• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.257-262
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• 2018

This study reviews the advent of long-term care (LTC) hospitals and its key issues in Korea. For analysis, enforcement ordinances and enforcement rules related to LTC hospitals were reviewed. Official statistic data were used for quantitative analysis and Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development data were utilized for comparative analysis. Various references and expert interviews were conducted for status analysis. As of 2016, the number of LTC hospitals was 1,386 and the number of beds were 246,373. It showed the trend of increasing medical care costs and the cost of care at LTC hospitals increasing from 998.8 billion Korean won in 2008 to 4,745.6 billion Korean won in 2016, accounting for 7.3% of the total National Health Insurance expenditure. From the societal perspective, several issues were pointed out within the current health care system related to LTC hospitals: establishment of roles, concerns about the increase in medical expenses, and the quality of medical personnel.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.575-581
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• 2015

Malaria is a tropical disease caused by protozoans of the Plasmodium genus. Delayed diagnosis and misdiagnosis are strongly associated with higher mortality. In recent years, a greater importance is attributed to Plasmodium knowlesi, a species found mainly in Southeast Asia. Routine parasitological diagnostics are associated with certain limitations and difficulties in unambiguous determination of the parasite species based only on microscopic image. Recently, molecular techniques have been increasingly used for predictive diagnosis. The aim of the study is to draw attention to the risk of travelling to knowlesi malaria endemic areas and to raise awareness among personnel involved in the therapeutic process.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.11-15
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• 2014

A number of medical schools in Korea have been using computer-based testing (CBT) for evaluating their students' scientific and/or clinical performance since the early 1990s. Introducing CBT to medical education would have several advantages: first, presenting figures and audio-video files of clinical content is simple with CBT, making it possible to evaluate medical students' competency with navigating more realistic clinical situations at minimum cost; second, CBT enables automatic item analysis and score reporting. To establish CBT, constructing an item bank with item parameters such as difficulty or discriminating parameters will be needed. To select more psychometrically sound items, analysis of the items according to item response theory is necessary. CBT has already been introduced in high stakes tests like the United States Medical Licensing Examination and the Medical Council of Canada Qualifying Examination. The National Health Personnel Examination Board in Korea is also planning to introduce a CBT-based version of the National Medical Examination soon. Thus all medical schools in Korea will need to introduce CBT and construct item banks to prepare their students for their licensing examinations and to measure the students' competency more accurately.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.82-90
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• 2003

Dopamine is an effective pressor for the treatment of shock and hypotension when patients do not respond to plasma volume expansion. Two dopamine intravenous delivery systems are currently available in Korea. The objective of this study was to compare dopamine premixed with prefilled system in terms of supply costs (preparation costs + personnel time), contamination rates and convenience. Time-and-motion studies were conducted to determine the time and costs associated with preparation and administration of the two systems. They were analyzed and compared by Mann-Whitney test. To evaluate the contaminaton rates of the two systems, both systems were prepared in an open environment similar to that of practical situations. Premixed and compounded solutions were then filtered by $0.22{\mu}m$ membrane filters, which were cultured at $37^{\circ}C$ for 10 days and their contents were visually checked for bacterial contamination. The convenience of the two systems was compared by itemized user assessments on preparation, dose calculation, admixture, administration and disposal of waste matters. They were analyzed by Wilcoxon's signed rank test and 100 part percentage. It was found that the preparation costs $(mean{\pm}SD)$ for premixed and prefilled systems were $271.70\pm293.55\;Won$ (Korean currency) and $1521.04\pm510.63\;Won$, respectively. The preparation time $(mean{\pm}SD)$ for premixed system was $68.10\pm35.69\;sec.$ while at for prefilled system was $154.03\pm50.06\;sec.$ (n=59 each, p<0.001). No bacterium was observed in the samples of both systems (n=20, each). User assessments indicated that the premixed system was more convenient than the prefilled system except for the item of dose calculation (n=24, p<0.001). Subjective evaluations have proven that the use of the dopamine premixed system resulted in increased efficiency of intravenous preparation by allowing personnel to devote more time to other labor-intensive duties and lower total medical costs.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.60-68
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• 2012

