• The Korean Journal of Medicine
• /
• v.93 no.6
• /
• pp.497-500
• /
• 2018

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.49-57
• /
• 2021

Objectives : This study evaluated the medical communication skills of trainee doctors and analyzed the relationship between medical communication skills, self-efficacy on clinical performance (SECP) and empathy. Methods : A total of 106 trainee doctors from a university hospital participated. The questionnaire comprised self-evaluated medical communication skills, modified SECP and the Korean version of the Jefferson Scale of Empathy-Health Professionals version. The mean difference in medical communication skills scores according to gender, age, division (intern, internal medicine group or surgery group) and position (intern, first-/second- and third-/fourth-year residents) were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients were determined between medical communication skills, modified SECP and empathy. The effects of each variable on medical communication skills were verified using the structural equation model. Results : There were no statistically significant mean differences in self-evaluated medical communication skills according to gender, age, division or position. Medical communication skills had a significant positive correlation with modified SECP (r=0.782, p<0.001) and empathy (r=0.210, p=0.038). Empathy had a direct effect on modified SECP (β=0.30, p<0.01) and modified SECP had a direct effect on medical communication skills (β=0.80, p<0.001). Empathy indirectly influenced medical communication skills, mediating modified SECP (β=0.26, p<0.05). Conclusions : Medical communication skills are an important core curriculum of residency programs, as they have a direct correlation with SECP, which is needed for successful treatment. Moreover, the medical communication needs a new understanding that is out of empathy.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.13-21
• /
• 1998

The purpose of the study was to examine nonpsychiatric physicians' attitudes toward psychiatry. 129 physicians responded to the questionnaire regarding attitudes toward psychiatry. A majority were favorable about psychiatric education, psychiatric consultation, psychoanalysis, students' choice of psychiatry as a career, and psychiatrists. Staff were more positive toward psychiatry than residents, and senior staff were more positive about psychiatry than junior staff. Overall, however, no significant differences were found in attitudes toward psychiatry between nonsurgical physicians and surgeons, although staff or residents in nonsurgical departments were more favorable about some aspects of psychiatry than staff or residents in surgical departments. The physicians with more interest in psychiatry as a career in the past were more likely to to be positive about psychiatry as a comprehensive science and a rapidly expanding field of medicine. Physicians with older age were more likely to be positive about status and efficacy of psychiatry, role and functioning of psychiatrists than those with. younger age. The results suggest that previous interest in psychiatry, age and clinical experience favorably influenced physicians' attitude toward psychiatry. In addition, development of models for psychiatric education will be needed to enhance physicians' attitude toward psychiatry.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.391-400
• /
• 2005

Special Practitioner exists based on the need for special fields that are required to manage difficult patients with specialized skills distinguished from General practitioner. The purpose of dental specialist system is to manage patients who are not treatable by general practitioner by training doctors specializing in one specific field, thereby, enhancing health of the public. Oral Medicine deals with orofacial pain, oral soft tissue disease, forensic dentistry, oral diagnosis. In these days, living environments of city life bring about increase in stress which ultimately lead to increase in prevalence of temporomandibular disorder, oral soft tissue disease, neuropathies such as trigeminal neuralgia, and hence, the number of patients seeking help of those symptoms tend to increase. The purpose of this study was to analyze the rate of referrals and the routes of patients seeking help by investigating 3,707 patients who visited Department of Oral Medicine, College of Dentistry, Yonsei University, from August, 2004 to April, 2005. The results were as follows: 1. The types of disease referred to the Department of Oral Medicine were orofacial pain, oral soft tissue disease, forensic dentistry, oral diagnosis. 2. The rate of referrals was 58.51% which implies that more than half of the patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine were referred. 3. The types of institution which made referrals were analyzed, and as a result, dental clinics made most of the referrals with the rate of 83.23%, while that from medical or oriental medical institutions was 16.78%. 4. Among the patients who visited the Department of Oral Medicine on their own, 30.52% gained the information about the Department of Oral Medicine from internet and mass media, and from neighbors. From the above results, most of the patients visiting the Department of Oral Medicine were found to be referred not only from the field of dentistry but also from the field of medicine. These suggest that Oral Medicine manages patients who are not treatable by general dental practitioners, and medical specialists tend to cooperate with the Department of Oral Medicine to manage diseases associated with Oral Medicine. Therefore, the role of Oral Medicine can be considered to be important as a special field, and the results of this study should be considered when working out a policy of Dental specialist system on demand and supply of residents in the future.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.19 no.4
• /
• pp.199-204
• /
• 2012

