• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.291-302
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• 2010

Purpose: This study was a secondary data analysis aimed at identifying the predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of the home-dwelling disabled person by using EQ-5D which is a standardized instrument used as a measure of health outcome. Methods: Data were drawn from the 3rd Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey conducted by the Ministry of Health and Welfare (MOHW). Subjects were 1,021 home-dwelling disabled persons over 19 years of age. Data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test, Pearson's correlation, one-way ANOVA, Scheff$\acute{e}$ test, and Stepwise multiple regression. Results: HRQoL (Health Related Quality of Life) is differentiated within age, genders, educational level, employment status, economic status, types and grades of disability, health problems associated with limited mobility, and the limited duration of time. HRQoL is correlated with age, number of cohabiters, educational level, grades of disability, activities of daily living (ADL), and instrumental ADL (IADL). HRQoL is significantly associated with ADL, health problems in connection with limited mobility, employment status, types of disability, marital status, grades of disability, and the limited duration of time. These factors explained 63.7% of variance in HRQoL. Conclusion: HRQoL among the disabled is related to their characteristics, ADL, and IADL. For this reason, it is necessary to develop health programs to promote those variables required to improve HRQoL.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.61-68
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a workplace-based work-conditioning program (WCP) on the management of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WRMDs) in an automobile-parts manufacturing company. In total, 1,110 subjects with WRMDs participated in workplace-based WCP emphasizing function-centered management and ergonomics. We investigated the incidence of WRMDs variables (number of persons diagnosed with industrial accident-related WHMDs, number of cases of WRMD) and financial benefits (cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs) per year before and after WCP. Additionally, we compared self-reported pain intensity and functional disability in subjects with musculoskeletal pain before and after the WCP. Pain intensity was measured using a visual analog scale (VAS), and functional disability was measured by the neck disability index (NDI) and the Oswestry disability Index (ODI). The number of person diagnosed with industrial accident-related WRMDs, the number of cases of WRMD, the cost of workers' compensation insurance and lost work days related to WRMDs per year decreased by 51%, 37%, 34%, and 47%, respectively, and VAS, NDI, and ODI scores decreased significantly after implementation of WCP (p<.05). Thus, the results of the present study suggest that function-centered, workplace-based WCP was effective in managing WRMDs at an automobile-parts manufacturing company.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.68 no.4
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• pp.143-167
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• 2016

While there have been numerous studies on various issues of aging of the individuals and the population, little is known about the process and consequences of aging of the disabled. Aging is irreversible for the disabled as well as for the not-disabled. With the advances of age, the disabled confront double jeopardy from disability and old age. This study aims to explore the meaning of aging and death for 40s and 50s living with disability for more than 20 years. It utilizes the data set collected through focus groups discussions of the disabled The cases in our analysis are composed of the disabled capable of articulating their feelings and thoughts. Thus, they are selected from the less privileged ones. The analysis shows that aging of the disabled, often involving secondary disability, overwhelms their current disability. Nonetheless, it does not necessary mean that they become an ordinary elderly person. Rather they still feel exclusion from the elderly for their disability. As getting older they turn to face social barrier for both disability and old age. Also, they are trying to live their present lives in full while accepting the presence of death Our findings are hoped to help to understand how the disabled get old and view their death in their own way.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.56-66
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• 2014

For maintaining adequate psychometric properties when reducing the number of items from an instrument, item level psychometrics is crucial. Strategies such as low item correlation or factor loadings, using classical test theory, have traditionally been advocated. The purpose of this study is to describe the development of a new short form assessing the impact of low back pain on physical activity. Rasch measurement model has been applied to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health Activity Measure (ICF-AM). One hundred and one individuals with low back pain aged 19-89 years (mean age: $48.1{\pm}17.3$) who live in the community were participated in the study. Twenty-seven items of lifting/carrying construct of the ICF-AM were analyzed. Ten items were selected from the construct to create a short form. Item elimination criteria include: 1) high or low mean square (out of the range: .6-1.4 for the fit statistics), 2) similar item calibrations to adjacent items, 3) person separation value, and item-person map for potential gap in person ability continuum. All 10 items of the short form fit to the Rasch model except one item (i.e., carrying toddler on back). Despite its high infit and outfit statistics (1.90/2.17), the item had to be reinstated due to potential gaps at the upper extreme of person ability level. The short form had a slightly better spread of person ability continuum compared to the entire set of item. The created short form separated individuals with low back pain into nearly 4 groups, while the entire set of items separated the individuals into 6 groups. The findings prompted multidimensional models for better explanation of the lifting/carrying domain. The item level psychometrics based on the Rasch model can be useful in developing short forms with rationally retained items.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.288-302
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• 2019

Background: The one-person households (OPH) are rapidly increasing and vulnerable to socioeconomic and health problems. Because it is predicted to be inequitable to health care utilization, we would like to find out about the equity of health care utilization of the OPH by comparison with the multi-person households (MPH). Methods: This study followed the theoretical framework of Wagstaff and van Doorslaer (2000), O'Donnell and his colleagues (2008), where the horizontal inequity index is the difference between the concentration indices of actual health care utilization and health care needs. This study employed the 9th Korea Health Panel survey, and a total of 10,807 cases were analyzed. Health care needs were measured by age, sex, subjective health status, chronic disease count, Charlson's Comorbidity Index, limitation of activities, and disability. Results: Compared with the MPH, there were pro-poor inequities in hospitalization, emergency utilization, hospitalization out-of-pocket payments, and pro-rich inequities in outpatient out-of-pocket payments for the OPH. The decomposition of the concentration index revealed that chronic disease count made the largest contribution to socioeconomic inequality in outpatient utilization. Age, health insurance, economic activities, and subjective health status also proved more important contributors to inequality. The variables contributing to the hospitalization and emergency utilization inequity were age, education, Charlson's Comorbidity Index, marital status, and income. Conclusion: Because the OPH was more vulnerable to health problems than the MPH and there were pro-poor inequities in medical utilization, hospitalization, and emergency costs, it is necessary to develop a policy that can correct and improve the portion of high contribution to medical utilization of the OPH.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.21 no.9
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• pp.696-703
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• 2021

