• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.9-13
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the factors influencing the rescue medication decisions for breakthrough cancer patients and evaluate treatments using the factors. Methods: Based on the results of an online survey conducted by the Korean Society of Hospice and Palliative Care from September 2014 through December 2014, we assessed the level of agreement on nine factors influencing rescue medication preference. The same factors were used to evaluate oral transmucosal fentanyl lozenge, oral oxycodone and intravenous morphine. Results: Agreed by 77 physicians, a rapid onset of action was the most important factor for their decision of rescue medication. Other important factors were easy administration, strong efficacy, predictable efficacy and less adverse effects. Participants agreed that intravenous morphine produced a rapid onset of action and strong and predictable efficacy and cited difficulty of administration and adverse effects as negative factors. Oral oxycodone was desirable in terms of easy administration and less adverse effects. However, its onset of action was slower than intravenous morphine. While many agreed to easy administration of oral transmucosal fentanyl lozenge, the level of agreement was low for strength and predictability of its efficacy, long-term durability and sleep improvement. Conclusion: Rapid onset of action is one of the important factors that influence physicians' selection of rescue medication. Physicians' assessment of rescue medication differed by medication.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.161-173
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• 2021

Purpose: This study examined: 1) what it meant for patients to have multimorbidity 2) how they manage their illness using health care facilities, and 3) what contextual backgrounds exist regarding the health care system. Methods: This qualitative research obtained individual in-depth interviews from 22 patients. Participants were selected by purposive sampling among those who saw physicians more often than the national average from the 2013 medical-claim data. The transcribed data were analyzed using Ground theory. Results: Multimorbidity patients suffered from "chain-like serial symptoms" and "pain without a breakthrough". They expressed themselves as "indeed patients among patients", "my body is a general hospital", and "an incompletely normal person". There was a demand to resolve the anxiety arising from the situation in which the body keeps getting sicker without showing any signs of recovery. In a state of reduced social support and a lack of trust in the doctor, their desire to be healed led them to receive a temporary relief through dependence on medical institutions. Conclusion: This research recognized the desire of multimorbidity patients to seek temporary relief through dependence on medical institutions. A more patient-centered directed care plan, specific to the needs of the patients with multimorbidity is required.