• Title/Summary/Keyword: Financial Burden

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The Legal Nature and Problems of Air Mileage (항공마일리지의 법적 성격과 약관해석)

  • Kim, Dae-Kyu
    • The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.163-199
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    • 2010
  • A frequent flyer program is a loyalty program offered by many airlines. Typically, airline customers enrolled in the program accumulate frequent flyer miles corresponding to the distance flown on that airline or its partners. There are other ways to accumulate miles. In recent years, more miles were awarded for using co-branded credit and debit cards than for air travel. Acquired miles can be redeemed for free air travel; for other goods or services, such as travel class upgrades, airport lounge access or priority bookings. The first modern frequent flyer program was created Texas International Airlines in 1979. This program was also adopted in Korean Air in 1984. Since then, the mileage programs have grown enormously. As of June 2009, the total member of two national airlines in Korea had been over thirty million. However, accumulated miles could be burden of airlines, because the korean corporations should record the annual financial report the accumulate mileage on a liability account by 'the international financial report standards(IFRS)' next year. The korean airlines need to minimize the accumulated miles, so that for instance Korean Airlines SKYPASS-miles expire 5 years after being earned. It means that miles earned on or after July 2008 will expire after five years if unredeemed. Thus, this paper attempt to analyze the unfairness of the mileage rules of korean airlines by examining a specific portion of the conditions relating to consumer protection, because many mileage users has difficulties using mileage programs and complained the amendment of the mileage rules. In conclusion, the contemporary mileage rules in Korea are rather unsatisfactory, because airlines is not only recognizing a mileage into a kind of benefit but also denying inheritance of mileage and the legal nature of mileage as a property right. It is necessary to amend relevant mileage rules in view of consumer protection, because air mileage is not simple benefit but a right of mileage user.

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The Impact of Childhood Cancer on The Korean Family (암 환아 발생이 가족에게 미치는 영향에 관한 연구)

  • ;;Ida Martinson
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.636-652
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    • 1992
  • This study identified the impact of childhood cancer on the Korean family. The purpose was to contribute knowledge for family nursing and pediatric hospice care practice with sick children and their families. This descriptive study was conducted during a 6 month period with children who were being treated for cancer at six university hospitals in Seoul. The data were gathered from members of 68 families ; 24(Group A), with a child newly diagnosed with cancer : 27(Group B), with a child under treatment and without complications, and 17 (Group C), with a child in relapse. Medical records, structured questionnaires and interviews were used for data collection. The questionnaires and interview schedules had been used previously in Martinson's research in the USA and China. The findings, conclusions, and suggestions are as follows. 1. The impact of childhood cancer on the family. Members of the family experienced fear, helplessness, guilty feelings, and anger at the time of the initial diagnosis and at relapse. Mothers complained of headache, anorexia and poor appetite, weight loss, sleep disturbance, and bad dreams. Many of the fathers either lost or changed jobs, and all working mothers stopped working. Half the parents reported changes in their marital relationships such as frequent quarrels but also stronger unity. Family members perceived cancer as the most frightening disease. Change in their world view was expressed as living on faith understanding suffering, determining to live a better life, wanting to live an upright life and valuing health as the most important. Religious activities are found most helpful through this difficult experience. Financial debt due to the treatment and care of the sick child, burdened 22 families. The above mentioned impact was most evidant in Group B(those presently undergoing treatment) and Group C(those in relapse). Findings indicate that nursing care should embrace the family of a child who is being treated for cancer. 2. Characteristics of the child with cancer The majority of the children in this sample had a diagnosis of leukemia. Their mean age was 6.8 and the ratio of boys to girls was 1.12 ; 1. The mean hospitalization frequency was 13.5 times and the mean duration of illness was 16.8 months. Most of 1.he children perceived cancer as the most frightening disease ; 32.7% of the children described their sickness as serious. Children in Group C were hospitalized more frequently, stayed in hospital for longer periods, and expressed their sickness as quite serious more often than the other two groups. These findings indicate how much comprehensive pediatric hospice nursing care services are needed along with relevant research and nursing education. 3. Characteristics of the families. The mean age of the father was 39.5 and the mother, 36,6 ; they are in their most productive life period. Mothers especially expressed feelings of financial uneasiness and powerlessness about giving up their jobs, and guilty feelings for not providing enough care and concern to other children due to taking care of the sick one. The burden of caring for the sick child can bring negative changes in family dynamics which they think provoke potential health problems in members of the family These findings suggest a need for nursing support and counselling resources. Findings also suggest the need for ethical inquiry about such questions as who should give information to the child in regard to diagnosis and prognosis, when, and how. Other suggestions included : 1) Quality health care for childhood cancer such as home care and pediatric hospice programs should be established. 2) Special and practical consideration for long-term patients should be made in the present insurance coverage. The reimbursement period for long-term patients should be lengthened. 3) Further in-depth qualitative studies are needed. 4) Education programs including guided practice experience for pediatric hospice care practitioners are needed.

