• Journal of Korean Society for Quality Management
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.643-662
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand an individuals' COVID-19 vaccine acceptance intention during the peak of the pandemic by utilizing the coping theory and technology threat avoidance theory (TTAT) as a framework. Specifically, we focused on understanding how inward and outward emotion-focused coping (EFC), such as psychological distancing and emotional support seeking, affect problem-focused behavior (PFC), which is vaccine acceptance. Furthermore, we investigate how the individuals' cognitive appraisal to- ward COVID-19, consisted of perceived threat and perceived avoidability act as an antecedent of EFC. Methods: A PLS-SEM analysis was conducted to find the causal relation between the variables. An online survey was conducted targeting vaccination recipients on April, 2021. Participants were asked about their perception toward the virus, their coping strategy, and vaccine acceptance intention. A total of 186 valid samples were collected and used for the analysis. Furthermore, to analyze the out-of-sample predictive power of the research model and ensure the generalizability of the results, a PLSpredict analysis was conducted. Results: The results of the PLS-SEM analysis show that perceived threat toward COVID-19 significantly affect an individuals' EFC strategy. Furthermore, both types of inward EFC (psychological distancing, wishful thinking) negatively affected vaccine acceptance intention. On the other hand, emotional support seeking, which is a type of outward EFC, positively affected vaccine acceptance. The result of the PLSpredict analysis confirms the generalizability of the PLS-SEM result. Conclusion: The results of our study could be utilized to decrease vaccine hesitancy and prevent global pandemics by accelerating and increasing vaccination. Our study provides several meaningful implications to researchers and practitioners regarding vaccine acceptance and threat coping behavior.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.302-306
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• 2020

Objectives: In this paper, we aimed to investigate the evolving debate over border closure in Korea during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, to address the main themes associated with border closure, and to discuss the factors that need to be considered when making such decisions. Methods: We collated and reviewed previously conducted review studies on border closures during infectious disease outbreaks to derive relevant themes and factors. Results: According to our systematic review on border closures and travel restrictions, the effects of such containment efforts are limited. We suggest considering the following factors when determining whether to impose border closure measures: (1) disease characteristics, (2) timeliness of implementation, (3) transmission delay and the basic reproduction number, (4) globalization and pandemics, and (5) social and economic costs. Conclusions: Our assessment indicates that the effects of border closures are at best temporary and limited. Alternative measures must be contemplated and implemented to suppress the spread of COVID-19 in particular and infectious diseases more broadly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.573-584
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to develop an untact visit service based on an application that can be utilized in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) during COVID-19. Methods: This study adopted the double diamond process of service design comprising the discovery, defining, and development stages. Results: We developed an untact visit service based on an application that considered the child's status, schedule, photo, and video messages, and so on. Moreover, we derived a service flow regarding the required roles and the type of flow shown between each stakeholder. Conclusion: Considering the ongoing pandemic, the untact visit service is designed to increase rapport and participation of parents, share the child's information in real-time, and provide one-stop service without increasing healthcare providers' work. It will be a useful visit service that can be applied and evaluated in various hospital settings and the PICU.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.312-327
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• 2021

Background: Infection prevention and control (IPC) to manage healthcare-associated infection (HCAI) has emerged as one of the most significant public health issues in Korea. The purpose of this study is to draw implications in IPC policies by analyzing the context, process, and major actors in policy development and comparatively analyzing IPC policy contents of Korea with three other countries. Additionally, IPC policies were analyzed in the context of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) to provide implications for future pandemics and HCAI events. Methods: This study incorporates a qualitative approach based on document and content analysis, applying codes and thematic categorization. IPC policy contents are comparatively analyzed by adopting the concept model, developed by the World Health Organization, which consists of core components of IPC structure at the national and facility level. Results: National IPC policies were developed within a complex social and political context, through the involvement of various stakeholders. IPC policies in Korea place a high emphasis on establishing IPC programs and built environments in healthcare facilities, whereas there were potentials for improvement in policies involving patients and promoting a safety culture. IPC policies, which currently focus on general hospitals and certain functions of hospitals, should further be expanded to target all healthcare facilities and functions, to ensure more efficient and sustainable IPC responses in the current and future disease outbreaks. Conclusion: IPC is a complex policy arena and lessons learned from the analysis of existing policies in the context of COVID-19 should provide valuable strategic implications for future policies.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.17-25
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• 2021

