Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41943273›Full record

ArticleJournal of Korean medical science2026

Economic Burden of Developmental Disorder Treatment in Korea and Various Overseas Policies: A Study on the Reinforcement for National Assistance.

Hayeon Kim, Dong-Gyun Han, Hee-Sun Kim, Seongwoo Seo, Yoonjae Lee, Haemi Choi, Jeongeun Lee, Jae-Gu Kang, Tae-Hyeong Kim, Eunseol Ko and 1 more

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of Korean medical science, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

11 authors.

Hayeon KimDepartment of Psychiatry, Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7739-7152
Dong-Gyun HanDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-7863-8595
Hee-Sun KimHealth Policy Research Team, Division of Healthcare Research, National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4836-907X
Seongwoo SeoHealthcare Research Team, Division of Healthcare Research, National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-8280-7112
Yoonjae LeeDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1911-5776
Haemi ChoiDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8946-4666
Jeongeun LeeDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0005-0991-417X
Jae-Gu KangDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1300-8557
Tae-Hyeong KimDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0208-8264
Eunseol KoDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0176-0868
Min-Hyeon ParkDepartment of Psychiatry, Eunpyeong St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea. neominnie00@hanmail.net.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1731-1388

Funding

National Evidence-Based Healthcare Collaborating Agency NA23-007
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundDevelopmental disorders are characterized by delays in motor skills, language, cognition, emotional regulation, and social abilities. The most common conditions within this category include intellectual disabilities and autism spectrum disorder, which not only impact individuals and families but also have broader effects on the socioeconomic system. Despite the necessity of early detection and intensive treatment for developmental disorders, limited coverage by the national health insurance system in South Korea imposes a significant financial burden on families.

methodsIn this study, a structured survey was conducted on 105 caregivers of infants and children younger than six with developmental disorders, 52 medical doctors (child and adolescent psychiatrists, pediatricians, and rehabilitation physicians), and 51 treatment specialists to assess the economic circumstances related to developmental disorder treatment.

resultsAmong 105 children (68.6% male), most initiated treatment between ages 2 and 4, with speech therapy (88.4%) and sensory therapy (64.0%) being the most utilized services. Although Applied Behavior Analysis had the highest session intensity and cost, its voucher utilization was remarkably low (2.4%), contributing to a significant perceived financial burden, with 72.4% of caregivers reporting high burden (mean score 3.99/5). Consequently, specialists reported a discrepancy between recommended and accessible treatments due to costs, rating the reasonableness of current voucher fees at only 1.98 out of 5.

conclusionGiven the substantial financial burden, the introduction of new policies and revisions to existing policies are urgently needed to support the treatment costs for individuals with developmental disorders.

Indexed as

Cost of IllnessDevelopmental DisabilitiesCaregiversChildChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantMaleNational Health ProgramsRepublic of KoreaSurveys and QuestionnairesAutismDevelopmental DisorderFinancial BurdenInsuranceKoreaTreatment

Identifiers

PMID41943273
PMCPMC13036278

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.