The purpose of this study was to analyze determinant factors of the life satisfaction of adults with brain lesions disabilities so as to provide suggestion for improving the quality of life. I used the data on second wave 4th Panel Survey of Employment for the Disabled. The total number of respondents was 281, 54 respondents of one-person households and 227 respondents of multi-person households. The data was analyzed using SPSS Win 25.0 program and utilizing χ² test, ANOVA, logistic regression analysis. Results of study were : First, The one-person households group showed middle aged and the elderly, lower income, basis living security recipient, lower help for daily life, lower participation in social activities than multi-person group. Second, level of disability, health status, participation in social activities, experience of discrimination were found to have a significant effect on the life satisfaction of multi-person households. And gender, age, health status, employment, experience of discrimination were found to have a significant effect on the life satisfaction of one-person households. Base on the results of this study, suggested for improving the quality of life in adults with brain lesions disabilities by households type.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.935-939
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• 2000

Objective : Traumatic disc lesion is a lesion with tremendous controversies. The causal relationships of this lesion are not established along with pathogenesis, diagnostic criteria, methods of treatment and the outcome. However, a significant number of patients with back pain after a trauma underwent spinal operations under the diagnosis of traumatic disc lesions. Such an ill-directed operation eventually produce a person with an iatrogenic disability. We present two illustrative cases, and tried to make a preventive method. Methods : We examined the path from mild trauma after a road traffic accident into the iatrogenic disability in two illustrative cases, who requested disability assessment and medical appraisement. We evaluated the reason and background for such an unwanted outcome and tried to find a method to reduce or prevent it by a literature review. Results : These two patients were admitted to the hospital with the diagnosis of lumbar sprain after a road traffic accidents. They eventually underwent spinal surgery under another diagnosis such as traumatic disc herniation or internal disc disruption. They stayed at the hospital for more than six months and finally lost their jobs. They became the disabled at last. Although they complained back pain, they never insisted by themselves that their symptoms were due to the traumatic disc lesion. To prevent such an iatrogenic disability, the doctors should assist them to go-back to the workplace promptly instead of a reckless extension of the treatment period. It may be necessary to evaluate the certificates to extend the treatment period with an additional diagnosis by a medical expert. To reduce the unnecessary long-term admission, a new billing system such as a partial share for the high cost of the treatment by the patients may be needed. Conclusion : It is not the patient but the doctors, who has the responsibility to avoid the unnecessary operations. All treating doctors should try to reduce or prevent such an iatrogenic complication caused by ourselves before we are forced to do so.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2006.05a
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• pp.324-327
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• 2006

The person who gets a ALS(Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) has language disability and physical disability together. A common first symptom is a painless weakness in a hand, foot, arm or leg, which occurs in more than half of all cases. Other early symptoms include muscle weakness of speech. In the early stage of this disease they can communicate with other persons, but it will become increasingly difficult. In our research we have designed and implemented communication tools for them. We have implemented Chunjiin(the Korean computer keyboard) at PDA(personal digital assistant). And we have also implemented software which is consisted of frequently used words.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.57 no.3
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• pp.363-387
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• 2005

The purpose of this study is to find out implications which can be useful for enhancement of user participation in Korean disability services from UK community care experience. In Korea, until recently dominant issue on social services always has been the shortage of service provision. But during the recent 20 years, we experienced great expansion in quantity, as though it may be not yet enough. And more recently, disabled people and organizations began to actively argue for appropriate service in quantity and quality. Now, Korean disability policy and practice are confronted to the difficult and embarrassing task how to meet the need of disabled people with limited resources, and how to response to the disabled people's voice arguing on independence and choice. This task would require somewhat deliberate reform which might be quite different from previous one. UK's experience of implementation and development of community care system would give meaningful implications to Korean disability service policy and practice related to user participation. The results of the review on user participation issues in the UK community care give several implications to Korean disability services. Above all, consumerist approach which is the key strategy adopted by UK community care change is not appropriate for Korean disability service because of largely different service environment. The second implication is about decentralization. To enable decentralization of social service leads to enhancement of user involvement avoiding a lowering of service quality, prerequisite conditions should be secured. A third is securing and making declaration on the disabled person's right to assessment and constructing public service system operated by case management process. Fourth, formalized complaints procedure should be established. Fifth, professional education which enables professionals to encourage participation of disabled people should be developed, and the role of disability movement leading disabled users to participate on their services also should be highlighted.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.362-369
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• 2019

This descriptive study investigated depression among 4,904 elderly people aged 60 to 90 years using the Korean Retirement and Income Study. The depressive group and non-depressive group were classified by the depression self-diagnostic scale, CES-D. The effects of general characteristics, disability, disability type, IADL, and social support on depression were examined. A t-test, chi-squared test, and logistic regression analysis were used to identify risk factors affecting depression. The average age of the depressive group was 75.10 years, which was higher than the average age of the non-depressive group (73.44 years), indicating that depression increased with age. Elderly who were female, elderly with no spouse, elderly with lower educational attainment and with a lower household income were in the depressed group. The score to perform IADL of disabled persons was higher than that of non-disabled persons, and the social support was lower. Logistic regression analysis performed to determine the risk factors affecting depression revealed that it was affected by disability and type of disability. Although this study has some limitations, the results presented herein can be used as a basis for understanding elderly with disabilities and developing future healthcare programs for them.