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Estimation of the Expected Socio-economic Benefits of the Largescale Comprehensive Agricultural Development Project and Jointcost Allocation -In the Case of Kumgang Project Area- (대단위 농업종합개발사업의 사회경제적 기대편익 추정과 결합비용의 배분 -금강지구를 중심으로-)

  • Lim, Jae Hwan
    • Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
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    • v.23 no.1
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    • pp.159-176
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    • 1996
  • This study is aimed at reviewing the methods of joint cost allocation and allocating the joint cost of estuary dam with specially repect to Kumgang Large-scale Agricultural Comprehensive Development Project. Apart from the water resource development project propelled by Water Resource Development Corporation in connection with Law of Multipurpose Dam Development, the Largescale Comprehensive Agricultural Development Projects couldn't ins-titutionally be carried out cost allocation of common facilities, even though it were concerned with irrigation, municipal and industrical water supply, flood control, sightseeing and industrial zone development components. To decrease farmer's burden of the project costs and, operation and maintenance costs, the joint costs of common facilities like estuary dam included in agricultural development projects have to be allocated by suitable method as alternative cost-remaining benefit method and the analytical activity should be supported by revising the concerned laws as Rural Development and Promotion and, Rural Rearrangement conpatible with the law for multipurpose dam development. Kumgang Agricultural Comprehensive Development Project was selected as a case study for the estimation of socio-economic benefits by project components and joint cost allocation of the estuary dam. The main results of the study are as follows; Joint cost allocation and unit charges by components 1. The project area will be 25,554ha with total project cost of 624,860 million won including the estuary dam cost of 120,843 million won. The project costs were ex-pressed by 1994 constant price. 2. Total quantity of water was estimated 365 million tons which were consisted of 245 million tons for irrigation, 73 million tons for municipal water and 47 million tons for industrial water. 3. The rates of joint cost allocation were amounted to 34.2% for agriculture, 2.5% for sightseeing, 45.7% for transportation, 11.8% for M & I water supply and 5.8% for flood control respectively. 4. The unit financial charges by project components were estimated at 7.88 won per ton for irrigation, 16.11won for M & I water, 1,686won per vehicle one pass, 977won per Pyeong according to the capital recovery method. The financial charges using straitline method for depreciation were estimated at 7.88won per ton for irrigation, 9.12won per ton for M & I water, 624won per vehicle one pass for transportation and 331won per Pyeong for sightseeing area. 5. The unit economic charges by project components were estimated at 21.1 won per ton for irrigation, 15.2won for M & I water, 977won per vehicle one pass, 977won per Pyeong according to the capital recovery method. The economic charges using straitline method for depreciation were estimated at 11.72won per ton for irrigation, 8.61won per ton for M & I water, 331won per vehicle one pass for transportation. Policy recommendation 1. The unit operation and maintenance costs for irrigation water in the paddy field couldn't be imposed as the water resource cost untreated. 2. The dam costs including investment cost and O & M cost, as a joint cost, had to be allocated by each benefited components as transportation, M & I water supply, flood control, irrigation and drainage, and sightseeing. But the agricultural comprehensive project have been dealt as an irrigation project without any appraisal socio-economic benefits and any allocating the joint cost of estuary dam. 3. All the associated project benefits and costs must be evaluated based on accounting principle and rent recovery rate of the project costs and O & M costs should be regulated by the laws concerned. 4. The rural development and promotion law and rural rearrangement law have to be revised comprising joint cost allocation considering free rider problems. 5. The government subsidy for the agricultural base development project has to be covered all the project costs. In case of common facilities representing joint cost allocation problems, all the allocated casts for other purposes like transportation and M & I water supply etc. should be recovered for formation in investment fund for agricultural base development and to procure O & M costs for irrigation facilities.

