Patient education is important for successful management of atopic dermatitis; however, due to limited time and resources, patient education remains insufficient. This study aimed to investigate the current state of education provided by Korean dermatologists, pediatric allergists, and allergists to patients with atopic dermatitis. A questionnaire survey consisting of items regarding educational programs for patients with atopic dermatitis was conducted via e-mail. In total, 153 participants responded to the questionnaires, and 26.8% indicated that they have had separate educational programs. The workforce involved in the educational program included nurses, residents or fellows, dieticians, pharmacists, and clinical psychologists. Most education protocols addressed the characteristics and natural course of atopic dermatitis and environmental management. Overall, 96.7% of the participants replied that an additional charge is needed for education; moreover, additional assistance from an academic society or association, in the form of medical staff, organized data, and advertisement, is required to develop and provide a well-structured educational program. A standardized education protocol will effectively provide appropriate education for patients with atopic dermatitis. Arrangement of education fees, covered by the National Health Insurance Service, will lead to the establishment of a structured educational program and participation of an additional medical workforce.
Dermatitis, Atopic ; Education ; Electronic Mail ; Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Korea ; Medical Staff ; National Health Programs ; Nutritionists ; Patient Education as Topic ; Pharmacists ; Psychology

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the diagnosis and severity of patients who were referred to tertiary medical centers according to the type and function of the referral hospitals. METHODS: First-visit patients referred from July 2015 to June 2016 were retrospectively reviewed with regard to referral hospital, final diagnosis, treatment necessity, and medical fees for the six months after their first hospital visit. Based on these data, differences in type and function of medical institution were examined. RESULTS: In a comparison of hospitals according to their number of beds, clinics, hospitals and, tertiary hospitals had no differences in the ratio of patients who needed treatment (p = 0.075) and their medical fees over six months (p = 0.372). When hospitals were classified by functional capability in terms of doctors' medical specialty, increasing ratios of patients requiring medical treatment (p < 0.001) and medical fees for six months (p < 0.001) were found in the order of non-eye specialists, eye specialists, and eye specialists in trainee hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Efficient healthcare delivery systems should classify medical institutions by functionality capability based on medical specialties rather than hospital size according to the number of beds.
Delivery of Health Care ; Diagnosis ; Fees, Medical ; Health Facility Size ; Humans ; Ophthalmology* ; Referral and Consultation* ; Retrospective Studies ; Specialization ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Tertiary Healthcare

Surgery is a very hands-on area of medical care, in that surgeons identify problems in patients' bodies and directly change them through operations. Therefore, it is not only necessary for surgeons to have a high level of expertise, but also to take considerable responsibility for the outcomes of each operation. However, surgery, which was once an object of envy, has long been a process to avoid, due to various circumstances, such as abnormal medical expenses in the medical field and social phenomena that avoids difficult work. It is unfortunate that medical professionals do not receive sympathy from others within the same medical field because of the general difficulties of the profession. The fundamental problem in this situation is the abnormal profit structure of the Korean medical system. Efforts by various related organizations will be needed to objectively evaluate the problems of the current medical insurance system and to make reasonable adjustments considering the difficulty, frequency, and resource-intensiveness of medical care.
Diagnosis-Related Groups ; Fees, Medical ; Insurance ; Korea ; Surgeons

