Proportions of non-matching fund by local governments and central government subsidies in local government health budget: focused on 2020 Jeju Self-Governing Province Budget / 農村醫學 地域保健

Objectives@#The purpose of the study was to classify the health and medical service affairs of local governments, and to analyze the proportions of non-matching fund by local governments and central government subsidies for local government health budget. @*Methods@#First of all, health affairs of local governments were classified to categories based on health-related laws and previous studies by review of the authors. In order to specify the scale of local government-led health affairs, we allocated 1,916 budget units into 6 main and 24 sub categories of the health and medical service affairs of local governments for the 2020 health budget of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province. For each categories, we compared the total amounts and the percentages of the 'central government subsidies', 'local government budget - matching fund', and 'local government budget -non-matching fund'. @*Results@#The total health budget of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province accounts for 1.2% of the total budget. Of the total health budget of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province, the proportion of central government subsidies was 39.6% and the proportions of local government budget-matching fund and non-matching fund were 33.8% and 26.6%, respectively. The proportions of non-matching fund by provincial and basic local governments were 37.3% and 19.9%, respectively. @*Conclusion@#In order for local governments to deal with the health problems of residents, it is necessary to secure and spend more local government budget(i.e., non-matching fund by local government) for health affairs in their administrative jurisdiction.

Health Management Experience of Residents through Participation in the Community Based Hypertension and Diabetes Registry Program

Purpose@#This study was conducted to explore the healthcare experience of residents participating in the CommunityBased Hypertension and Diabetes Registry Program. @*Methods@#This study used qualitative content analysis. Data were collected from in depth interviews of fifteen participants, who either participated in the program hosted by the Training Center for Hypertension and Diabetes for more than two years or participated in an intensive one-on-one education program. @*Results@#The results showed that the core theme in healthcare of participants was ‘Proactive healthcare with attention and systematic guidance of experts’. The positive reinforcement of staffs and the improvement of self-efficacy through effective close management were found to be positive influencing factors of participation. The theme consisted of the following categories: ‘Participation in the program with positive expectations on healthcare’, ‘Interest in body and health’, ‘Vitality in life’, ‘Confidence in dealing with disease’, ‘Thankfulness for close care and attention’, and ‘Desire for continuous care’. @*Conclusion@#When establishing policies on managing chronic diseases, a strategy that reflects the results of the study is required. It is necessary to build up emotional relationship among stakeholders, and expand opportunities for close healthcare such as one-on-one customized training, and mutual cooperation with various organizations in the local community.

The Effectiveness of Community-based Muscle and Joint Self Management Program for Older Adults

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of a community-based muscle and joint self-management program with muscle stretching and muscle strengthening exercises for community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: The study was a pre-and-post design in a single group, which examined the effects after the intervention of muscle and joint self-management program for 6 weeks, on the 42 subjects of the elderly who registered in a Community Senior Center in J city. Data analyses were conducted with paired t-test by using a SAS (version 9.2 for Windows) program. RESULTS: The effectiveness of muscle and joint self-management program on shoulder flexibility and right knee extension (flexibility) were significantly improved (t=2.72, p=.010; t=−2.26, p=.029). Joint symptoms (pain, stiffness), physical functioning, depression, fatigue, and left knee extension were not significantly improved after the muscle and joint self-management program. CONCLUSION: The results showed the possibility of this 6-week exercise program in improving shoulder and knee flexibility for community-dwelling older adults.

Study on snack intakes in obese elementary students in Jeju city / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate dietary habits related to weight reduction and snack intake habits of 4th to 5th grade elementary students located in Jeju-si, Jeju, South Korea. METHODS: The 4(th) and 5(th) grade elementary school students (total n = 234, equally matched numbers of normal weight children and overweight/obese children (n = 117/group)) were surveyed using a questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall method in Oct 2015. RESULTS: The percentage of students who experienced reduced food intake to control weight was 26.3% in the normal weight group (NG) and 77.6% in the obese group (OG). Most frequently answered meal for reduced intake was snacks in the NG and dinner in the OG. Percentages of daily calorie intake among subjects were 17.2% for breakfast, 33.8% for lunch, 29.7% for dinner, and 19.3% for snacks. Frequency of snack intake was 2.1 times a week in NG and 1.6 times a week in OG, which showed a statistical difference between body weight groups. Types of snack foods were distinctly different depending on where children consumed them, although no difference was observed between NG and OG. In addition, snack intake level of low energy and nutrient-dense foods was significantly lower in the OG compared to the NG, whereas snack intake level of energy dense and low-nutritive foods was not different between the OG and NG. CONCLUSION: Taken together, snack intake level with consideration of frequency and amount of snack intake showed that children in the OG consumed significantly less low energy and nutrient-dense foods compared to the NG. Therefore, nutritional education for choosing healthy snack foods for children regardless of body weight status is crucial based on family-school links.

