PHWR Public Health Weekly Report

Vol.18 No.46, November 27, 2025 Article TypeOriginal ArticlePolicy NoteQuickStats

• Original Article 2025-11-27

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  Development of the 2024 Korean Guidelines for the Justification of Patient Imaging

  Chi-Hoon Choi

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(46): 1835-1852 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.46.1

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This study reports on the development and clinical applicability of the 2024 revised Korean Guidelines for the Justification of Patient Imaging with the goal of reducing unnecessary radiation exposure, thereby improving patient safety and quality of care.
  Methods: A multidisciplinary team from six divisions developed the guidelines using the GRADE-ADOLOPMENT framework and patient/problem, intervention, comparator, outcome (PICO) structure. International guidelines were adapted using the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) tool. Each recommendation was assigned a grade, evidence level, or radiation dose stage. A consensus was achieved through two rounds of Delphi. A pilot clinical decision support system (CDSS) and surveys were conducted to assess awareness and utilization.
  Results: Thirty-five recommendations were developed addressing 20 key questions. Among these, key topics included strong recommendations for the use of unenhanced brain CT in acute thunderclap headache and the use of ultrasound for fetal hydronephrosis, acute abdominal pain, and interstitial pulmonary fibrosis follow-up. Surveys showed high awareness (>60%), but low utilization (approximately 30%).
  Conclusions: Although the 2024 guidelines, developed using internationally recognized methods, recommend enhancing restrictions on patient imaging, their limited clinical adoption remains a challenge. Institutional support, such as the integration of electronic medical records, policy incentives, and broader CDSS use, is essential for improving their implementation to reduce unnecessary radiation exposure, enhance patient safety, and increase healthcare efficiency.

• Policy Note 2025-11-27

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  Experimental Guidelines for Genetic Modification (2025 Revision): Understanding Biological Risk Group Classification

  YiRang Hwang , Min-Ah Lee , Jeonghwa Shin , Tae Jong Son

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(46): 1853-1863 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.46.2

  Abstract

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  Objectives: This document introduces the Experimental Guidelines for Genetic Modification, including recent revisions (Ministry of Health and Welfare Notice No. 2025-152), which serve as a biosafety reference for biotechnology research and development institutions and provide information on listed biological agents classified by risk group.
  Methods: Biological agent classification by risk group is based on international references, including U.S. National Institutes of Health Guidelines, the UK Approved List of Biological Agents, and domestic references including the Pathogen Biosafety Data Sheet published by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA). Viral taxonomy and nomenclature meeting the new naming rules of the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) have also been reviewed. Guideline revisions were prepared through consultation with academic, research, and industrial institutions and reviewed by the KDCA’s Health and Biosafety Expert Committee.
  Results: Biological agent risk group classification, spanning Risk Groups 1 through 4, has remained unchanged since the most recent revision (2022). However, the guidelines have been updated to reflect ICTV-recommended virus nomenclature changes, with revised and existing virus names presented in parallel.
  Conclusions: This revision updates the classification and nomenclature of biological agents to align with current international standards. The KDCA will continue to improve and advance its Experimental Guidelines for Genetic Modification to ensure that biosafety assessments and management systems in bioscience research institutions operate in compliance with global biosafety standards.

• QuickStats 2025-11-27

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  Trends in the Prevalence of Perceived Stress among Korean Adolescents, 2015–2024

  Yukyeong Kang

  Public Health Weekly Report 2025; 18(46): 1864-1865 https://doi.org/10.56786/PHWR.2025.18.46.3

  

  

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