PURPOSE: This study was performed to suggest a realistic measure of charging for 119 emergency medical services (EMS) in Korea using Delphi study targeting emergency medical specialists. METHODS: The Delphi study was conducted four times targeting 24 emergency medical specialists. The first Delphi survey contained five categories as follows: Subjects of charging for 119 EMS, method of charging, strategy of implementation, utilization of fund, measure of quality improvement. In the second and third Delphi surveys, respondents were asked to indicate the level of importance with the questionnaire statements on a Likert scale, ranging from 0 to 5. The final consultation survey collected opinions on the system of charging for 119 EMS. RESULTS: The results from the first three Delphi surveys showed subjects of charging, method of charging, strategy of implementation, utilization of fund, and measure of quality improvement for 119 EMS. The fourth Delphi survey resulted in step 1 (classification of severity), step 2 (scene of accident), and step 3 (classification of severity at hospital). The classification of severity in steps 1 and 2 should be evaluated by first grade emergency medical technicians, and the classification of severity in step 3 should be evaluated by a person notified by the Ministry of Health and Welfare. Non-emergent patients should pay for the charge of 119 EMS to the hospital. CONCLUSION: Delphi study proposed charging for 119 EMS based on three levels of severity. This study suggests that charging for EMS can reduce unnecessary emergency calls and offer proper medical services to emergency patients.
Classification ; Delphi Technique* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Medical Services* ; Emergency Medical Technicians ; Fees and Charges ; Financial Management ; Humans ; Korea ; Methods ; Quality Improvement ; Specialization ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The enhanced primary care demonstration (EPD) was launched in November 2014 to provide high-quality care for people with chronic illnesses. In the EPD, comprehensive assessment and care planning (CAP) is a critical component, along with behavior modification and case management services. In this study, we measured CAP duration and calculated the fee for CAP sessions performed with patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. In 5 primary care clinics participating in the EPD, the duration of CAP sessions and usual consultations was measured. The duration of CAP sessions was measured on 2 separate occasions because CAP involves 2 separate consultations, including an initial consultation for comprehensive patient assessment and laboratory testing and a follow-up consultation for creating a care plan based on the assessment and test results. The CAP fee was calculated as the ratio of CAP time to the usual consultation time. The median (interquartile range) and the mean ± standard deviation of CAP duration were 15.4 (7.1) minutes and 15.6 ± 4.2 minutes, respectively. The first and second CAP sessions lasted for 5.3 and 4.6 times longer than usual consultations, respectively. The calculated CAP fees were 76,299 won (median) and 65,766 won (mean). The length of CAP sessions for patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus was approximately 5 times longer than that of usual consultations. If consultation lengths were measured in a representative patient sample, it would be possible to improve the external validity of the measurements.
Behavior Therapy ; Case Management ; Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Fees and Charges* ; Fees, Medical ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Patient Care Planning ; Primary Health Care* ; Referral and Consultation

The enhanced primary care demonstration (EPD) was launched in November 2014 to provide high-quality care for people with chronic illnesses. In the EPD, comprehensive assessment and care planning (CAP) is a critical component, along with behavior modification and case management services. In this study, we measured CAP duration and calculated the fee for CAP sessions performed with patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus. In 5 primary care clinics participating in the EPD, the duration of CAP sessions and usual consultations was measured. The duration of CAP sessions was measured on 2 separate occasions because CAP involves 2 separate consultations, including an initial consultation for comprehensive patient assessment and laboratory testing and a follow-up consultation for creating a care plan based on the assessment and test results. The CAP fee was calculated as the ratio of CAP time to the usual consultation time. The median (interquartile range) and the mean ± standard deviation of CAP duration were 15.4 (7.1) minutes and 15.6 ± 4.2 minutes, respectively. The first and second CAP sessions lasted for 5.3 and 4.6 times longer than usual consultations, respectively. The calculated CAP fees were 76,299 won (median) and 65,766 won (mean). The length of CAP sessions for patients with hypertension and/or diabetes mellitus was approximately 5 times longer than that of usual consultations. If consultation lengths were measured in a representative patient sample, it would be possible to improve the external validity of the measurements.
Behavior Therapy ; Case Management ; Chronic Disease ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diagnosis ; Fees and Charges* ; Fees, Medical ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Patient Care Planning ; Primary Health Care* ; Referral and Consultation

OBJECTIVES: The Korean Resource Based Relative Value Scale (K-RBRVS) was introduced in 2001 as an alternative of the previous medical fee schedule. Unfortunately, most neurosurgeons are unfamiliar with the details of the K-RBRVS and how it affects the reimbursement rates for the surgical procedures we perform. We summarize the K-RBRVS in brief, and discuss on how the relative value (RV) of the spinal neurosurgical procedures have changed since the introduction in 2001. METHODS: We analyzed the change of spinal procedure RVs since 2001, and compared it with the change of values in the brain neurosurgical procedures. RVs of 88 neurospinal procedures on the list of K-RBRVS were analyzed, while 24 procedures added during annual revisions were excluded. RESULTS: During the past 15 years, RVs for spinal procedures have increased 62.8%, which is not so different with the cumulative increase of consumer prices during this time period or the increase rate of 92.3% for brain surgeries. When comparing the change of RVs in more complex procedures between spinal and brain neurosurgery, the increase rate was 125.3% and 133%, respectively. CONCLUSION: More effort of the society of spinal surgeons seems to be needed to get adequate reimbursement, as there have been some discrimination compared to brain surgeons in the increase of RVs. And considering the relative underestimation of spinal neurosurgeons’ labor, more objective measures of neurospinal surgeons’ work and productivity should be developed for impartial reimbursement.
Appointments and Schedules ; Brain ; Discrimination (Psychology) ; Efficiency ; Fees, Medical ; Neurosurgeons ; Neurosurgery* ; Neurosurgical Procedures ; Relative Value Scales* ; Surgeons