Public Awareness of Stroke and Its Predicting Factors in Korea: a National Public Telephone Survey, 2012 and 2014

The aim of this study was to investigate time trends in the public awareness of stroke and its predicting factors. The target population was 9,600 community-dwelling adults, aged 19–79 years, in 16 metropolitan cities and provinces in Korea. The survey samples in 2012 and 2014 were selected separately (entirely different sets of subjects) using a proportionate quota sampling method. Information concerning knowledge of stroke and demographics was collected by trained telephone interviewers using random digit dialing. After excluding subjects with a non-response or refusal to answer any question, the analyses included 8,191 subjects in 2012 and 8,127 subjects in 2014. Respondents’ awareness of stroke warning signs (numbness or weakness, difficulty speaking or understanding speech, dizziness, visual impairment, and severe headache) was highest for difficulty speaking or understanding speech (80.9% in 2012 and 86.4% in 2014). There were significant increases in the proportion of respondents understanding the appropriate action (i.e., calling an ambulance) at the time of stroke occurrence (59.6% to 67.1%), and in the proportion aware of the general need for prompt treatment (86.7% to 89.8%). In multivariable logistic regression analysis, older age, higher education level, higher household income, current non-smoking, exposure to stroke-related public relations materials, and experience of stroke education were significantly associated with both high knowledge of stroke warning signs and awareness of the need for prompt treatment. Between 2012 and 2014, the public’s awareness of stroke increased significantly. More specialized interventions, including public relations materials and education, should focus on subgroups who have lower stroke knowledge.

Effects of an Educational Program for the High Risk Group of Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease: Awareness of the Warning Signs and Symptoms of Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stroke in the Aged at Senior Centers / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to investigate the effects of a health education program for the aged on knowledge about the warning signs and symptoms of acute myocardial infarction and stroke. METHODS: Data from 337 elderly people (159 participated and 178 non-participated) at senior centers in Jeju-si were collected by 1 to 1 interview from January to March 2012, one year after the education program provided. Two stages of study were performed: Cross-sectional, case-control study on the level of knowledge about the warning signs and symptoms; and multivariate logistic regression to fine out predictors of optimal awareness. RESULTS: No significant discrepancy of knowledge level between case and control group was found. The knowledge level as high as a surge was shown in both groups one year later. A surge of knowledge had been shown after the education provided in one month. The factors affecting the optimal level of knowledge were education (Odds ratio 3.01; Confidence Interval 1.72-5.26; P-value <0.001) and 7 days of watching TV news per week (2.97; 1.68-5.23; P<0.001). However, participation in the health education was not significant (1.60; 0.98-2.61; P=0.059). CONCLUSIONS: The effects of a targeted program in high-risk groups for cardio-cerebrovascular disease are only guaranteed in the enhancement by a population-based mass-media education campaign.

