No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Telemedicine

No abstract available.

No abstract available.
Telemedicine

No abstract available.
Telemedicine

No abstract available.

u-Health based on ubiquitous information and communication network is being considered as an alternative to the mainstream face-to-face healthcare services in addition to its supportive functions. Traditional healthcare system has inherent problems such as limited accessibility and inadequate fulfillment of service needs to the underserved populations. Proponents of u-Health suggest that it will provide solutions to those problems. There have been many trials and pilot projects for telemedicine since 1988 in Korea, and the system is now called "u-Health". After legislation of clause regarding telehealth in the Korean medical law in 2002, local governments have made several attempts to utilize u-Health system to the patients with chronic disease living in rural under-served area. Recently, Korean government has implemented u-Health trial projects about tehemedicine, monitoring chronic disease, and providing homecare in the three underserved rural and many-islands area. Patients' perceived level of satisfaction, preference, attitude, and usability of u-Health was significantly high. Patient's compliance to u-Health has improved over time. A strategic approach based on the innovative and proactive mindset to the u-Health is strongly needed. At the time of u-Health implementation in the medically underserved area, utilization of both u-Health center and mobile clinic is recommended to achieve operational efficiency, and ensure high quality of service. Although u-Health is effective and supportive method to the mainstream face-to-face healthcare, we should be cautious, since u-Health model needs more development and more rigorous experiments.
Chronic Disease ; Compliance ; Delivery of Health Care ; Dietary Sucrose ; Humans ; Jurisprudence ; Korea ; Medically Underserved Area ; Pilot Projects ; Telemedicine ; Vulnerable Populations

No abstract available.
Delivery of Health Care* ; Statistics as Topic*

OBJECTIVES: We reviewed applications of big data analysis of healthcare and social services in developed countries, and subsequently devised a framework for such an analysis in Korea. METHODS: We reviewed the status of implementing big data analysis of health care and social services in developed countries, and strategies used by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea (Government 3.0). We formulated a conceptual framework of big data in the healthcare and social service sectors at the national level. As a specific case, we designed a process and method of social big data analysis on suicide buzz. RESULTS: Developed countries (e.g., the United States, the UK, Singapore, Australia, and even OECD and EU) are emphasizing the potential of big data, and using it as a tool to solve their long-standing problems. Big data strategies for the healthcare and social service sectors were formulated based on an ICT-based policy of current government and the strategic goals of the Ministry of Health and Welfare. We suggest a framework of big data analysis in the healthcare and welfare service sectors separately and assigned them tentative names: 'health risk analysis center' and 'integrated social welfare service network'. A framework of social big data analysis is presented by applying it to the prevention and proactive detection of suicide in Korea. CONCLUSIONS: There are some concerns with the utilization of big data in the healthcare and social welfare sectors. Thus, research on these issues must be conducted so that sophisticated and practical solutions can be reached.
Australia ; Delivery of Health Care* ; Developed Countries ; Korea ; Public Health Surveillance ; Singapore ; Social Welfare ; Social Work ; Statistics as Topic* ; Suicide ; United States

OBJECTIVES: We were to analyze the effect of managing metabolic syndrome using a u-health service in a health center. METHODS: We collected biometric data from 316 subjects living in a county (gun) in South Korea before and after the introduction of uhealth services in 2010. Analysis was done by contingency table using SPSS and latent growth model using AMOS. RESULTS: We found that regional u-health services affected instance of metabolic syndrome. Further, biometrics and health behavior improved. After six months of u-health services, the number of subjects with three or more factors for metabolic syndrome decreased by 62.5%; 63.3% of regular drinkers stopped drinking; 83.3% of subjects who rarely exercised began to exercise twice a week or more; and 60.9% of smokers stopped smoking. CONCLUSIONS: U-health services can change health behavior and biometrics to manage metabolic syndrome in rural areas. The usefulness of u-health services is discussed.
Disease Management ; Health Behavior ; Republic of Korea