J Korean Med Sci.  2009 May;24(Suppl 2):S271-S276. 10.3346/jkms.2009.24.S2.S271.

Development of a Rating System for Digestive System Impairments: Korean Academy of Medical Sciences Guideline

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Surgery, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 2Department of Medical Law & Ethics, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 3Department of Surgery, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 4Department of Family Medicine, Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.
  • 5Department of Internal Medicine, SoonChunHyang University College of Medicine, Cheonan, Korea.
  • 6Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Korea.
  • 7Department of Family Medicine, Cheil General Hospital & Women's Health-Care Center, Kwandong University, College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
  • 8Department of Surgery, Kangnam Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. bckimgs@hallym.or.kr

Abstract

A systematic and effective welfare system for people with digestive system impairments is required. In Korea, an objective and scientific rating guideline does not exist to judge the digestive system impairments. Whether the impairments exist or not and the degree of it need to be examined. Thus, with these considerations we need a scientific rating guideline for digestive system impairments to fit our cultural and social background. In 2007, a research team, for the development of rating impairment guidelines, was organized under the supervision of Korean Academy of Medical Sciences. The rating guidelines for digestive system impairments was classified into upper and lower gastrointestinal tracts impairments and liver impairment. We developed objective rating guidelines for the upper gastrointestinal tract, the impairment generated after surgery for the stomach, duodenum, esophagus, and for the lower gastrointestinal tract, the impairment generated after construction and surgery for colon, rectum, anus, and intestinal stomas. We tried to make the rating impairment guidelines to include science, objectivity, convenience, rationality, and actuality. We especially emphasized objectivity as the most important value. We worked to make it easy and convenient to use for both the subjects who received the impairment ratings and the doctors who will give the ratings.

Keyword

Disability Evaluation; Public Health; Digestive System Impairments

MeSH Terms

Digestive System Diseases/classification/*diagnosis
*Disability Evaluation
Duodenal Diseases/classification/diagnosis
Esophageal Diseases/classification/diagnosis
Humans
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/classification/diagnosis
Korea
Liver Diseases/classification/diagnosis
Postoperative Complications/classification/diagnosis
Program Development
Severity of Illness Index
Stomach Diseases/classification/diagnosis

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