Objectives: By grasping trends in research, technology, and general characteristics of learning support tools, this study was conducted to present a model for research on Korean Medicine (KM) to make use of information technology to support teaching and learning. The purpose is to improve the future clinical competence of medical personnel, which is directly linked to national health. Methods: With papers and patents published up to 2011 as the objects, 438 papers were extracted from "Web of Science" and 313 patents were extracted from the WIPS database (DB). Descriptive analysis and network analysis were conducted on the annual developments, academic journals, and research fields of the papers, patents searched were subjected to quantitative analysis per application year, nation, and technology, and an activity index (AI) was calculated. Results: First, research on medical learning support tools has continued to increase and is active in the fields of computer engineering, education research, and surgery. Second, the largest number of patent applications on medical learning support tools were made in the United States, South Korea, and Japan in this order, and the securement of remediation technology-centered patents, rather than basic/essential patents, seemed possible. Third, when the results of the analysis of research trends were comprehensively analyzed, international research on e-PBL- and medical simulation-centered medical learning support tools was seen to expand continuously to improve the clinical competence of medical personnel, which is directly linked to national health. Conclusions: The KM learning support tool model proposed in the present study is expected to be applicable to computer-based tests at KM schools and to be able to replace certain functions of national KM doctor license examinations once its problem DB, e-PBL, and TKM simulator have been constructed. This learning support tool will undergo a standardization process in the future.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.105-111
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• 2019

On December 31, 2018, an incident occurred where a doctor was attacked and killed by a patient carrying a lethal weapon in the outpatients' clinic of the psychiatric department of a tertiary general hospital. The suspect was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder (manic depressive disorder) and has been hospitalized and cared for in the psychiatric ward of this hospital. This incident illustrates the necessity of more active cures and therapeutic intervention for mental patients with intellectual developmental disorders who require treatment considering the fact that a radical outcome has been caused by such a patient. However, on the other hand, there is also a need for an approach and analysis from the perspective of crime prevention for all medical departments. The reason for this is that even a tertiary general hospital equipped with the largest human resources, medical devices, facilities, and so forth, is susceptible to violence. As for illegal actions perpetrated against health and medical service personnel in medical institutions, such as verbal abuse, assault, injury, etc. there have neither been understanding shown for the current extent of damage in detail, nor discussions of active institutional improvement related to the seriousness of the act. It can be said that violence in the field of medical treatment is a realm requiring serious discussion and appropriate remedial actions. This is because when such incidents take place, if a patient who is supposed to get treatment from the damaged health care provider is in an urgent situation or on the waiting list of serious cases, he or she could suffer serious damage caused by deprivation of treatment opportunity, or secondary damage might be caused to the patient and/or a guardian who can hardly have an opportunity to take action. Accordingly, in this review, we would like to help create the necessary conditions for both health and medical service personnel and patients/guardians, respectively, to provide and receive medical treatment in a more secure environment. Therefore, objective assessment of the institution and issues relating to this aforementioned incident and general cases of violence occurring in medical institutions, and by suggesting legal and institutional improvements and solutions.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.409-423
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• 2019

The purposes of this study was to confirm the current issues of workforce policy of dental auxiliary personnel in Korea. The literature review and data collection were conducted in terms of the auxiliary personnel supply, regional distribution, legal works, working environment. Despite the rapid increase in the number of dental hygienists, the number of active dental hygienists is less than half of the total, and the dental clinics still experience the shortage. Considering the dental hygienist's work, the available dental auxiliary personnel for the dental assistance is limited. The proportion of dental hygienists is concentrated in large cities, and the ratio of dental clinics composed of only dental hygienists is high. Thus, it is essential to look for a plan to solve the disparity. The criterion for judging the legality of the works is ambiguous because a large portion of dental hygienist's work is not specified in the Medical Technicians Act. The job life is also shortened, and occupational profession and satisfaction are lowered. Thus, job burnout is accelerating. The difference between the legal works and the practiced works of dental hygienist and the conflict between the personnel might be due to the lack of utilization plans for the dental personnel at the government level. Therefore, the government should establish the roles of dental hygienist in accordance with the demands of the dental health service, institutionalize the necessary policies accordingly, and make efforts to establish plans to improve the relevant laws and utilize the manpower appropriately.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.99-114
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• 2020

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI), including deep learning, has led to the development of technologies that may assist in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases, prediction of disease risk and prognosis, health index monitoring, drug development, and healthcare management and administration. However, in order for AI technology to improve the quality of medical care, technical problems and the efficacy of algorithms should be evaluated in real clinical environments rather than the environment in which algorithms are developed. Further consideration should be given to whether these models can improve the quality of medical care and clinical outcomes of patients. In addition, the development of regulatory systems to secure the safety of AI medical technology, the ethical and legal issues related to the proliferation of AI technology, and the impacts on the relationship with patients also need to be addressed. Systematic training of healthcare personnel is needed to enable adaption to the rapid changes in the healthcare environment. An overall review and revision of undergraduate medical curriculum is required to enable extraction of significant information from rapidly expanding medical information, data science literacy, empathy/compassion for patients, and communication among various healthcare providers. Specialized postgraduate AI education programs for each medical specialty are needed to develop proper utilization of AI models in clinical practice.