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Final Impact of Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Treatment in Age-related Macular Degeneration (연령관련황반변성 환자에서 항혈관내피성장인자의 치료 방법과 재정 영향 분석)

  • Yang, Jangmi;Shin, Sang Jin;Suh, Jae Kyung;Cho, Songhee;Tchoe, Hajin;Kang, Min Joo;Jee, Donghyun
    • Journal of The Korean Ophthalmological Society
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    • v.59 no.11
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    • pp.1039-1048
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    • 2018
  • Purpose: To evaluate the effects of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment on the healthcare-related finances of patients with age-related macular degeneration. Methods: Changes in health care financing due to newly introduced benefit standards were predicted over the coming 5-year period (2018-2022). We also analyzed the financial impact of scenarios in which agents similar to anti-VEGF, such as the over-licensed drug bevacizumab, were introduced. For this purpose, the future number of patients receiving anti-VEGF treatments was estimated for various scenarios based on National Health Insurance Corporation claims data followed by an estimate of the financial burden. Results: In the case of age-related macular degeneration, the current standard of care (14 times in a lifetime) was maintained in scenario 1. In 2018, the insurance budget for the coming 5-year period was estimated at approximately 440.3 billion won. The insurance cost for that period was estimated at approximately 560.1 billion won under the revised standard of December 2017 (scenario 2). For scenarios wherein, after 2020, similar treatments (scenario 3) and bevacizumab (scenario 4) were introduced, the estimated health insurance costs were 521 billion won and 419.7 billion won, respectively. Conclusions: Health insurance costs are projected to increase substantially due to the elimination of the 14 time pay standard; however, the actual budget will only moderately increase, due to new limitations of visual acuity ${\leq}0.1$ or in case of scarring/atrophic lesions. Clinically similar agents and bevacizumab could be considered as alternatives to anti-VEGF treatment for age-related macular degeneration.

Liabilities of Air Carrier Who Sponsored Financially Troubled Affiliate Shipping Company (항공사(航空社)의 부실 계열 해운사(海運社) 지원에 따른 법적 책임문제)

