Journal of Korean medical science
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2009
Practice GuidelineKorean guideline development for the evaluation of permanent impairment of the spine: proposal by the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Committee.
The criteria for the evaluation of spinal impairment are diverse, complex, and have no standardized form. This makes it difficult and somewhat troublesome to accurately evaluate spinal impairment patients. A standardized guideline was studied for the evaluation of spinal impairment, based on the American Medical Association (AMA) Guides and the McBride method. ⋯ The grade of impairment was differentially evaluated according to the affected region. The restricted range of motion was excluded in the evaluation spinal impairment because of low objectivity. Even though the new Korean guideline for the evaluation of spinal impairment has been proposed, it should be continuously supplemented and revised.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2009
Practice GuidelineDevelopment of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline for rating physical impairment.
Systematic and effective welfare for the disabled is possible when there are scientific and objective criteria demonstrating either presence or severity of the impairment. We need our own scientific criteria suitable for our culture and society, since the impairment is influenced by them. In 2007, we established the Developing Committee of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences (KAMS) Guideline for Impairment Rating under KAMS supervision. ⋯ The KAMS Guideline should be scientific, objective, valid, reasonable and practical. In particular, we tried to secure objectivity. We developed the KAMS Guideline for Impairment Rating.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2009
Practice GuidelineDevelopment of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline rating the physical impairment; kidney, bladder, urethra, male and female reproductive systems (preliminary report).
For the evaluation of the kidney impairment, serum creatinine concentrations or glomerular filtration rates are mainly used, and the conditions of solitary or transplanted kidney and chronic dialysis are also taken into the considerations. Some symptoms and signs of the chronic renal disability in spite of adequate treatment add one additional grade. For evaluating bladder and urethral impairment, the criteria include voiding symptoms and signs. ⋯ For evaluating impairment of female reproductive organs, pregnancy potential, requirement of continuous treatment and the ability of sexual intercourse are used. Also, degree of impairment is modified according to the ages in evaluating female reproductive systems. We have tried to make this evaluation system objective, scientific, and convenient, but still find it leaving much to be desired.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2009
Practice GuidelineDevelopment of the Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline for rating the impairment in the brain injured and brain diseased persons with motor dysfunction.
To develop an objective and scientific method to evaluate the brain injured and brain diseased persons with motor dysfunction, American Medical Association's Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment was used as an exemplar. After the motor dysfunction due to brain injury or brain disease was confirmed, active range of motion and muscle strength of affected extremities were measured. Also, the total function of extremities was evaluated through the assessment of activities of daily living, fine coordination of hand, balance and gait. ⋯ Spasticity of upper and lower extremity was used as minus factors. Patients with movement disorder such as Parkinson's disease were assessed based on the degree of dysfunction in response to medication. We develop a new rating system based on the concept of total score.
-
J. Korean Med. Sci. · May 2009
Practice GuidelineDevelopment of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline on the skin and related system: impairment evaluation of disfigurement in skin and appearance.
The purpose of this study is to develop new standards for the disability evaluation with reference to existing laws and other study reports regarding disabilities for the rational evaluation of the diverse kinds of disfigurement in appearance and skin. Three plastic surgery specialists and 3 dermatology specialists developed a new standard for the disability evaluation which is appropriate for circumstances in Korea. ⋯ For type 3 disorders, we tried to rate the score according to the size of involved skin lesion. The disability rate is determined by dividing the disability class into 8 steps based on the seriousness of each type of disability.