguards to protect privacy and confidentiality.

• 한국치위생학회지
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.453-462
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of the study is to investigate the education, certification system, and extent of duty of dental hygienist between Korea and five developed countries including United States, Canada, England, Australia, and Japan. Methods : Internet based access to five developed countries was made and the analysis was done for the definition of occupation, main duties, similar occupations, education policy, job descriptions, license certification system, standards of duty, Q & A management, current status of obtaining certification, and scope of work. Results : United States has a two-year associate degree(AS) and a four-year bachelor degree(BS). Canada has two to three years degree and a two-year course is accepted in england and Australia. In the meanwhile, Korea and Japan have two-year and four-year educational courses. The duty of dental hygienists includes the prevention education for dental health and continuing dental health care. Most of the dental hygienists in Korea and Japan play the assistant roles for the dental surgeons. United States has national board examinations including written examinations, practical examinations, and computer assisted examination. Written and practical examinations are also conducted in Korea. England and Australia have the recognized educational organizations for qualification. Conclusions : Problem based and problem solving skills are the most important in dental hygienist education in Korea. The training of highly competent dental hygienists must be done for the improvement of dental hygiene in Korea in the near future.

• 과학기술학연구
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.109-135
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• 2008

성 인지적인 연구란 연구 주체인 연구자 구성에서의 성적 불균형, 과학기술 연구결과의 수혜자들의 성적 불균형, 그리고 연구대상의 성적 불균형을 시정한 연구를 의미한다. 이 논문에서는 성 인지적인 연구란 무엇이며, 유럽 및 미국 등에서 성 인지적 연구들이 어떻게 제도화되고 있는지를 살펴보고, 이들 경험에 비추어 한국의 보건 분야 국가 연구개발사업의 성 인지성을 분석해본다. 성 인지 연구는 NIH의 "임상연구에 여성과 소수자들을 피 실험자로서 포함시키는 것에 관한 가이드라인"의 제정, 캐나다 GSBA 수단의 개발, 유럽연합 FP 프로그램의 성별영향평가를 통해 제도적인 기반을 갖추어가고 있다. 국내 국가연구개발 사업은 연구개발 사업에서 여성 연구자의 참여가 낮을 뿐만 아니라, 연구 주제에서 성 특이성들이 고려되지 못하고 있으며, 연구결과의 수혜자로서 여성의 특이성을 고려하지 않는 연구수행 등으로 성 인지성이 낮은 것으로 나타났다. 성별영향평가가 제도화되고 있는 시점에서 성 인지적인 연구가 강화될 수 있도록 여러가지 제도적인 정책을 모색할 필요가 있다.

• 한국의료질향상학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.113-123
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• 2006

Objective : This research is focused on understanding the current status of the Health Smart Card already in use in other advanced countries. This research will analyze the current status of the medical institutions Health Smart Card system adoption process and its effects, and provide a basis for future policy decisions for the effective adoption and diffusion of a Health Smart Card system, in the medical field, through the completed research and analysis. Method : This research surveys the domestic, and foreign, status of Health Smart Card usage. The research also presents up-to-date methodology for the evaluation of the effects of medical and health care technology. The research also conducts a survey of the domestic medical institutions that have implemented a Health Smart Card system, and then analyzes the results of the survey. Additionally, the research carried out a survey and analysis of medical institutions with no Health Smart Card system implemented, and considered the factors affecting the diffusion of Health Smart Card systems in considering an effective policy for the introduction and diffusion of such a system. Research Results : Through the study of the methodology of medical and health care information technology in advanced countries, the methodology for assessing Health Smart Card technology has been established, and focuses on 6 aspects. The study on the status of foreign implementation has shown a model for the Health Smart Card system. A survey was conducted on the current status of medical institutions with an implemented Health Smart Card system, and the survey results have been analyzed. Also, factors influencing the adoption of Health Smart Card systems have been analyzed through the survey on those medical institutions that have not implemented a Health Smart Card system. Conclusion : The government must provide institutional measures for sharing medical records by constructing an IT infrastructure at the national level to enable the adoption and diffusion of a Health Smart Card system. Such a network will make connections between medical institutions possible, thus making the diffusion of the Health Smart Card system nationwide. For the successful adoption and diffusion of a Health Smart Card system, a model system development, under a medical record sharing system, should be conducted. Additionally, a regional unit based model should be developed for the model project, as is done in advanced countries, along with the application of such results.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제42권5호
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• pp.293-301
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• 2016