• Journal of forensic and investigative science
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.30-49
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• 2007

An autopsy is a postmortem assessment or examination of a body to determine cause of death or manner of death. The author had surveyed Personnel's perception toward conducting an autopsy in general hospital with autopsy at YeungNam University Medical Center, Daegu, Korea from April, to May, 2007. The total number of 286 personnel consisted of 121 men(42.3%), 165 women(57.7%). There were 57 doctors(19.9%), 71 nurses(24.8%), 83 medical technicians (29.0%), 58 office workers(20.3%), and 17 others(5.9%). 61.4% of doctors had an experience of education for autopsy more than 2 times, but nurses(1.4%), medical technicians(15.7%), office workers(1.7%), and others(5.9%) had little experience. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of respondent or respondent's family member was 59.6% of doctors, 22.5% of nurses, 39.8% of medical technicians, 41.4% of office workers, and 35.3% of others. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of respondent's companion was 66.7% of doctors, 33.8% of nurses, 39.8% of medical technicians, 43.1% of office workers, and 17.6% of others. Response of conducting an autopsy for sudden death of patients in general hospital was 50.9% of doctors, 8.5% of nurses, 19.3% of medical technicians, 24.1% of office workers, and 17.6% of others. Survey about a proper institution for autopsy showed 73.7% of doctors for department of forensic medicine in medical school, and 62.0% of nurses, 59.0% of medical technicians, 46.6% of office workers, and 58.8% of others for National Institute of Scientific Investigation. Most of the respondents agreed with the forensic pathologist as the director of autopsy:98.2% of doctors, 94.4% of nurses, 96.4% of medical technicians, 89.7% of office workers, and 88.2% of others. Survey for necessity for autopsy showed responsiveness of doctors, 23.9% of nurses, 47.0% of medical technicians, 34.5% of office workers, and 23.5% of others. Survey for donation of him- or herself after death to the medical school or institution for the death investigation revealed responsiveness of 22.8% of doctors, 11.3% of nurses, 24.1% of medical technicians, 22.4% of office workers, and 23.5% of others. The result of the survey questionnaire showed more negative awareness for autopsy in nurses, medical technicians, office workers, others and than doctors. To improve the negative awareness for autopsy and settle proper postmortem inspection system, education of professional manpower for forensic medicine and inaction of law which is adequate for the actual circumstance of Korea should be considered.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.86-97
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• 1997

Background : It is a primary goal for hospital personnel to improve the quality of patient care. In Korea the concept of quality assurance has been spread over the last five years. Many hospitals have implemented quality assurance programs that fit their own philosophy and needs. As a result, they are supposed to have different experiences and attitudes toward quality assurance. To investigate their diversity will be helpful to have a direction to the future and to enhance the quality assurance activities in Korean hospitals. Objectives : The aim of this study is to obtain information about hospital personnel's attitude and opinion toward quality assurance in hospitals. Methods : A questionnaire was developed which consisted of five parts; the general characteristics of respondent, the concepts of quality assurance, need for quality assurance program, current status of quality improvement activities, and participation in programs. Using the registry of Korean hospitals, 102 hospitals with more than 400 beds were selected. Questionnaires were mailed to hospital staffs of each hospital; top managers, clinical department heads, registered nurses, medical recorders, and administrators. Results : Of 2038 questionnaires sent, 877 were returned, giving response rate of 44%. Most respondents(70%) regarded quality assurance as efforts to provide patient with care in highest quality and to improve effectiveness or resource utilization. Ninety-nine percent of respondents agreed to need for quality assurance in their hospitals. There were current quality improvement programs implemented in the department of 553 respondents(62%), and most of the(85%) have participated in at least one program. Lack of motivation was pointed out as a barrier to implement the programs. Conclusion : Although most respondents have known of the concept and need for quality assurance, this study suggests that education and motivation of hospital personnel be needed to activate the quality assurance programs in hospitals.