• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.185-189
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• 2006

It is the actual state of the medical society in our country that many graduates of medical schools want to be clinicians, and accordingly Korea's medical situation is relatively too focused on curative medicine. However, this situation is changing due to several factors including a growing number of doctors, inappropriate regulations for medical fees, changes in social status of doctors themselves, and excessive competition between doctors. Furthermore, we expect more advances in medical field of Korea since Korean government started to attach great importance to sciences and produced policies to support sciences, and as a result, more and more interest and effort in the fields of basic research including preventive medicine is being attached especially by young doctors as compared against the past. However, decline of clinical medicine fields doesn't always mean bright future for the field of preventive medicine. True future is possible and meaningful only when we prepare for it by ourselves. In other words, as the promising future is closed to one who spares no effort, we shouldn't fear to oppose unknown challenges and simultaneously need to support colleagues who bear such a positive mind. It is the most important thing for our preventive medicine doctors to evaluate the past and the present of preventive medicine and to foster a prospective mind to prepare for the future of preventive medicine. I set forth my several views according to directions for the development of preventive medicine which we already discussed and publicized in the academic circle of preventive medicine. Those directions are recommendation of clinical preventive medicine, promotion of preventive medicine specialty, fostering the next generations, improving the quality of genetic epidemiologic study, participation in control of environmental pollution and food safety, contribution to chronic disease control, and preparation to role in medical services for unified Korea.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.75-81
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• 2013

The subinternship (student internship), a subtype of bedside and clinical training was first developed in the United States. Currently, some medical schools conduct a student internship and many other universities are considering the implementation of a student internship in Korea. If the intern system is abrogated beginning in 2016 as in the United States, then the importance of the student internship will be greatly emphasized for clinical training. To produce good and competent medical doctors, members of medical schools and affiliated hospitals must acknowledge the role of the educational hospital and support student internships. In addition, the effort of the medical community to develop and apply a standard curriculum to the student internship is also required. Above all, the attention of society and the nation is essential to make legal policy changes regarding the conducting of student internships and enhance understanding about the authorized practices in university hospitals. The medical community's effort to draw attention to this issue is greatly required to implement a student internship at this time.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.73-79
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• 2001

Objectives : To examine predictors of successful control for selfishness, dishonesty, resentment, and fear(SDRF) among Korean Alcoholics Anonymous(AA) members. Methods : This study was a cross-sectional study. The study group included members from 18 different AA groups which were enrolled in the Korean AA Association in 1998. 207 Out of 300 self administered questionnaires were completed by AA members (response rate 69.0%). Alcoholics who attended AA meetings were divided into two groups according to their self reported level of success in SDRF control; one with very successful experience after AA participation and the other with little or no success. In this study, the general characteristics, AA activities, relapse experience, and degree of effort exerted for SDRF control were compared between two groups. In order to study predictors of successful SDRF control after joining AA, 4 logistic regression analyses were performed for each of the 4 SDRF indices. Results : The proportion of those reporting a 'very successful' experience was 19.9% for selfishness, 20.7% for dishonesty, 25.5% for resentment, and 24.7% for fear. After control for the effect of general characteristics, the practice of the 12th step(taking alcoholics to an AA meeting after conveying messages) was found to be a significant predictor for the successful control of both selfishness(OR=6.04) and the dishonesty(OR=7.77). And individuals making every effort for SDRF control showed more successful control of selfishness(OR=4.10), dishonesty(OR=4.01, and fear(OR=34.89). Conclusions : Bivariate and multivariate analyses demonstrated that especially practicing the 12th step and making every effort themselves, may help alcoholics to control SDRF successfully after joining AA.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.419-421
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• 2007

Objectives : The aim of this study was to introduce the concept of health inequalities, and to discuss the underlying assumptions and ethical backgrounds associated with the issue, as well as the theoretical and practical implications of health inequalities. Methods : Based on a review of the literature, we summarize the concepts of health inequalities and inequities and discuss the underlying assumptions and ethical backgrounds associated with these issues from the view of social justice theory. We then discuss the theoretical and practical implications of health inequalities. Results : Health inequality involves ethical considerations, such as judgments on fairness, and it could provide a sensitive barometer to reflect the fairness of social arrangements. Discussion on health inequalities could deepen our understanding of the social etiology of health and provide a basis for the development of comprehensive and integrative social policies. Conclusions : Health equity is not a social goal in and of itself, but should be considered as a part of a broader effort to seek social justice.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.2 s.46
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• pp.313-325
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• 1994

A cross-sectional study was conducted in an effort to investigate the effect of air pollution on respiratory symptoms. Two groups of female aged more than 20 living in the unpolluted rural area of Taebul (n=159) and urban area of Taegu (n=140) were selected. The ATS-DLD-78 questionnaire was translated into Korean and administered with minor modification. The proportion of smoker was less than 1% in both area. Exposure to smoking and higher educational level were more frequent in Taegu. Age-adjusted prevalence rates of 'chronic cough', 'chronic sputum', 'wheezing', and 'dyspnea' were higher in Taegu than in Taebul. In particular, the prevalence rate of 'chronic sputum' in Taegu was found to be higher, which was statistically significant. Exposure to smoking and education level were not concerned with all respiratory symptom prevalence rates. In conclusion, this study Indicates that an urban factor is related to the rates of respiratory symptoms in Korea.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.100-108
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• 2018

