Diabetes Metab J.  2020 Oct;44(5):671-678. 10.4093/dmj.2020.0207.

Data Configuration and Publication Trends for the Korean National Health Insurance and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Database

• Kim HK
• Song SO
• Noh J
• Jeong IK
• Lee BW

• KMID: 2513029
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4093/dmj.2020.0207

Abstract

Background
Big data reports related to diseases and health care for the Korean population have been published since the National Health Insurance Service (NHIS) and the Health Insurance Review & Assessment (HIRA) Service provided limited open access to their databases. Here, we reviewed the structure, content, and means of using data from the National Health Insurance (NHI) system for the benefit of Korean researchers and presented the latest publication trends in Korean healthcare data procured from the NHI and HIRA databases.
Methods
Since 2013, researchers have been able to obtain nationwide population-based studies using the NHI and HIRA databases of the insured. We searched publications using the NHI and the HIRA databases between 2013 and 2019 retrieved from PubMed.
Results
The NHI and HIRA databases provide nationwide population-based data. The total number of publications from 2014 to 2019 using NHI and HIRA databases is 2,541 and 655, respectively. A total of 5,465 endocrinology-related studies were performed during 2014 to 2019.
Conclusion
The NHIS and HIRA databases have provided tools for guidelines to approach world-leading population-based epidemiology and disease research.

Keyword

Endocrinology; Health services research; Korea; National health programs

Figure

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  Fig. 1. (A) Year-specific number of publications using the National Health Insurance (NHI) and Health Insurance Review & Assessment (HIRA) databases (2014 to 2019). (B) Endocrinology-related search terms in the NHI and HIRA databases (2014 to 2019).

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  Fig. 2. How the National Health Insurance system works. NHIS, National Health Insurance Service; HIRA, Health Insurance Review & Assessment.

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