Quasi-Experiment Study on Effectiveness Evaluation of Health Communication Strategies

This experimental study examined differences in doctor-patient relationships according to the health communication strategies during cases of medical malpractices occurred at primary medical institution. A total of 116 subjects aged in their 20s-50s was sampled. The first medical malpractice scenario chosen was the medical malpractice case most frequently registered at the Korean Medical Association Mutual Aid and the second scenario was associated with materials and devices as the cause of malpractice. Four types of crisis communication strategy messages were utilized, consisting of denial, denial + ingratiation, apology, and apology + ingratiation. Subjects were classified into four research groups by crisis communication strategy to measure levels of trust, control mutuality, commitment, and satisfaction, before and after the occurrence of medical malpractice and application of communication strategies. The findings of this study revealed that the apology strategy, compared with the denial strategy, showed a smaller difference before and after the application of communication strategies in all variables of trust (F = 8.080, F = 5.768), control mutuality (F = 8.824, F = 9.081), commitment (F = 9.815, F = 8.301), and satisfaction (F = 8.723, F = 5.638). Further, a significant interaction effect was shown between variables. The apology strategy, compared with the denial strategy, was effective in the improvement of doctor-patient relationships in both Scenarios I and II. For Scenario I, the apology strategy without ingratiation boosted commitment and satisfaction, but for Scenario II, utilizing the apology strategy with ingratiation boosted the effectiveness of trust and commitment.

Necessity and the strategy to establish a national poison center in Korea: through needs survey analysis and database status for Chemical Accident Emergency Respond Information System

This study is to prepare promotional strategies of establishment of the Korea Poison Center based on the chemicals and chemical products and the database (DB) construction status of Chemical Accident Emergency Respond Information System (CEIS) and the DB needs survey of the lay person. The methods of CEIS DB construction and hazard classification are; first, the researchers required material safety data sheet from the manufacturer/distributor and verified its composition/information on ingredients. Second, the researchers conducted the hazard classification of the chemical products by the mixtures classification according to the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS, 3rd edition) guidelines based on the verified composition/information on ingredients. The emergency measures information was established by the Emergency Department healthcare professionals. Health hazards are classified by using 13 reference databases, which include European Chemical Substances Information System (IUCLID) and IARC, and 4 reference books like Emergency Management Guides(ERG). As the result of analyzing the DB construction status of chemical products, it showed in the order of, 180 for vehicle products (15.0%), 162 for printing products (14.0%), 129 for paint (11.0%) and 120 for adhesives (10.0%). Currently in 2013, emergency respond information was established for a total of 2,400 chemicals (includes 1200 chemical products). As the result for conducting a needs survey for the establishment of emergency respond information targeting on the general public and professionals, it showed the highest level of demand for the establishment of emergency respond information on 'household products (2.87 points)' for both lay person and experts. As the result of analyzing the Q&A of the lay person until March 2013, through CEIS, it showed the highest inquiry on disinfectant and germicide products with 11 issues (27.5%). World Health Organization recommends to provide emergency consultation and information on poisoning accidents and operate a 24 hour national poison center able to perform the research functions for every nation. However, there is no such national poison center in Korea, and it can be said fundamental reform of the national poison management system and establishment of national poison center is urgent, considering the fact social demand and citizens from recent consecutive chemical poisoning accidents are increasing.

Hazard Classification of Household Chemical Products in Korea according to the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and labeling of Chemicals

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to review the validity of the need for the application of the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) to household chemical products in Korea. The study also aimed to assess the severity of health and environmental hazards of household chemical products using the GHS. METHODS: 135 products were classified as 'cleaning agents and polishing agents' and 98 products were classified as 'bleaches, disinfectants, and germicides.' The current status of carcinogenic classification of GHS and carcinogenicity was examined for 272 chemical substances contained in household chemical products by selecting the top 11 products for each of the product categories. In addition, the degree of toxicity was assessed through analysis of whether the standard of the Republic of Korea's regulations on household chemical products had been exceeded or not. RESULTS: According to GHS health and environmental hazards, "acute toxicity (oral)" was found to be the highest for two product groups, 'cleaning agents and polishing agents', and 'bleaches, disinfectants, and germicides' (result of classification of 233 household chemical products) at 37.8% and 52.0% respectively. In an analysis of carcinogenicity assuming a threshold of IARC 2B for the substances in household chemical products, we found 'cleaning agents and polishing agents' to contain 12 chemical substances and 'bleaches, disinfectants, and germicides' 11 chemical substances. CONCLUSION: Some of the household chemical products were found to have a high hazard level including acute toxicity and germ cell mutagenicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Establishing a hazard information delivery system including the application of GHS to household chemical products in Korea is urgent as well.