J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2021 Nov;60(4):396-405. 10.4306/jknpa.2021.60.4.396.

A Study on Complementary Policy to Enhance the Effectiveness of National Dementia Policy in Terms of Medical Services

• Seong SJ
• Lee KJ
• Kim WJ
• Kim K
• Lee DW

• KMID: 2523092
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4306/jknpa.2021.60.4.396

Abstract

Objectives
South Korea has established four national dementia plans (NDPs). However, there have been few policy studies focusing on health services to improve the effectiveness of the NDPs. This study aimed to develop measures to raise the efficacy of medical care in NDP.
Methods
We classified the implementation policies of the 3rd NDP and the national dementia initiative according to the key objectives of the dementia policy of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. After investigating the progress, complementary policies were developed by reviewing the existing policy literature and exemplary cases in developed countries.
Results
The Community Dementia Reassurance Center should provide integrated services. To promote early screening, private medical services should be engaged. To provide post-diagnostic support, we propose a “Dementia Intensive Support Team” in hospitals. To care for severe cases of behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD), an “Intensive Care Unit for BPSD” is needed. It would be more effective for the various functions of the “Dementia Reassurance Hospital” to be implemented by various private medical institutions, rather than for all the functions to be implemented only by public long-term care hospitals.
Conclusion
Rather than carrying out all projects in the public domain, active use of private resources will increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the NDP.

Keyword

Dementia; Dementia policy; National dementia plan; Medical service