Application of Revised Nursing Work Index to Hospital Nurses of South Korea

PURPOSE: Based on the Revised Nursing Work Index (NWI-R), this research aimed to develop a Korean Hospital General Inpatient Unite-Nursing Work Index (KGU-NWI). This study also aimed to compare the common points and differences between the subfactors of the KGU-NWI and the subfactors from previous studies. METHODS: Based on opinions from 3,151 nurses in Korean hospital general inpatient unit, this research used 57 items of NWI-R and the principal axis factor analysis for deriving subfactors. We evaluated the convergent validity through factor analysis and the content validity of KGU-NWI in terms of the association between nurses' job outcome and the subfactors derived. RESULTS: Six subfactors and 26 items for KGU-NWI were derived from NWI-R. Among them, 'physician-nurse relationship', 'adequate nurse staffing' and 'organizational support and management of hospital' were the same with results from previous studies. In addition, two subfactors, 'participation of decision-making processes' and 'education for improving quality of care', which were similar with results from previous Korean studies, were newly added by using Korean hospital cases. In contrast to previous Korean studies, a unique subfactor this study found was 'nursing processes'. This research confirmed that the six subfactors were highly correlated with job satisfaction, intention to leave, and quality of health care, which represented a nurse's job outcome. CONCLUSION: KGU-NWI including six subfactors and 26 items is an applicable instrument to investigate nurse work environment in Korean hospital general inpatient unit.

Feasibility and Early Outcomes of Intensivist-Led Critical Care after Major Trauma in the Korean ICU

PURPOSE: Substantial evidence supports the benefits of an intensivist model of critical care delivery. However, currently, this mode of critical care delivery has not been widely adopted in Korea. We hypothesized that intensivist-led critical care is feasible and would improve ICU mortality after major trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A trauma registry from May 2009 to April 2011 was reviewed retrospectively. We evaluated the relationship between modes of ICU care (open vs. intensivist) and in-hospital mortality following severe injury [Injury Severity Score (ISS) >15]. An intensivist-model was defined as ICU care delivered by a board-certified physician who had no other clinical responsibilities outside the ICU and who is primarily available to the critically ill or injured patients. ISS and Revised Trauma Score were used as measure of injury severity. The Trauma and Injury Severity Score methodology was used to calculate each individual patient's probability of survival. RESULTS: Of the 251 patients, 57 patients were treated by an intensivist [intensivist group (IG)] while 194 patients were not [non-intensivist group (NIG)]. The ISS of IG was significantly higher than that for NIG (26.5 vs. 22.3, p=0.023). The hospital mortality rate for IG was significantly lower than that for NIG (15.8% and 27.8%, p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The intensivist model of critical care is feasible, and there is room for improvement in the care of major trauma patients. Although trauma systems take time to mature, future studies are needed to evaluate the best model of critical care delivery for severely injured patients in Korea.

Trends in the Incidence of Hospitalized Acute Myocardial Infarction and Stroke in Korea, 2006-2010

This study attempted to calculate and investigate the incidence of hospitalized acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke in Korea. Using the National Health Insurance claim data, we investigated patients whose main diagnostic codes included AMI or stroke during 2006 to 2010. As a result, we found out that the number of AMI hospitalized patients had decreased since 2006 and amounted to 15,893 in 2010; and that the number of those with stroke had decreased since 2006 and amounted to 73,501 in 2010. The age-standardized incidence rate of hospitalized AMI, after adjustment for readmission, was 41.6 cases per 100,000-population in 2006, and had decreased to 29.4 cases in 2010 (for trend P < 0.001). In the case of stroke was estimated at 172.8 cases per 100,000-population in 2006, and had decreased to 135.1 cases in 2010 (for trend P < 0.001). In conclusion, the age-standardized incidence rates of both hospitalized AMI and stroke in Korea had decreased continuously during 2006 to 2010. We consider this decreasing trend due to the active use of pharmaceuticals, early vascular intervention, and the national cardio-cerebrovascular disease care project as the primary and secondary prevention efforts.

A job analysis of care helpers / 보건의료교육평가

The aim of this study was to examine the roles of care helpers through job analysis. To do this, this study used the Developing A Curriculum Method (DACUM) to classify job content and a multi-dimensional study design was applied to identify roles and create a job description by looking into the appropriateness, significance, frequency, and difficulty of job content as identified through workshops and cross-sectional surveys conducted for appropriateness verification. A total of 418 care helpers working in nursing facilities and community senior service facilities across the country were surveyed. The collected data were analyzed using PASW 18.0 software. Six duties and 18 tasks were identified based on the job model. Most tasks were found to be "important task", scoring 4.0 points or above. Physical care duties, elimination care, position changing and movement assistance, feeding assistance, and safety care were identified as high frequency tasks. The most difficult tasks were emergency prevention, early detection, and speedy reporting. A summary of the job of care helpers is providing physical, emotional, housekeeping, and daily activity assistance to elderly patients with problems in independently undertaking daily activities due to physical or mental causes in long-term care facilities or at the client's home. The results of this study suggest a task-focused examination, optimizing the content of the current standard teaching materials authorized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare while supplementing some content which was identified as task elements but not included in the current teaching materials and fully reflecting the actual frequency and difficulty of tasks.