Objectives: Family members are often cancer patients' primary source of social and emotional support and make a major contribution to how well patients manage their illness. We compared the prevalence of depression in the family members of cancer patients and the general population. Methods: This study used the data from the fourth, fifth, and sixth rounds of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The variable of interest was the presence of a cohabitating cancer patient in the family and the dependent variable was the presence of diagnosed depression. Results: The odds of having medically diagnosed depression in those with a cohabitating cancer patient in the family were significantly higher than among those who did not have cancer patients in their families (odds ratio [OR], 1.56; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.12 to 2.17; p=0.009). The OR for females was 1.59, and this increase was statistically significant (95% CI, 1.09 to 2.31; p=0.02). Conclusions: We need to invest more effort into diagnosing and managing depression in the family members of cancer patients. This will have an impact both on their quality of life and on the well-being of patients, as supporters and caregivers play an instrumental role in helping patients manage their illness.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.3 s.47
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• pp.403-409
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• 1994

A questionnaire survey wds conducted to assess the experience of the needle stick injury in 144 seniors of a medical school during the previous 10 months. One hundred and five of them (73%) had responded. About sixty-nine percent (72 cases) of the respondents had suffered at least one u and there had been 129 injuries in total. Seventy-eight (56.6%) of the injuries took place at the time of the venipuncture. The emergency and operating room incurred 76.7% and 23.3% of the injury, respectively. Injuries with bleeding account for 50.4%. None of the respondents was systematically educated about the prevention of injury. This survey shows that the needle-stick Injury is a great risk for the medical students' health, and that educational effort for its prevention is warranted.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2013

Objectives: We examined the association between social expenditures of the local government and the mortality level in Korea, 2004 to 2010. Methods: We used social expenditure data of 230 local governments during 2004 to 2010 from the Social Expenditure Database prepared by the Korean Institute for Health and Social Affairs. Fixed effect panel data regression analysis was adopted to look for associations between social expenditures and age-standardized mortality and the premature death index. Results: Social expenditures of local governments per capita was not significantly associated with standardized mortality but was associated with the premature death index (decline of 1.0 [for males] and 0.5 [for females] for each expenditure of 100 000 Korean won, i.e., approximately 100 US dollar). As an index of the voluntary effort of local governments, the self-managed project ratio was associated with a decline in the standardized mortality in females (decline of 0.4 for each increase of 1%). The share of health care was not significant. Conclusions: There were associations between social expenditures of the local government and the mortality level in Korea. In particular, social expenditures per capita were significantly associated with a decline in premature death. However, the voluntary efforts of local governments were not significantly related to the decline in premature death.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.5
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• pp.323-332
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• 2019

Objectives: The aim of this study was to describe general practitioners (GPs)' opinions and practices of preventive care and patients' opinions, attitudes, and behaviors towards prevention. Methods: The data stemmed from a cross-sectional national survey on prevention conducted in Switzerland from 2015 to 2016. In total, 170 randomly drawn GPs and 1154 of their patients participated. The GPs answered an online questionnaire and the patients answered a questionnaire administrated by fieldworkers present at their practices. Results: Both patients and GPs agreed that delivering preventive care is the dedicated role of a GP. It appeared that beyond classical topics of prevention such as cardiovascular risk factors, other prevention areas (e.g., cannabis consumption, immunization, occupational risks) were scarcely covered by GPs and reported as little-known by patients. In addition, GPs seemed to use a selective approach to prevention, responding to the clinical context, rather than a systematic approach to health promotion. The results also highlight possibilities to improve prevention in family medicine through options such as more supportive tools and public advertising, more time and more delegated tasks and, finally, a more recognized role. Conclusions: Despite an unfavorable context of prevention within the healthcare system, preventive care in family medicine is reasonably good in Switzerland. However, some limitations appear regarding the topics and the circumstances of preventive care delivery. A global effort is needed to implement necessary changes, and the responsibility should be broadened to other stakeholders.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 1998

This experimental study was carried out to evaluate the effort of Lulianwendang on number of white blood cells and blood platelets in anti-neoplastic agents treated mice. The results were as follows; 1. The group of adriamycine treated and Lulianwendang administered mice were increased significantly in WBC as compared with control group.: 2. The group of cyclophosphamide injected and Lulianwendang administered mice were increased significantly in WBC as compared with control group. 3. The group of vincristin injected and Lulianwendang administered mice were increased significantly in W5C as compared with control group. 4. The group of adriamycine treated and Lulianwendang administered mice were increased significantly in blood platelets as compared with control group. 5. The group of cyclophosphamide injected and Lulianwendang administered mice were increased significantly in blood platelets as compared with control group. 6. The group of vincristin injected and Lulianwendang administered mice were increased significantly in blood platelets as compared with control group. According to the results, we can suggest that Lulianwendang has the hematopoiesis effects against anti-neoplastic agents treated mice.