This study investigated the German experience in the transition to a unified health care system and suggests the following implications for Korea. First, Germany could have made use of the unification process better if there had been a good road map. Therefore Korea must develop a well prepared road map that considers all possible situations. Second, Germany saw an opportunity for the improvement of the health care system in the early stage of unification but could not take advantage of it because the situation changed dramatically and they had not sufficiently prepared for it. Korea should take into account the opportunity for improvement of the present health care system, such as the roles of public health and traditional medicine. Thirdly, the conditions f North Korea seem to be far worse than those of former East Germany and also worse than even those of other transition countries. Therefore Korea should design a long-term road map taking as many variables into account as possible, including the different rigid way of thinking and the interrelationship among the social sectors. Fourthly, during the German reunification unexpected factors changed the direction of the events. Korea should have a separate plan for the unexpected factors.
Ambulatory Care ; Delivery of Health Care/methods/*organization & administration/standards ; Germany ; Germany, East ; Humans ; Medicine, Traditional ; Public Health ; Republic of Korea

Pityriasis Circinata is a rare, symptomless, etiologically uncertain disease, but often associated with chronic illness such as Tuberculosis, diseases of uterus and ovaries. It was first described- in Japan by Toyama(1906), Matsura(1906), then reported in South Africa, France, England, Germany, and North-Africa. However, much more frequent evidence noted in Far East. Many authers agree that this condition is a specific localized type of acquired ichthyosis. This disease is manifested by strictly round scaly, light or dark brownish ichthyotic patches of variable number and diameter. Mainly distributed on trunk, and extremities with freedom of flexure. And having history of winter exacerbation and summer remission. These two cases of pityriasis Circinata are, although Toyama quoted 4 Korean patients reports and 2 cases of Manchuria, the first report in Korea, which have been associated with tuberculous empyema and meningitis, respectively.
China ; Chronic Disease ; Empyema, Tuberculous ; England ; Extremities ; Far East ; Female ; France ; Freedom ; Germany ; Humans ; Ichthyosis ; Japan ; Korea ; Meningitis ; Ovary ; Pityriasis* ; South Africa ; Tuberculosis ; Uterus

OBJECTIVES: This study is to scrutinize the website of Seoul National University Hospital in Korea, Clinique Valmont in Switzerland, Medical Center of the University of Munich in Germany, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to suggest successful communication factors to the medical service providers who deal with Middle Eastern patients. METHODS: Using content analysis and in-depth interviews, this research examines four hospitals commonly visited by Middle East patients. The four hospitals approaches to implementing interactive e-health tools on their web sites are reviewed. Four hospitals selection criterion was process by focus group interview of government officials in UAE health sectors. RESULTS: The way of providing medical information differed by hospitals that used e-health tools. The analysis of each website shows a different way providing medical information, services and education. There are important differences among hospitals. These include decision-making, planning processes and outcomes of implementing e-health tools online, as well as potential obstacles to such implementation. Thus, hospitals can learn and design effective interactive tools by applying e-health tools on their websites. CONCLUSIONS: Each website showed different interactive tools such as traditional functional tools, core e-business tools, patient support tools, visitor related tools, emerging functional tools. By applying the interactive e-health tools sets an objective view for e-health strategy and vision for the hospitals conveying information through the website. According to the type of hospitals and its location different methods of strategy should be applied. Targeting not only the patients but also the general website users will eventually improve health information accessibility.
Education ; Focus Groups ; Germany ; Health Impact Assessment ; Humans ; Korea ; Middle East ; Occupational Groups ; Patient Participation ; Seoul ; Switzerland ; Telemedicine ; United Arab Emirates*

Art therapy 1. is a health service profession based on knowledge of human development and psychological theories and research with integrative approach involving both sides of the brain, the mind, body and spirit, 2. utilizes art media (such as drawing, painting, clay), images, the creative process, and client response to create products that reflect the individual's personal development, abilities, personality, interest, concerns, and conflicts. and 3. has been implemented in assessment as well as treatment since 1961 when Ulman initiated a new terminology "Art Therapy" as described in the "Bulletin of Art Therapy". Art Therapy 1. endorses the idea that the process of making art is inherently therapeutic, 2. takes into consideration thoughts, feelings, behaviors and spirituality within the counselling process, 3. can be used to explore issues of relationships, family, loss, life transitions, abuse, and development, and 4. includes interventions to resolve emotional conflict, increase self-awareness and self-esteem, build social skills, change behaviour, increase coping skills, and to develop strategies for problem solving. For the past four decades in some developed countries like United States, France, Germany, and Japan, art therapy has been actively and positively applied in the fields of psychiatry, pediatrics, and rehabilitation medicine, and also in management of chronic pain and cancer patients as a complementary therapeutic modality and basic research tool as well. In approximately 2001 in Korea, educational program of art therapy on a post-graduate level at medical schools and art therapy clinics at university hospitals were begun. Ever since that time the clinical, academic, and research activities are noticeably growing in number and quality. It is anticipated that if the theories and skills of western medicine, oriental medicine and complementary alternative medicine are put together, the newly established integrative art therapy will make significant contribution toward overall improvement in future medicine.
Adaptation, Psychological ; Art Therapy* ; Brain ; Chronic Pain ; Complementary Therapies ; Developed Countries ; France ; Germany ; Health Services ; Hospitals, University ; Human Development ; Humans ; Integrative Medicine ; Japan ; Korea ; Medicine, East Asian Traditional ; Paint ; Paintings ; Pediatrics ; Problem Solving ; Psychological Theory ; Rehabilitation ; Schools, Medical ; Spirituality ; United States