Background
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of telephone call reminder on retention rate in obese patients. Methods: A total of 118 patients (85 first-time visitors, 33 re-visitors), who visited an obesity management clinic from May 2003 to May 2004, were divided into the intervention group (n=64) and the comparison group (n=54). The intervention was a telephone call reminder before the appointment date. The retention rate up to 7th visit and body mass index were compared between the two groups. Results: The retention rate was 64.4% at 4th visit (after 66.5⁑29.2 days from the first visit) and 36.4% at 7th visit (after 142.1⁑57.8 days from the first visit). For the first- time visitors, the retention rate at 3rd visit was significantly higher (85.1%) in the intervention group than those in the comparison group (67.6%, P=0.049). Otherwise, there were no significant differences in retention rate and body mass index at each visit between the two groups regardless of the visiting status. However, the body mass index at 4th and 7th visit was significantly lower in the intervention group than in the comparison group among the first-time visitors who completely attended 7 times (P=0.031). Conclusion: We could not find the telephone call reminder to be an effective method to improve retention rate in obesity management clinic. Further intensive approach is needed to promote attendance. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2007;28:204-209)

Background
: Smoking is well known as an important preventable risk factor contributing to mortality and morbidity. Telephone counseling might be one of adjunctive interventions for smoking cessation. We evaluated whether telephone counseling performed by a nurse could improve smoking cessation rate.

Methods : Study subjects were 152 male smokers who visited family practice in one tertiary hospital between November 2001 and January 2002 and agreed to participate in this study. After completing a self- administered questionnaire, the subjects received self-help materials and were randomly assigned into either an intervention or control group. A well-trained nurse provided telephone counseling only to experimental group at 8th and 17th week of follow-up. The 25-week smoking cessation rates were checked in both groups by telephone call.

Results : There were no significant differences in socio- demographic and smoking-related characteristics between intervention, control, and non-participants groups. Intention-to-treat smoking cessation rate at 25th-week of follow- up was 21.1% in control, 25.0% in intervention group and was not statistically different from each other. Smoking cessation rate according to the baseline stage of change toward quit smoking was not statistically different from each other.

Conclusion : The telephone counseling performed by a nurse was not significantly effective for improving smoking cessation rate in this study.

Background
: No-show is a major obstacle for proper management in outpatient clinic. This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a reminding telephone call on the compliance after no-show patients in family practice.

Methods : A nurse in family practice called to 590 non-compliant patients who did not visit on the appointment day within 80 days. A single telephone call attempt was directed primarily to the patient or family members for them to make another appointment. The outcome measure was an increased attendance rate within 3 months after telephone calling.

Results : The completed telephone contacted group (N=242) and failed group (N=348) were well balanced for all study variables except age. The attendance rate of 60.7% in the completed group, regardless of who was contacted by telephone, was 40.7% greater than 23.0% attendance rate in the failed group. In the univariate analysis, attendance for patients who lived near the clinic (within 1 hour) was better (45.3%) than that for any other group (P=.02). In the logistic regression analysis, only the telephone call reminder was an independent predictor of attendance (Adjusted OR=5.03, P<.001).

Conclusion : Telephone reminder is a very effective method of increasing attendance in a hospital-based family clinic. The reminder is a consistenly effective intervention whether the message is delivered to the patient or the family member.

Background
: Since the winter of 1997, Korea has been in an economic crisis. During this period family the most important and basic social unit faced many problems. The purpose of this survey was to assess Korean family's functional status and emphasize family as a social support unit.

Methods : During April-May 1998 Nationwide Telephone survey was done. Sampling was done by Multi State Random Sampling technique. We questioned subjects on 5 categories of present family problems and used Modified Faces-III Questionnaire for evaluation of family function.

Results : By 5 point scale, the impact of present economic problems to the family showed the highest score(3.7). Other causes had a score range of 1.7-2.1. Economic impact was greater in 4th and 5th life cycle step, those with low income, and those in bereavement. Family type was divided in to 3 groups; extreme type 20%, mid range 50%, and balanced 30%. Among extreme groups chaotic adoption and enmeshed cohesion type were the most common(10.8%).

Conclusion : In the korean family 1998, economic problem seems to be the most important impact factor and the proportion of extreme type family is high.

Background
: Alcohol use is a major source of health problem. The social and economic costs related to alcohol use are enormous. Thus, alcohol use is a public health issue. Previous studies on alcohol use were based on hospitalized patients(especially alcoholics) or community subjects, but national survey is lacking. In this study, we describe alcohol use among the Koreans.

Methods : Household telephone survey was carried out using multistage stratified random sampling methods from April to May, 1997. Fifteen to sixty-nine year old subjects were randomly selected from household and asked to report type, quantity and frequency of alcoholic beverage consumption.

Results : The prevalences of alcohol drinking during the last month were 64.0% for men, 37.8% for women, and 64.7% for those in their twenties, and it decreased with increasing age. In multivariate logistic regression model, men, the unmarried, those in their twenties, administrative and professional personnel were associated with higher prevalence of alcohol drinking. Proportions of nearly daily drinker were 16.5% for men, 2.2% for women, and more than 20% for those in their forties and over and increased with increasing age. Mean alcohol consumption was 56 grams for men, 12 grams for women. Heavy drinkers, defined as average intake of 30 grams or more per day, were found in 23.4% of men and 2.4% of women. The most widely consumed beverages were soju, beer and makuli. In multivariate logistic regression model, men, the unmarried, those in their twenties, and administrative and professional personnel were highly associated with heavy drinking.

Conclusion : The prevalences of alcohol drinking during the last month was 49.0%. The proportion of heavy drinker was 11.4%. Men, the unmarried, those in their twenties, and administrative and professional personnel were highly associated with heavy drinking. Therefore, efforts should be made to reduce heavy alcohol drinking among the risk groups.