• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.45 no.3
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• pp.1-10
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• 2007

The current study used the critical science paradigm to explore the kinds of oppression experienced by the families of patients in hospitals, and to suggest how the practices should be changed for problem solving. Ethnographic observations and individual interviews were peformed for data collection from the 25 family members of critically ill patients. The results revealed the powerlessness of patients' families caused by multiple oppressions. They were struggling with family-unfriendly hospital systems, negative interactions with medical staff, limited supports from health care systems, and their own resignation to fate. Strategies were discussed to facilitate changes in institutional, humane, policy, and religious/spiritual aspect. The study findings will contribute to promoting the rights of patients' families.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.76-86
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to provide deep understanding of the reported experiences of families with their loved one in the intensive care unit (ICU), focusing on interactions with healthcare providers. Methods: The data were collected by individual interviews of eleven participants. The transcribed data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis to identify major themes and sub-themes that represented the experiences of families. Results: Five themes and 13 sub-themes emerged. "Captive of patients' delayed death: Fear and anxiety" describes psychological problems arising when the family member became critically ill enough to warrant being admitted to the ICU. "Families as the weak: Suppression and resistance" describes interpersonal difficulties arising due to lack of information and trust with healthcare providers. "Deprivation of authority and duty as families: Helplessness" illustrate situational barriers in attempting to protect and support family member. "Re-establishment of trust relationship with healthcare providers: Gratitude and appreciation" describes how they satisfied with themselves by regaining trust relationship. Lastly, "Acceptance of reality through direct care participation: Relief and peace" illustrates peace of mind by gaining sense of reality through active direct care participation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates the positive and negative experiences of families with ICU patients. The results will be useful in developing family-centered nursing interventions.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.143-155
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the difficulties and coping that advanced practice nurses (APNs) experience in home health nursing field. Methods: The participants were 12 APNs who had experience in home health nursing for over 5 years. Data were collected through two focus group interviews between August and September, 2017. The results were analyzed using a qualitative content analysis. Results: Out of 10 sub-categories and 29 codes, 4 categories emerged: "crushed by the responsibilities as the only healthcare professional", "worn out by family who interfere with work", "anxiety about my safety being threatened" and "using self-learned know-hows". Conclusion: APNs face difficulties due to the environmental characteristics of the homes, the characteristics of chronically critically ill (CCI) patients and their families, and legal or systematical limitations when dealing with problems based on their personal competence. In order to ensure that professional nursing care is more readily provided to CCI patients through home health nursing services in local communities, it is imperative that support systems at the organizational and institutional levels be established in a systematic way to resolve the issues faced by APNs.