  • Choi, June-Sun
    • The Korean Journal of Air & Space Law and Policy
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    • v.32 no.1
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    • pp.177-200
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    • 2017
  • This writer have thus far reviewed the civil and criminal obligations of the directors of a parent company that sponsored financially troubled affiliates. What was discussed here applies to logistics companies in the same manner. Hanjin Shipping cannot expect its parent company, Korean Air to prop it up financially. If such financial aid is offered without any collateral, under Korean criminal law, the directors of the parent company bears the burden of civil and criminal responsibility. One way to get around this is to secure fairness in terms of the process and the content of aid. Fairness in terms of process refers to the board of directors making public all information and approving such aid. Fairness in terms of content refers to impartial transactions that block out any possibilities of the chairman of the corporate group acting in his private interest. In the case of Korean Air bailing out Hanjin, the meeting of board of directors were held five times and a thorough review was conducted on the risks involved in the loans being repaid or not. After the review, measures to guard against undesirable scenarios were established before finally deciding on bailing out Hanjin. As such, there are no issues. In terms of the fairness of content, too, there were practically no room for the majority shareholder or controlling shareholder to pocket profits at the expense of the company. This is because the continued aid offered to a financially troubled company (i.e. Hanjin Shipping) was a posing a burden to even the controlling shareholder. This writer argues that the concept of the interest of the entire corporate group needs to be recognized. That is, it must be recognized that the relationship of control and being controlled between parent company and affiliate company, or between affiliate companies serves a practical benefit to the ongoing concern and growth of the group and is therefore just. Moreover, the corporate group and its affiliates, as well as their directors and management must recognize that they have an obligation to prioritize the interests of the corporate group ahead of the interests of the company that they are directly associated with. As such, even if Korean Air offered a loan to Hanjin Shipping without collateral, the act cannot be treated as an offense to law, nor can the directors be accused of damages that they bear the responsibility of compensating under civil law.

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Analysis of the Perception of Hospice and Narcotic Analgesics by Family Caregivers of Terminal Cancer Patient (말기 암 환자 보호자의 호스피스와 마약성 진통제에 대한 인식도 분석)

  • Kwak, Kyung-Sook;Chun, Sung-Ho;Ha, Jung-Ok;Lee, Kyung-Hee
    • Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.106-111
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    • 2006
  • Purpose: In terminal cancer patients, pain control with narcotic analgesics and supportive care by hospice are very useful treatment modality. However, many patients and their caregivers are poorly compliant in using narcotic analgesics for fear of addiction and tolerance. And also many patients and family caregivers are reluctant to accept hospice, presuming that hospice means patient's condition is no longer reversible and progressively deteriorating. The purpose of this study was to evaluate and analyze the perception of using narcotic analgesics and hospice by family caregivers of terminal cancer patients who play a critical role in health care in Korean culture. Methods: A total of 54 terminal ranter patient's family caregivers participated in this study. Questionnaire consisted of 15 questions about narcotic analgesics and hospice. Results: The study revealed following results. 1) family caregivers who are not aware of hospice are more than half (56.7%). 2) 81.8% of family caregivers agreed that hospice care is beneficial to terminal cancer patients. 3) 85.1% of family caregivers were under financial burden. 4) 83.2% of patient complained pain in 24 hours. 3) while 88.5% of family caregivers believed that narcotic analgesics can control pair, 79.1% and 79.6% of them also believed that use of narcotic analgesics would result in addiction and tolerance, respectively. Conclusion: There still exist barriers to family caregivers in using narcotic analgesics for pain control. And also, terminal cancer patient's family caregivers have poor information about hospice. Therefore, educational intervention about narcotic analgesics by pharmacist and doctors are needed for proper pain control for terminal ranter patients. In addition, more precise information about hospice care should be provided for terminal cancer patients and their family caregivers.

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A Study on the Work of Dental Hygienists by Service Area (치과위생사의 근무지별 업무실태에 관한 조사 연구)