Objectives In the previous studies, it has been suggested that temperament and character may affect specialty choice in medical students. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of temperament and character on specialty interests in medical students. Methods A total 132 third-year medical students initially participated in this study. Among these participants, 128 students had filled out both demographic and Temperament and Character Inventory (TCI) questionnaires. Socio-demographic data, specialty interests and Cloninger's TCI scores were obtained. The specialty interests were categorized into surgical, medical and other departments. Results Among 128 students, 88 (68.7%), 29 (22.7%) and 22 (8.6%) students chose medical, surgical and other departments, respectively. Students choosing surgery departments showed lower Harm Avoidance scores (F = 4.39, df = 1, p = 0.04) and higher Self-Directedness scores (F = 4.30, df = 1, p = 0.04) than those who chose medical departments. There was no significant differences in Novelty Seeking, Reward dependence, Persistence, Cooperativeness, Self-Transcendence scores between groups. Conclusions To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study that has demonstrated the relationship between TCI scores and specialty interests of medical students in Korea. The current study suggests that temperament and character influence specialty interests in medical students. These findings could have implications for medical education research and career counseling.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.16 no.1
• /
• pp.52-58
• /
• 2008

Objectives : Antidepressants are prescribed by not only psychiatrists but also general practitioners. However, patients' negative attitude and stigma against antidepressants are major obstacles to prescribe antidepressants in nonpsychiatric outpatient departments. We, therefore, examined patients' attitude toward antidepressant in medical and surgical group outpatient in Korea. Methods : Short item questionnaire was applied to medical group and surgical group outpatients who consented to this survey in a Korean university hospital. 100 medical and 100 surgical outpatients were surveyed. The questionnaire contained sociodemographic information, previous recognition of antidepressant, and general attitude toward attidepressants. Results : Of the 212 recipients, exclusive of erroneous and missing ones, we analyzed 200 recipients. 1) We found negative attitude toward antidepressants among both medical and surgical outpatients. 2) Medical group outpatients are answered more' antidepressants cause physically ill. 3) The persons who didn't take previously antidepressants showed more negative attitudes. 4) The most reason why they refuse to take antidepressants is concerns of side effects of antidepressants. Conclusion : There are highly negative attitude toward antidepressants between medical and surgical group outpatients. Study findings suggest the need for an active education on antidepressants to nonpsychiatric outpatients to maximize their therapeutic effect and compliance.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.64 no.6
• /
• pp.439-444
• /
• 2008

Background: A patient with a pleural effusion that is difficult to safely drain by a "blind" thoracentesis procedure is generally referred to a radiologist for ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. But such a referral increases the cost and the patient's inconvenience, and it causes delay in the diagnostic procedures. If ultrasound-guided thoracentesis is performed as a bedside procedure by a medical resident, then this will reduce the previously mentioned problems. So these patients with pleural effusions were treated by medical residents at our medical center, and the procedures included bedside ultrasound-guided thoracenteses. Methods: We studied 89 cases of pleural effusions from March 2003 to June 2005. A "blind" thoracentesis was performed if the amount of pleural effusion was moderate or large. Bedside ultrasound-guided thoracentesis was performed for small or loculated effusions or for the cases that failed with performing a "blind" thoracentesis. Results: "Blind" thoracenteses were performed in 79 cases that had a moderate or large amount of uncomplicated pleural effusions and the success rate was 93.7% (74/79 cases). Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis by the medical residents was performed in 15 cases and the success rate was 66.7% (10/15 cases). The 5 failedcases included all 3 cases with loculated effusions and 2 cases with a small amount of pleural effusion. All the failed cases were referred to one radiologist and they were then successfully treated. If we exclude the 3 cases with loculated pleural effusions, the success rate of ultrasound-guided thoracentesis by the medical residents increased up to 83% (10/12cases). Two cases of complications (1 pneumothorax, 1 hydrohemothorax) occurred during ultrasound-guided thoracentesis. Conclusion: Ultrasound-guided thoracentesis performed as a bedside procedure by a medical resident may be relatively effective and safe. If a patient has a loculated effusion, then it would be better to first refer the patient to a radiologist.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.66-70
• /
• 1982

Medical personnek are one of several groups that have been reported to have a high incidence of hepatiris B. It is also thought that the occurrence rate of hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg), aserologic marker for hepatitis B virus(HBV), is expected to be high in the dental personnel who are frequently exposed to the blood and saliva of the patients. Although many studies have been done to determine the HBsAg status of virus groups, limited investigations have been performed on dental personnel, especially in this country. The main purpose of this study was to identify HBsAg positivity among dental students, interns, and residents who would be expected to be a high risk group of hepatitis B infection. Screening test for HBsAg of a dental school population was performed by indirect hemagglutination(IHA)in 1982. The results were as follows : 1. Thirty four out of a total 362 persons(9.4%)tested in the study had positive response for HBsAg in their serum samples. 2. Twenty seven out of 320 dental students(8.4%)had positive for HBsAg, and in Senior class 12 out of 82 dental students (14.6%)had positive response that was the highest incidence among dental students group. 3. Seven out of 42 interns and residents(16.7%)had positive for HBsAg, and it was the highest incidence in this dental school population.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.137-144
• /
• 2001

