The current condition of the workers' general health examination in South Korea: a retrospective study

BACKGROUND: Business owners in the Republic of Korea must take part in the workers' general health examination. However, there have been few formal analyses of the uptake of this examination by employees. In the present study, we examined the rates of participation in medical examinations according to age group, health insurance type, and enterprise size, and then compared these results with those of the national general health screening. Furthermore, we determined the distribution of patients with abnormal results for diabetes and hypertension, and outlined the significance and history of domestic health examinations. METHODS: We started by comparing participation rates extracted from the among health examination data of the National Health Insurance Service from 2006–2013 by sex, age, insurance type, and enterprise size of workplace health insurance beneficiaries (i.e., those whose insurance is provided by their workplace). In addition, we analyzed the prevalence rates of abnormal results for hypertension and diabetes, and explored the history and significance of health examinations in the Republic of Korea. RESULTS: The overall participation rate in the primary health examination in 2006 was 56%, and this increased to 72% in 2013. However, the rates of the secondary screening did not increase much. Among workplace policyholders (i.e., those whose insurance is provided by their workplace), the participation rates of workers in enterprises with less than 50 employees were lower than were those in enterprises with 50 or more employees. Notably, the rates and odds ratios of patients with abnormal results for diabetes and hypertension were relatively high, particularly among those working in smaller enterprises. CONCLUSIONS: Although the workers' general health examination has been replaced with the national general health screening, it remains necessary to ensure uniform health management services among all workers in the Republic of Korea. This can, in turn, promote occupational health and improve working conditions throughout the Republic of Korea.

Clinical application of low dose chest CT examination with PACS/RIS-HIS-Health screening system / 实用放射学杂志

Objective To investigate the clinical application of low dose chest CT examination with PACS/RIS-HIS-Health screening system.Methods 6038 subjects underwent chest low-dose CT examination were retrospectively analyzed in this study. With or without PACS/RIS-HIS-Health screening system,the physical examination workload per day,average examination duration and waiting duration were retrospectively calculated and compared,respectively.Results At the same working hours,the low dose chest CT screening workload was sharply increased from 73.87 to 127.4 per day (t=11.526,P<0.001).The mean CT examina-tion duration was decreased from 2.58 to 1.8 minutes per subject (t=8.443,P<0.001).30 percent of waiting duration were saved approximately (t=6.951,P<0.001).All the related management departments could do statistics and analyze the data online with high efficiency via the screening system.Conclusion PACS/RIS-HIS-Health screening system can optimize the workflow and im-prove the work efficiency of chest low-dose CT screening.

The current child and adolescent health screening system: an assessment and proposal for an early and periodic check-up program / 소아과

PURPOSE: Recent changes in the population structure of Korea, such as rapid decline in birth rate and exponential increase in old-aged people, prompted us to prepare a new health improvement program in children and adolescents. METHODS: We reviewed current health screenings applied for children and adolescents in Korea and other developed countries. We collected and reviewed population-based data focused on mortality and morbidity, and other health-related statistical data. We generated problem lists in current systems and developed new principles. RESULTS: Current health screening programs for children and adolescents were usually based on laboratory tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis, and radiologic tests. Almost all of these programs lacked evidence based on population data or controlled studies. In most developed countries, laboratory tests are used only very selectively, and they usually focus on primary prevention of diseases and health improvement using anticipatory guidance. In Korea, statistics on mortality and morbidity reveal that diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, are increasing in all generations. CONCLUSION: We recommend a periodic health screening program with anticipatory guidance, which is focused on growth and developmental surveillance in infants and children. We no longer recommend old programs that are based on laboratory and radiologic examinations. School health screening programs should also be changed to meet current health issues, such as developing a healthier lifestyle to minimize risk behaviors.for example, good mental health, balanced nutrition, and more exercise.