  • Moon, Kyung-Sook;Hwang, Yoon-Sook;Kim, Young-Kyung;Jung, Jae-Yeon
    • Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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    • v.2 no.1
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    • pp.63-83
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to serve as a basis for more efficient dental hygienist human resources utilization and for determining some of the right directions for supplementary education for dental hygienists, by examining how they actually worked and what they thought of job-related things. The subjects in this study were 537 dental hygienists who participated in a seminar by the Korea Dental Hygienist Association. After a survey was conducted, the following findings were given: 1. 50.2% of the dental hygienists investigated completed legally required eight-class education. Those who worked in clinics took less supplementary education classes than the others in the other types of dental institutions. The main reason they didn't receive supplementary education was financial burden and uncooperative employers. 73.2% took supplementary education at the association or its branches. The association was most favored by those in clinical sector as a place that provides supplementary education, followed by its branch and university in the order named. And the dental hygienists in public health sector preferred university most, and the next best favored one was the association and its branch in the order named. Those in clinical sector hoped to acquire clinical information on patient management, implant or aesthetics, and the dental hygienists in public health sector wanted to learn about health administration, public oral health operations and oral health education, which were different from what those in clinical sector wanted. 2. Regarding the period of service, 492% had worked for three years or more. This fact suggested that their service term and average age continued to grow. And they thought they would decide the retirement time on their own. 3. The most common yearly income ranged from 12 million won to 16 million won(40.7%). For-those in clinics, yearly income was 14.36 million won, and that of the dental hygienists who had worked for less than 3 years was 12.90 million won. 4. The Korea Dental Hygienist Association was most required to protect the rights and interests of the members and offer new knowledge and technology. 5. The largest group of them were engaged in patient management, and this type of job also was the most favored one for them to do. The greatest number of the dental hygienists in public health sector were in charge of dental treatment. 6. Concerning their turnover rate, 492% had never changed their occupation. Specifically, 70.0% of the respondents who had worked for less than 3 years had have no experience to do that. The time constraints for self-development and conflicts with other workers were the cause of their turnover. Those in dental hospital and general hospital changed their occupation chiefly due to the lack of time for self-development, and for the dental hygienists in clinics, the conflicts with other workers were the main reason. The above-mentioned findings suggested that the way the dental hygienists looked at things was undergoing change. The service area made a difference to their preference for the type of supplementary education and institution in charge of it, as those in public health and clinical sectors had a different opinion. And the dental hygienists in clinical sector had a different opinion as well, according to service area, about salaries, reason of not taking supplementary education, preferred type of supplementary education, cause of turnover, and type of occupation to which they hoped to change employment. To utilize and supply human resources in a more stabilized manner, job description should be more segmented, standardized and classified clearly, and dental hygienists should be motivated to perform their substantial jobs, including oral disease prevention, oral prophylaxis and oral health education. To make it happen, it seems that dentists are required to have a clear understanding of dental hygienist job and to change the way they look at it.

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Patient Distribution and Hospital Admission Costs in Neonatal Intensive Care Units: Collective Study of 7 Hospitals in Korea during 2006 (2006년도 전국 7개 병원 신생아중환자실 입원 현황 및 입원비용 분석)

  • Bae, Chong-Woo;Kim, Ki-Soo;Kim, Byeong-Il;Shin, Son-Moon;Lee, Sang-Lak;Lim, Baek-Keun;Choi, Young-Youn
    • Neonatal Medicine
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    • v.16 no.1
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    • pp.25-35
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    • 2009
  • Purpose: The characteristics of hospitalized patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), including hospitalization costs (HC) and National Health Insurance (NHI) status were studied. Methods: We gathered the following data from 7 hospitals in Korea during 2006: the distribution of patients according to birth weight (BW), and the duration of the hospital stay according to BW and He. Results: The patients who were admitted to the NICU consisted of high-risk neonates, including low birth weight or premature neonates, which comprised 50% of all neonates admitted to the NICU. The duration of hospitalization was 75-90 days for neonates with BW <1,000 g, 45-60 days for neonates with BW between 1,000 and 1,499 g, and approximately 15 days for neonates with BW between 2,000 and 2,499 g. The portion of the HC covered by the NHI was 77.1%, 22.9% of the total HC was not covered by the NHI (19.5% was included in the list, but not covered by the NHI and 3.4% was not listed, but covered by the NHI). The average total HC per person was 4,360,000 won, and the HC covered and not covered by the NHI were 3,677,000 won and 1,007,000 won, respectively. The mean HC were as follows; 35,000,000 won for a BW <500 g, 18,000,000 won for a BW between 500 and 999 g, 16,000,000 won for a BW between 1,000 and 1,499 g, and 4,200,000 won for a BW between 1,500 and 1,999 g. Conclusion: Not only premature, but also ill neonates were under the care of the NICU. The HC increased as the BW decreased and the hospitalization period increased. The proportion of the patient's financial burden is >25% of the total He. For this matter, additional NHI is needed.