Background: This study aims to report how the practice of plastic surgeons and their attitude was during the first measure period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Methods: A survey study was held among members of the Indonesian Association of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons during week 5 after the first report of COVID-19. A 10 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and 1 essay covered key questions on the area of surgery and operating room, clinics, internal meeting, and consultation. The only open-ended question relates to the last MCQ addresses a future "flipped" medical practice. Results: Response rate was 45.6% among 228 members, with 89.4% did no practice or limited their service to emergency and urgent cases only. Only 1.9% kept their official meeting as usual, while the majority modified it. The practice in the operating theatre and clinic were also altered to comply with the measures; with 21.2% from the total respondents only allowed patients with exposure to come for visit after taking 14 days of self-quarantine. Teleconsultation was practiced by 50% of the respondents, while 41.3% agreed and 10.6% disagreed upon the future "flipped" medical practice. Conclusion: In general plastic surgeons have made supportive actions during the pandemic. Surgery was performed with all precautions at the utmost as a reflection of high alert of viral infection. Teleconsultation has been embraced via existing social media. Agreement upon the future "flipped" medical practice is reasonable. All in all, the actions were considered as most relevant.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.648-660
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to develop an emerging infectious disease (COVID-19) simulation module for nursing students and verify its effectiveness. Methods: A one-group pretest-posttest quasi-experimental study was conducted with 78 under-graduate nursing students. A simulation module was developed based on the Jeffries simulation model. It consisted of pre-simulation lectures on disaster nursing including infectious disease pandemics, practice, and debriefings with serial tests. The scenarios contained pre-hospital settings, home visits, arrival to the emergency department, and follow-up home visits for rehabilitation. Results: Disaster preparedness showed a statistically significant improvement, as did competencies in disaster nursing. Confidence in disaster nursing increased, as did willingness to participate in disaster response. However, critical thinking did not show significant differences between time points, and neither did triage scores. Conclusion: The developed simulation program targeting an infectious disease disaster positively impacts disaster preparedness, disaster nursing competency, and confidence in disaster nursing, among nursing students. Further studies are required to develop a high-fidelity module for nursing students and medical personnel. Based on the current pandemic, we suggest developing more scenarios with virtual reality simulations, as disaster simulation nursing education is required now more than ever.

• Journal of the Korea Institute of Military Science and Technology
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 2024

Various vaccines were rapidly developed during the COVID-19 pandemic to prevent and treat infections but global infections continue, and concerns about new mutations and infectious diseases persist. Thus, active research focuses on developing, producing, and supplying vaccines and treatments for various infectious diseases and potential pandemics. Natural killer(NK) cells, as innate immune cells, can recognize and eliminate abnormal cells like virus-infected and cancer cells. Hence, their development as anticancer and antiviral treatments is rapidly advancing. In this study, optimal short-term culture conditions were identified for allogeneic NK cells by simplifying the culture process through the isolation of NK cells(referred to as NKi cells) and eliminating CD3+ cells(referred to as CD3- cells). NK cells demonstrated reduced viral titer in injection of NK cells into SARS-CoV-2 infected ACE-tg mice increased survival. The study's findings could form the basis for an antiviral treatment platform that swiftly responds to new viral disease pandemics.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.162-165
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• 2020

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has brought the world to a standstill and has exposed the lack of preparedness of most nations' health care systems. Even in usual times, palliative care has not received its fair share of recognition as an important component of patient care; instead, the emphasis is often placed on aggressive patient management. Now, with the entire medical community and decision-making committees focussed on intensive patient care, end-of-life care has taken a backseat. Methods: This article is a brief communication. Results: COVID 19 infection has been shown to lead to greater mortality and morbidity in patients with pre-existing illnesses such as hypertension, diabetes, renal failure, and cancer. Patients typically in need of end-of-life care, such as those with late-stage cancer or heart failure, are therefore at a higher risk of both contracting COVID-19 and suffering a more severe disease course. The strict nationwide lockdowns being imposed in most countries have deterred patients from seeking medical attention or hospice care. Every day new research is coming to light regarding COVID 19. This has helped significantly in creating awareness and limiting the spread of disease. However, misinformation is also rampant, leading to discrimination and mistreatment of infected patients. Conclusion: This pandemic has been a terrifying ordeal for all and has exposed our entire population physically, psychologically, emotionally, and financially to unimaginable stresses. In the present scenario, EOL care is as much a necessity as intensive care and should be given at least a fraction of its importance.

• International Journal of Computer Science & Network Security
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• v.21 no.12spc
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• pp.629-635
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• 2021

In the spring, 2020, the pandemic caused quarantine and all educational institutions switched to distance learning, which led to significant changes in the field of education around the world. It has become necessary to build its capacity to provide distance learning to protect education and create opportunities for more individualized approaches to teaching and learning not only during future pandemics but also during other possible issues, such as natural disasters, when a developed flexible curricula could be taught face-to-face or online. The article presents an analysis of distance education in the world during a pandemic, analyzes significant changes, and implements measures in the field of education in Ukraine and around the world. The role of public and international organizations in the implementation of quarantine in the conditions of COVID-19, which partially took over the functions of state and local authorities, is emphasized. The closure of schools under COVID-19 has led to a de facto deterioration in learning outcomes, so we have analyzed the effects of distance learning and digital inequality in the world. It is shown how the COVID-19 pandemic affected access to public services in Ukraine.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.241-245
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• 2021

Background: It has been reported that a new type of headache may develop as a result of face mask use during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical features of face mask-related headache during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out on healthcare workers at the Afyonkarahisar Health Sciences University. The number of workers at our university was established. Sample size was calculated using the G*Power program. A questionnaire consisting of questions relating to pre-existing headache, an aggravation in headache, and de-novo headache was filled out by 3 neurologists with all participants. Results: Data was collected from a total of 375 participants, after the exclusion of 5 individuals who refused to participate. Out of all participants, 26 (6.9%) used a filtering mask, 274 (73.1%) used a surgical mask, 75 (20.0%) participants used a combination of both masks. The number of participants with preexisting headache was 114 (30.4%) had pre-existing headache. Of those with pre-existing headache, 77 (67.5%) healthcare workers had reported an aggravation in their headache after mask use. De-novo headache was observed in 116 (30.9%) of participants. De-novo headache characteristics included throbbing in 17 (14.7%) participants and pressing in 99 (85.3%) participants. In addition, symptoms such as tachypnea, sleep disturbance, and fatigue were found to be significantly higher. Conclusions: This study indicates that healthcare workers develop headaches due to use of masks during the COVID-19 outbreak.