The government has implemented a regional trauma center project since 2012 with the goal of reducing the preventable trauma death rate in Korea to the level of developed countries. Regional trauma centers should organically cooperate with the government and the Korean Surgical Society to ensure that seriously injured patients are treated at regional level 1 trauma centers and to lead quantitative and qualitative growth with the aim of ensuring leadership within the regional trauma system. We expect that the finances of trauma centers will stabilize and that the role of trauma centers will become more mature by readjusting medical fees to a realistic level and expanding the scope of treatment to include acute care surgery. These efforts will ultimately reduce the preventable trauma mortality rate in Korea.
Developed Countries ; Fees, Medical ; Humans ; Korea* ; Leadership ; Mortality ; Trauma Centers* ; Wounds and Injuries

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the situations and problems of the current health insurance fees for trauma surgeries. METHODS: We reviewed the medical records and billing data from trauma surgeries performed in the hospital from August 2012 to July 2014. The name and number of surgeries were investigated and the code and number of operations prescribed by surgeons were compared with the number of cases actually billed to insurance. In addition, the results returned by the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Services (HIRA) after deduction were investigated and compared to verify the insurance review findings. RESULTS: During the study period, total 1,534 trauma surgical procedures were performed for a total of 253 trauma patients. Based on names, 1,092 procedures were performed; however, 442 cases (28.8%) could not be prescribed because of lack of proper insurance codes for the procedures. A total of 1,046.5 surgical procedures were prescribed by surgeons, adjusted by the insurance team, and finally billed to the HIRA; 162 bills were returned from the HIRA after rate reductions, corresponding to a reduction rate of 15.5%. The major reason for reduction was “fee criteria and limited number”. The compensation rate for billed surgical procedures was 84.5%. CONCLUSION: The high reduction and low compensation rate for trauma surgery under the current Korean National Health Insurance System need to be reviewed and improved. Furthermore, it is necessary to establish new criteria for surgical procedures fees for latest ones such as damage control surgery performed on severe trauma patients.
Compensation and Redress* ; Fees and Charges ; Humans ; Insurance ; Insurance, Health ; Korea ; Medical Records ; National Health Programs* ; Surgeons ; Surgical Procedures, Operative ; Wounds and Injuries

In 2011, the government of South Korea established a support program for obstetric care for underserved geographical areas to address the serious problem of the low birth rate. The birth rate of some underserved areas has since been increasing, and several indexes of mother and child health have since improved. However, various problems have also been noted in the evaluation of the policy for this support program. The birth rate of some rural areas remains low, and the inadequacy of professional health care providers has not been resolved. The medical fee for delivery should be rationalized, and countermeasures for medical litigation should be established. Furthermore, better communication between local residents and healthcare providers are necessary to improve maternal and child health. For effective long-term provision of obstetric care through this support program for underserved areas, new outcome and evaluation standards are necessary. Critical requirements for launching an initial support program and outcomes including the birth rate and indices of maternal and child health should be itemized and assessed. Support for health care providers requires expansion including support personnel, the establishment of a transfer system, and measures to address legal problems. A multifaceted approach including regular maternal education and an information network system for local residents is necessary. Future support programs should include total care for maternal and child health, so cooperation of the government offices and health care centers is essential. At the same time, new standards of evaluation of obstetric care support programs for underserved areas need to be established for appropriate evaluation of comprehensive family health.
Birth Rate ; Child Health ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Evaluation Studies as Topic ; Family Health ; Fees, Medical ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Information Services ; Jurisprudence ; Korea* ; Medically Underserved Area ; Mothers