A survey on sex life behavior and factors of low back pain (요통환자들의 성생활 행태와 영향 요인 조사)

  • Nam, Chul-Hyun;Woo, Kwang-Seog
    • Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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    • v.9 no.3
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    • pp.31-49
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    • 2002
  • The purpose of this study was to investigate discomforts and sexual life and to identify the relation between the discomforts and sexual life with low back pain. The data were collected from March 2 through July 31, 2001. Four hundred forty-two questionnaires were returned (response rate=88.0%). Analysis of the data was done with SPSS PC+ and use descriptive statistics, $x^2$-test, t-test, ANOVA. regression. The statistics shows that over than 80% of the adults experienced lumbago at least one time in their life, and Back pain is known as one of the most common complaints made by the patients of all ages in the general hospital or local medical clinics throughout. However, in certain case it leads to a chronic condition which can cause a great deal of problems in management and in financial burden to individuals and society. The result of this study was summarized as follows: 1) It appeared that regarding the distribution of gender, male was the higher(63.6%) then that of female, the portion of forties was 28.5%. Sitting for long time was 23.1% in men and 21.7% in women. Unknown reason including sexual behaviour was 12.9% in men and 15.5% in women. Patients treated medicine and physical therapy were 36.4%. In level of educational background, the rate of high school was 31.0%, technical college was 28.5%. The highest proportion by occupation was 18.3% of office workers, occupation posture was 41.9% of sitting. 2) Men(26.0%) and most of women(34.8%) were not satisfied in the explanation satisfaction rate of sex life concerned disease. 23.8% in men and 23.6% in women considered flexibility of waist good. Man(33.3%) and most of woman(35.0%) considered that Health education is necessary. 32.7% in men and 27.3% in women did't mind educator is whoever. Preventing of lower back pain(LBP) and proper Health education of sex life are demanded in daily life. 3) 58.0% of man and 64.0% of woman mostly had a posture which is man over woman. 28.5% in men and 27.8% in women considered that proper information finding of LBP and sex life was very few and few. 37.7% in men and 42.7% in women have acquired information about sex life flung their friends. 4) The number of sex life was decreased from 2.96 0.98 to 2.61 1.63 and also the time of sex life was decreased from 3.65 1.89 to 226 1.64. The satisfaction rate of sex life changed from 3.60 0.86 to 2.77 1.10. In the number of sex life, The non correct group was 2.62 1.91 and the correct group was higher in 2.68 1.65. In the time of sex life, The non correct group was 2.02 1.47 and the correct group was higher in 229 1.65. The satisfaction rate of sex life was 2.76 0.86 in non correct group and 2.88 1.10 in correct group. So there was a difference. 5) In the satisfaction rate of sex life, Men who have a lower back pain were higher than women and no attack group was higher than attack group. As they had many sex life, the satisfaction rate was higher significantly in statistics. As the time of sex life was short, the satisfaction rate was lower significantly in statistics. As the age was low, the demand rate of Health education was high and as means of patient who had a lower back pain was high, the demand rate of Health education was high. As the patient who had a lower back pain had a long married life, the demand rate of Health education was high and as education level was high, the demand rate of Health education was high. It is necessary to provide patients with conservative treatment, educational teaching, and training to prevent further injuries in the future. In general, it is important to educate the public how to prevent back injuries and how to treat themselves in an onset period to prevent further injuries sliding into a chronic state. Sexuality is an integral part of normal and healthy relationships, but patients are unable to enjoy sex because they are riot able to get into a comfortable position due to back pain. Many conditions of the spine can make certain positions uncomfortable. Health educator should make the education program of the discomforts and the sexual pattern for low back pain in workplace and/or hospital. Further study Is needed on how to integrate the educational program on sexuality into the total rehabilitation program.

