Objectives: This study aimed to explore factors influencing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations at the free medical clinic, providing data to improve free medical services for these populations. Methods: We employed a descriptive correlational study design involving 112 individuals (aged 19 years and older) from medically underserved populations who visited the clinic. Data were collected through face-to-face surveys from September to October 2023, and statistical analyses (t-tests, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation, and hierarchical multiple regression) were used to identify key predictors of satisfaction. Results: Perceived support from healthcare providers emerged as the strongest predictor ofsatisfaction with medical services, demonstrating a significant positive association. While socialsupport was positively correlated with perceived support from healthcare providers, it did not independently predict satisfaction. Conclusion These findings underscore the importance of healthcare provider and social supportin increasing satisfaction with medical services among medically underserved populations.Developing tailored healthcare programs and specialized healthcare provider training are essential strategies to improve healthcare access and outcomes for these vulnerable groups.

Objective: As the demand for community mental health services continues to grow, the need for well-equipped and organized services has become apparent. This study aimed to optimize the roles and infrastructure of mental health services, by establishing, among other initiatives, standardized operating models. Methods: The study was conducted in multiple phases from May 12, 2021, to December 29, 2021. Stakeholders within South Korea and metropolitan mental health welfare centers were targeted, but addiction management support centers, including officials, patients, and their families, were integrated as well. A literature review and survey, focus group interviews, a Delphi survey, and expert consultation contributed to comprehensive revisions and improvements of the mental health service model. Results: The proposed model for community mental health welfare centers emphasizes the expansion of personnel and infrastructure, with a focus on severe mental illnesses and suicide prevention. The model for metropolitan mental health welfare centers delineates essential tasks in areas such as project planning and establishment, community research, and education about severe mental illnesses. The establishment of a 24-hour emergency intervention center was a crucial feature. In the integrated addiction support center model, the need to promote addiction management is defined as an essential task and the establishment of national governance for addiction policies is recommended. Conclusion This study proposed standard operating models for three types of mental health service centers. To meet the increasing need for community care, robust mental health service delivery systems are of primary importance.

Objective: In South Korea, there is a significant gap in systematic, evidence-based research on intensive case management (ICM) for individuals with severe mental illness (SMI). This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ICM through a randomized controlled trial (RCT) comparing ICM with standard case management (non-ICM). Methods: An RCT was conducted to assess the effectiveness of Seoul-intensive case management (S-ICM) vs. non-ICM in individuals with SMI in Seoul. A total of 78 participants were randomly assigned to either the S-ICM group (n=41) or the control group (n=37). Various clinical assessments, including the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale, Health of the Nation Outcome Scale, and Clinical Global Impression-Improvement (CGI-I), along with quality-of-life measures such as the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule, WHO Quality of Life scale, and Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) were evaluated over a 3-month period. Statistical analyses, including analysis of covariance and logistic regression, were used to determine the effectiveness of S-ICM. Results: The S-ICM group had significantly lower odds of self-harm or suicidal attempts compared to the control group (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=0.30, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.21–1.38). Psychiatric symptoms measured by the BPRS and perceived social support measured by the MSPSS significantly improved in the S-ICM group. The S-ICM group also had significantly higher odds of CGI-I compared to the control group (aOR=8.20, 95% CI: 2.66–25.32). Conclusion This study provides inaugural evidence on the effectiveness of S-ICM services, supporting their standardization and potential nationwide expansion.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Objective: To compare the quality of deep learning-reconstructed turbo spin-echo (DL-TSE) and conventionally interpolated turbo spin-echo (Conv-TSE) techniques in contrast-enhanced MRI of the neck. Materials and Methods: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted DL-TSE and Conv-TSE images were acquired using 3T scanners from 106 patients. DL-TSE employed a closed-source, ‘work-in-progress’ (WIP No. 1062, iTSE, version 10; Siemens Healthineers) algorithm for interpolation and denoising to achieve the same in-plane resolution (axial: 0.26 x 0.26 mm 2 ; coronal: 0.29 x 0.29 mm 2 ) while reducing scan times by 15.9% and 52.6% for axial and coronal scans, respectively. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) and percent signal ghosting were measured using stationary and flow phantom scans, respectively. In patient images, non-uniformity (NU), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and regional mucosal FWHM were evaluated. Two neuroradiologists visually rated the patient images for overall quality, sharpness, regional mucosal conspicuity, artifacts, and lesions using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: FWHM in the stationary phantom scan was consistently sharper in DL-TSE. The percent signal ghosting outside the flow phantom was lower in DL-TSE (0.06% vs. 0.14%) but higher within the phantom (8.92% vs. 1.75%) compared to ConvTSE. In patient scans, DL-TSE showed non-inferior NU and higher CNR. Regional mucosal FWHM was significantly better in DL-TSE, particularly in the oropharynx (coronal: 1.08 ± 0.31 vs. 1.52 ± 0.46 mm) and hypopharynx (coronal: 1.26 ± 0.35 vs. 1.91 ± 0.56 mm) (both P < 0.001). DL-TSE demonstrated higher overall image quality (axial: 4.61 ± 0.49 vs. 3.32 ± 0.54) and sharpness (axial: 4.40 ± 0.56 vs. 3.11 ± 0.53) (both P < 0.001). In addition, mucosal conspicuity was improved, especially in the oropharynx (axial: 4.41 ± 0.67 vs. 3.40 ± 0.69) and hypopharynx (axial: 4.45 ± 0.58 vs. 3.58 ± 0.63) (both P < 0.001).Extracorporeal ghost artifacts were reduced in DL-TSE (axial: 4.32 ± 0.60 vs. 3.90 ± 0.71, P < 0.001) but artifacts overlapping anatomical structures were slightly more pronounced (axial: 3.78 ± 0.74 vs. 3.95 ± 0.72, P < 0.001). Lesions were detected with higher confidence in DL-TSE. Conclusion DL-based reconstruction applied to accelerated neck MRI improves overall image quality, sharpness, mucosal conspicuity in motion-prone regions, and lesion detection confidence. Despite more pronounced ghost artifacts overlapping anatomical structures, DL-TSE enables substantial scan time reduction while enhancing diagnostic performance.