Prognostic Impact of Charlson Comorbidity Index Obtained from Medical Records and Claims Data on 1-year Mortality and Length of Stay in Gastric Cancer Patients / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We tried to evaluate the agreement of the Charlson comorbidity index values (CCI) obtained from different sources (medical records and National Health Insurance claims data) for gastric cancer patients. We also attempted to assess the prognostic value of these data for predicting 1-year mortality and length of the hospital stay (length of stay). METHODS: Medical records of 284 gastric cancer patients were reviewed, and their National Health Insurance claims data and death certificates were also investigated. To evaluate agreement, the kappa coefficient was tested. Multiple logistic regression analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were performed to evaluate and compare the prognostic power for predicting 1 year mortality and length of stay. RESULTS: The CCI values for each comorbid condition obtained from 2 different data sources appeared to poorly agree (kappa: 0.00-0.59). It was appeared that the CCI values based on both sources were not valid prognostic indicators of 1-year mortality. Only medical record-based CCI was a valid prognostic indicator of length of stay, even after adjustment of covariables (beta = 0.112, 95% CI = [0.017-1.267]). CONCLUSIONS: There was a discrepancy between the data sources with regard to the value of CCI both for the prognostic power and its direction. Therefore, assuming that medical records are the gold standard for the source for CCI measurement, claims data is not an appropriate source for determining the CCI, at least for gastric cancer.

Retroperitoneal Laparoscopic Ureterolithotomy for Upper Ureter Stones

We evaluated the role of retroperitoneal laparoscopic ureterolithotomy (RPLU) for upper ureter stones. Between February 1998 and July 2004, 12 patients (10 men and 2 women) underwent RPLU for upper ureter stones (mean size 18.1 mm, range 10-25). RPLU was carried out in 5 patients as a salvage treatment after failed shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) (3) and both of failed SWL and ureteroscopy (URS) (2), and in 7 patients as primary treatment for large impacted stones. Total 6 of 12 cases were converted to open surgery. The reason of open conversion was failure of locating ureter due to severe adhesion in 5 cases and vascular injury in 1 case. In 6 successful cases, mean operation time, mean estimated blood loss, and mean postoperative hospital stay were respectively 109 min (90-120 min), 50 mL (10-100 mL), 4.6 days (2-7 days). There was no serious postoperative complication except for one patient who showed delayed urinary leakage but was cured with conservative management. Our experience suggested that RPLU was not easy to perform simply because it was indicated mainly in ureter stones with severe adhesion or after failed SWL and/or URS. Nevertheless, it can be considered as a primary procedure before open ureterolithotomy.

Severity-Adjusted Mortality Rates: The Case of CABG Surgery / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: To develop a model that will predict the mortality of patients undergoing Coronary Artery Bypass Graft (CABG) and evaluate the performance of hospitals. METHODS: Data from 564 CABGs performed in six general hospitals were collected through medical record abstraction by registered nurses. Variables studied involved risk factors determined by severity measures. Risk modeling was performed through logistic regression and validated with cross-validation. The statistical performance of the developed model was evaluated using c-statistic, R2, and Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic. Hospital performance was assessed by severity-adjusted mortalities. RESULTS: The developed model included age, sex, BUN, EKG rhythm, Congestive Heart Failure at admission, acute mental change within 24 hours, and previous angina pectoris history. The c-statistic and R2 were 0.791 and 0.101, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow statistic was 10.3(p value=0.2415). One hospital had a significantly higher mortality rate than the average mortality rate, while others were not significantly different. CONCLUSION: Comparing the quality of service by severity adjusted mortality rates, there were significant differences in hospital performance. The severity adjusted mortality rate of CABG surgery may be an indicator for evaluating hospital performance in Korea.