Measures to strengthen the political ability of the Korean Medical Association

The Korean Medical Association (KMA) must strengthen its political ability in order to respond appropriately to the changing medical environment. Further, this strengthening is necessary to establish the status of the KMA as an expert group for protecting members’ rights.Current Concepts: The KMA has been evaluated to have unsatisfactory performance because of a lack of internal and external political ability, negative social perception of medical associations, and insufficient regulations on the purpose and role of the organization.Discussion and Conclusion: The following are suggested to overcome this situation: First, as an expert group, the KMA must strengthen its ability to develop policy agendas that can lead to health and medical policy issues and establish action strategies. Second, it is necessary to pursue an appropriate balance between public interest and the association’s own interests. Third, efforts to secure the autonomy of the KMA should be continued. Fourth, active support is needed to produce doctors-turned-members of the National Assembly. Fifth, it is necessary to prepare a support system to strengthen political power. Sixth, internal solidarity must be strengthened so that the KMA can be positioned as an indispensable institution among its members. Seventh, it is necessary to induce a change in the social perception of the KMA by strengthening public activities. Eighth, the association’s solidarity with the media, civic groups, and health and medical organizations should be strengthened.

Anatomical position of the mandibular canal in relation to the buccal cortical bone: relevance to sagittal split osteotomy

OBJECTIVES: Classification of the degree of postoperative nerve damage according to contact with the mandibular canal and buccal cortical bone has been studied, but there is a lack of research on the difference in postoperative courses according to contact with buccal cortical bone. In this study, we divided patients into groups according to contact between the mandibular canal and the buccal cortical bone, and we compared the position of the mandibular canal in the second and first molar areas. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Class III patients who visited the Dankook University Dental Hospital were included in this study. The following measurements were made at the second and first molar positions: (1) length between the outer margin of the mandibular canal and the buccal cortical margin (a); (2) mandibular thickness at the same level (b); (3) Buccolingual ratio=(a)/(b)×100; and (4) length between the inferior margin of the mandibular canal and the inferior cortical margin. RESULTS: The distances from the canal to the buccal bone and from the canal to the inferior bone and mandibular thickness were significantly larger in Group II than in Group I. The buccolingual ratio of the canal was larger in Group II in the second molar region. CONCLUSION: If mandibular canal is in contact with the buccal cortical bone, the canal will run closer to the buccal bone and the inferior border of the mandible in the second and first molar regions.

Empowerment of Korean Medical Association with KMA Policy system developing

Recently, the Korean Medical Association (KMA) launched the KMA Policy system based upon the American Medical Association (AMA) Policy system. The KMA's official positions on health issues and medical ethics, as well as its constitution, bylaws, and directives, will be included in the KMA Policy system. The AMA's organizational structure and decision making process provided essential information for developing the KMA Policy system. Through the KMA Policy system, hereafter, the KMA should introduce a procedure not only to decide upon positions on various health issues but also a means to open them to the public. In addition, the KMA can expect the continuity and transparency of work, enhanced benefits to members, public credibility, and growth of its social reputation by means of KMA Policy. Furthermore, the system would be beneficial for both KMA members and the public, as they can easily access KMA Policy, and, in turn, access the healthcare systems of Korea and its medical knowledge. To achieve a successful KMA Policy system, the definite authority and responsibility should be granted to the organizational bodies of the KMA, for example, the House of Delegates and Board of Trustees, and the regional societies and other sections. These various groups must then efficiently divide up their work and cooperate systematically. Moreover, it is crucial that each individual member of the KMA pay much more attention to health issues and participate in the decision making process on KMA Policy.