Radiofrequency ablation (RFA) is a minimally invasive treatment modality used as an alternative to surgery in patients with benign thyroid nodules, recurrent thyroid cancers (RTCs), and primary thyroid microcarcinomas. The Korean Society of Thyroid Radiology (KSThR) initially developed recommendations for the optimal use of RFA for thyroid tumors in 2009 and revised them in 2012 and 2017. As new meaningful evidence has accumulated since 2017 and in response to a growing global interest in the use of RFA for treating malignant thyroid lesions, the task force committee members of the KSThR decided to update the guidelines on the use of RFA for the management of RTCs based on a comprehensive analysis of current literature and expert consensus.

Objective: To compare the quality of deep learning-reconstructed turbo spin-echo (DL-TSE) and conventionally interpolated turbo spin-echo (Conv-TSE) techniques in contrast-enhanced MRI of the neck. Materials and Methods: Contrast-enhanced T1-weighted DL-TSE and Conv-TSE images were acquired using 3T scanners from 106 patients. DL-TSE employed a closed-source, ‘work-in-progress’ (WIP No. 1062, iTSE, version 10; Siemens Healthineers) algorithm for interpolation and denoising to achieve the same in-plane resolution (axial: 0.26 x 0.26 mm 2 ; coronal: 0.29 x 0.29 mm 2 ) while reducing scan times by 15.9% and 52.6% for axial and coronal scans, respectively. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) and percent signal ghosting were measured using stationary and flow phantom scans, respectively. In patient images, non-uniformity (NU), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and regional mucosal FWHM were evaluated. Two neuroradiologists visually rated the patient images for overall quality, sharpness, regional mucosal conspicuity, artifacts, and lesions using a 5-point Likert scale. Results: FWHM in the stationary phantom scan was consistently sharper in DL-TSE. The percent signal ghosting outside the flow phantom was lower in DL-TSE (0.06% vs. 0.14%) but higher within the phantom (8.92% vs. 1.75%) compared to ConvTSE. In patient scans, DL-TSE showed non-inferior NU and higher CNR. Regional mucosal FWHM was significantly better in DL-TSE, particularly in the oropharynx (coronal: 1.08 ± 0.31 vs. 1.52 ± 0.46 mm) and hypopharynx (coronal: 1.26 ± 0.35 vs. 1.91 ± 0.56 mm) (both P < 0.001). DL-TSE demonstrated higher overall image quality (axial: 4.61 ± 0.49 vs. 3.32 ± 0.54) and sharpness (axial: 4.40 ± 0.56 vs. 3.11 ± 0.53) (both P < 0.001). In addition, mucosal conspicuity was improved, especially in the oropharynx (axial: 4.41 ± 0.67 vs. 3.40 ± 0.69) and hypopharynx (axial: 4.45 ± 0.58 vs. 3.58 ± 0.63) (both P < 0.001).Extracorporeal ghost artifacts were reduced in DL-TSE (axial: 4.32 ± 0.60 vs. 3.90 ± 0.71, P < 0.001) but artifacts overlapping anatomical structures were slightly more pronounced (axial: 3.78 ± 0.74 vs. 3.95 ± 0.72, P < 0.001). Lesions were detected with higher confidence in DL-TSE. Conclusion DL-based reconstruction applied to accelerated neck MRI improves overall image quality, sharpness, mucosal conspicuity in motion-prone regions, and lesion detection confidence. Despite more pronounced ghost artifacts overlapping anatomical structures, DL-TSE enables substantial scan time reduction while enhancing diagnostic performance.

Background and Objectives: The risk profiles, procedural characteristics, and clinical outcomes for women undergoing bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) are not well defined compared to those in men. Methods: COronary BIfurcation Stenting III (COBIS III) is a multicenter, real-world registry of 2,648 patients with bifurcation lesions treated with second-generation drug-eluting stents.We compared the angiographic and procedural characteristics and clinical outcomes based on sex. The primary outcome was 5-year target lesion failure (TLF), a composite of cardiac death, myocardial infarction, and target lesion revascularization. Results: Women (n=635, 24%) were older, had hypertension and diabetes more often, and had smaller main vessel and side branch reference diameters than men. The pre- and post-PCI angiographic percentage diameter stenoses of the main vessel and side branch were comparable between women and men. There were no differences in procedural characteristics between the sexes. Women and men had a similar risk of TLF (6.3% vs. 7.1%, p=0.63) as well as its individual components and sex was not an independent predictor of TLF. This finding was consistent in the left main and 2 stenting subgroups. Conclusions In patients undergoing bifurcation PCI, sex was not an independent predictor of adverse outcome.