Purpose : Pain is the most serious symptom that cancer patients experience. About $60{\sim}90%$ of advanced cancer patients and four million patients worldwide, according to the WHO statistics, are reported to suffer from cancer pain. Although about $70{\sim}80%$ of the pain could be controlled according to the pain control principles, to our regret, only $30{\sim}40%$ are managed appropriately. This research was aimed to (1) investigates the prevalence of pain among cancer patients, (2) compare patients' perception of pain with physician's recognition and (3) evaluate appropriateness of the doctor's prescription of analgesic. Materials and Methods : Patients with advanced or terminal cancers admitted at department of internal medicine of Seoul National University Hospital for at least 7 days were enrolled. A questionnaire for the patients and the physicians in charge were given and the answers were compared for each other. We also examined their medical records and the physician's orders. Results : Total 59 patients were enrolled. Among them, 43 patients answered the questionnaire, and 27 patients (62.8%) suffered hem cancer pain. The survey also showed that physicians underestimated the severity of pain, overlooked frequently analgesic prescription principle, and that as the patients' pain became severe, the less adequate was pain managements. Conclusion : For cancer patients, pain was frequently overlooked, and treatment still inadequate. Based on this evidence, it seemed that more active practice and education about evaluation and management of cancer pain are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
• /
• v.20 no.1 s.37
• /
• pp.52-59
• /
• 1999

연구목적 : 뇌졸중환자에 기능회복도의 측정을 위해 가장 신뢰도가 높은 MBI에 대해서 순수하게 뇌졸중환자의 운동기능평가만을 위해 고안된 MAS의 상관성을 각 기간별로 분석하여 MAS의 운동기능평가척도로서의 객관성에 대해 연구한다. 또 한편으로 경과시간에 따른 운동기능 회복도의 차이를 전체그룹과 사상그룹에서 평가한다. 연구방법 : 1998년 1월부터 1998년 6월까지 6개월에 걸쳐 상지대학교 한의과대학 부속한방병원 내과에 입원하여 뇌졸중으로 진단된 환자 중 의식과 언어상태가 명료한 32명을 대상으로 하였다. 입원직후 사상의학과에 의뢰하여 QSCCII 시스템에 의하여 체질진단을 받은 후 본원 운동기능평가실에서 입원직후, 입원 후 2주와 4주 등 3회에 걸쳐 Modified Barthel Index(MBI)와 Motor Assessment Scale(MAS)을 시행하였다. 각 환자에 대한 검사는 2명의 한방순환기내과 전문의와 전공의에 의해 환자에 대한 사전 정보 없이 이루어졌다. 연구결과 : 통계처리는 상관분석을 위해서는 Pearson correlation coefficient, 사상체질에 있어서 각 경과시간에 따른 점수변화는 Repeated ANOVA, 일반적특성 분석에는 Descriptive analysis가 사용되었고, 프로그램은 SPSS/PC+ 7.5 version을 사용하였다. 1. 뇌졸중 환자의 사상의학적인 분포는 태음인이 56.3%로 가장 많았고, 소양인이 28.1%, 소음인이 12.5%, 태양인이 3.1%이었으며, 연령별로는 50대가 32.6%로 가장 많았으며, 평균연령은 60.9세였다. 2. 경과시간에 따른 사상체질간의 MBI, MAS 평균점수변화는 MBI, MAS 모두 반복측정 분산분석 결과 입원당시와 2주 후, 입원당시와 4주 후에서 모두 P<0.001의 범위에서 통계학적으로 유의하게 증가하였고, 경과시간과 사상체질간의 교호작용은 없었다. 3. MBI, MAS 모두 각 항목과 기능별 분류군에서도 경과시간에 따른 평균점수의 변화는 P<0.001 범위에서 통계학적으로 유의하게 증가하여 한방치료의 효과가 있음을 보여주었다. 4. MBI와 MAS의 경과시간별 Pearson 상관성 분석결과 입원당시의 MBI와 입원당시의 MAS에서, 2주 후의 MBI와 입원당시, 2주 후, 4주 후의 MAS에서, 4주 후의 MBI와 입원당시, 2주, 4주 후의 MAS에서 모두 높은 상관성을 보여, 두 평가방법 간에는 상관성이 높다고 본다.