Objectives: This paper presents the current development progress of environmental health indicators (EHIs) in the Republic of Korea and discusses the utilization, limitations and prospects of EHIs. Methods: The development process and assessment criteria of EHIs were established based on the DPSEEA (Driving force-Pressure-State-Exposure-Effect-Action) framework with reference to that of the World Health Organization-Europe. In order to explore the applicability of EHIs, a case study was performed to compare the atmospheric environmental health status between the Republic of Korea and European region countries using six indicators. Results: Through the development process, 23 indicators in five areas including air quality, indoor air quality, climate change, chemicals, and water quality were developed, mostly using national statistical data. As a result of the case study comparing environmental health indicators in air quality between the Republic of Korea and Europe, it could be useful to understand the different situation of air pollution source, emission, exposure and health effects. Conclusion: In order for EHIs to compare environmental health status and be used as an environmental health policy development tool for vulnerable areas and related factors, it is necessary to develop further indicators for various issues other than air quality and conduct additional research on their interpretation and related implications, such as policy implementation effects.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.1989-1994
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• 2012

Background and Purpose: An analysis of the current nuclear medicine (NM) status and future demand in Turkey in line with the international benchmarks was conducted to establish a comprehensive baseline reference. Methods: Data from all NM centers on major equipment and manpower in Turkey were collected through a survey and cross-checked with the primary research and governmental data. Data regarding manpower currently working were obtained from the relevant academic centers and occupational societies. Results: The current numbers of NM laboratories, NM specialists, gamma cameras, PET/CT scanners, radioiodine treatment units for thyroid cancer are 217, 474, 287, 75 and 39, respectively. There was personnel and equipment need underestimated in the field compared to developed countries. Equipment insufficiency was more significant in the Ministry of Health (MoH) hospitals. These gaps should be eliminated with strategic planning of equipment and NM laboratories. Currently, the number of the PET/CT devices is at the level of the developed countries. The number of specialists in the field should reach the expected goal in 2023. By 2023, Turkey will need around 820 NM specialists, 498 gamma cameras and 99 PET/CT devices. In addition, further studies should be made regarding other related staff, particularly for health physicians, radiopharmacists and NM technicians. Conclusion: There is an insufficiency of personnel and equipment in Turkey's NM field. Comprehensive strategic planning is required to allocate limited resources and the purchase of the equipment and employment policies should be structured as part of "National Special Feature Requiring Health Service Plan".

• 보건행정학회지
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• 제3권1호
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• pp.53-83
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• 1993

A small number of high cost patients usually spend a larger proportion of scarce health resources. Korea is no exception. Under the national health insurance, 12% of the insured persons have consumed approximately half of the national health insurance expenditures. Therefore, it is necessary to identify the characteristics of the high cost patient group, if we would like to reduce them. This study has defined high cost patients as those who have spent one and half million won and over per 6 months. The study reveals that high cost users are those who have a longer length of stays(LOS), 40days of LOS in the 6 months, have multiple admissions, 2 to 3 admissions per 6 months and are the elderly patients. They have spent 814.126won per on the average, and commonly suffered from malignant neoplasms, circulatory diseases, fracture, diabetes mellitus, etc. Unlike the case of western developed countries, early readmissions are not the major causes of high cost spending in Korea. Undoubtedly, a lengthy admission is the main cause of large spending. Health policies should vigorously be explored to respond appropriately. There are evidences that hospital beds are often misused. As the Korean health care system is lacking in a mechanism of patient evaluation under the fee-for-service remuneration system, an idea of progressive patient care needs to be tested. The Goverment should set up health policy to diversify the role of long-term care facilities and encourage people to establish them. Further studies are needed to identify factors influencing large medical bills necessary for formulating the health policy on cost containment.