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A Phenomenological Study for Hospitalized Elderly무s Powerlessness (병원에 입원한 노인의 무력감 현상 연구)

  • 최영희;김경은
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.26 no.1
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    • pp.223-247
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    • 1996
  • This study was done to provide information which would lead to nursing care of the elderly being more holistically through an understanding of the phenomena of powerlessness based on the lived experience of powerlessness by the elderly, the meaning the elderly give to such phenomena, and what essence of powerlessness is. The methodology used in this study was Max Van Manen's phenomenological method based on the philosophy of Merleu-Ponty and a concerted approach was realized through the 11 steps suggested in the Van Manen's method. Data collection was done from March 2, 1995 to December 30, 1995. The subjects for this study were four elderly persons who lived with their families and who were over 60 years of age. Data were collected about the lived experience of the elderly, this researcher's experience of powerlessness, the linguistic meaning of powerlessness, idioms of the word or a feeling of powerlessness, and descriptions of powerlessness in the elderly as they appeared in the literature, are works, and phenomenological literature. All data were used to provide insights into the phenomena of powerlessness. Data about the experience of powerlessness by the elderly were collected through open interviews, participation, and observation. In the analysis of the theme of this study, the aspects of the theme, powerlessness in the elderly were clarified, thereby abstracting and finding meaningful statements by the elderly about their feeling of powerlessness, and then those significant statements were expressed as linguistic transformations. The summarized findings from the study are as follows : 1. Five meanings of powerlessness in the elderly were defined. 〈weakness〉, 〈dependence〉, 〈frustration〉, 〈worthlessness〉 and 〈giving up〉. 2. 〈Weakness〉 means that the elderly experience, not only their aging but also, their becoming weak and the loss of physical function frequently caused by diseases. 〈Dependence〉 means that the elderly experience dependence without any influence from the surroundings and that elderly patients who are hospitalized lose their autonomy, follow entirely their doctor's prescriptions, use aid equipment and directions, and depend only on those things. 〈Frustration〉 means that the elderly experience the loss of their roles from the past, there by feeling that there is no work for them to do anymore and therefore feel unable to do anything. 〈Worthlessness〉 means that the elderly experience the feeling of losing their social roles from the past, having no financial ability, thereby being a burden to their children or the people around them, and therefore regarding themselves useless. 〈Giving up〉 means that the elderly experience the feeling of closeness to death in the final stage of their lifetime, lose hope to be healed from their disease, and recognize the incontrollability of their own body. 3. From a general view of the meaning of the theme the powerlessness in the elderly-the most essential meaning of the theme is the 〈sense of loss〉. For the elderly are experiencing a sense of loss in the situation of being elderly and therefore being often hospitalized. Brief definitions of the five phenomena could be 〈weakness〉 meaning the loss of physical strength, 〈dependence〉 the loss of mentality caused by disease and hospitalization, 〈frustration〉 and 〈worthlessness〉 the loss of social performance caused by the loss of social functions from the past, and lastly 〈giving up〉 the loss of the controllability of such situations of aging and suffering disease. In light of the discussion above, it is understandable that the hospitalized elderly experience powerlessness not only as it related to their diseases but also to their normal aging, and this related to other characteristics of being elderly means that the 〈sense of loss〉 is the very essence of their powerlessness. 4. While most cases are of the normal elderly experiencing powerlessness in relation to their social network, cases of elderly who are hospitalized are of those experiencing powerlessness in relation to the loss of their physical desire. 5. The findings discussed above can serve as guidelines for nurses who take care of the ill elderly who are hospitalized and that can provide cues to appropriate nursing service, recognizing that the subjective experience of the objective age of the elderly is so important. Nurses can provide highly qualitative nursing service, based on their deep understanding of the suffering of the elderly due to feelings of powerlessness.

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