• Title/Summary/Keyword: Mental health law

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Associations between Psychological Distress and Body Mass Index among Law Enforcement Officers: The National Health Interview Survey 2004-2010

  • Gu, Ja K.;Charles, Luenda E.;Burchfiel, Cecil M.;Andrew, Michael E.;Ma, Claudia;Bang, Ki Moon;Violanti, John M.
    • Safety and Health at Work
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.52-62
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    • 2013
  • Objectives: To investigate the association between psychological distress and obesity among law enforcement officers (LEOs) in the United States. Methods: Self-reported data on psychological distress based on six key questions were obtained from LEOs who participated in the National Health Interview Survey (2004-2010). We used Prochaska's cut-point of a Kessler 6 score ${\geq}5$ for moderate/high mental distress in our analysis. Mean levels of body mass index (BMI) were compared across three levels of psychological distress. Results: The average age of LEOs (n = 929) was 39.3 years; 25% were female. Overall, 8.1% of LEOs had moderate or high psychological distress; 37.5% were obese (BMI ${\geq}30$). Mean BMI increased with increasing psychological distress (no distress, BMI = $27.2kg/m^2$; mild distress, $27.6kg/m^2$; and moderate/high distress, $33.1kg/m^2$; p = 0.016) after adjustment for age, race, income, and education level among female officers only. Physical activity modified the association between psychological distress and BMI but only among male LEOs (interaction p = 0.002). Among male LEOs reporting low physical activity, psychological distress was positively associated with BMI ($30.3kg/m^2$ for no distress, 30.7 for mild distress, 31.8 for moderate/high distress; p = 0.179) after adjustment, but not significantly. This association was not significant among males reporting high physical activity. Conclusion: Mean BMI significantly increased as psychological distress increased among female LEOs. A longitudinal study design may reveal the directionality of this association as well as the potential role that physical activity might play in this association.

Hospice Medicine and Nursing Ethics (호스피스의료와 간호윤리)

  • Moon, Seong-Jea
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.385-411
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    • 2008
  • The goal of medicine is to contribute to promoting national health by preventing diseases and providing treatment. The scope of modern medicine isn't merely confined to disease testing, treatment and prevention in accordance to that, and making experiments by using the human body is widespread. The advance in modern medicine has made a great contribution to valuing human dignity and actualizing a manly life, but there is a problem that has still nagged modern medicine: treatment and healing for terminal patients including cancer patients. In advanced countries, pain care and hospice medicine are already universal. Offering a helping hand for terminal patients to lead a less painful and more manly life from diverse angles instead of merely focusing on treatment is called the very hospice medicine. That is a comprehensive package of medical services to take care of death-facing terminal patients and their families with affection. That is providing physical, mental and social support for the patients to pass away in peace after living a dignified and decent life, and that is comforting their bereaved families. The National Hospice Organization of the United States provides terminal patients and their families with sustained hospital care and home care in a move to lend assistance to them. In our country, however, tertiary medical institutions simply provide medical care for terminal patients to extend their lives, and there are few institutional efforts to help them. Hospice medicine is offered mostly in our country by non- professionals including doctors, nurses, social workers, pastors or physical therapists. Terminal patients' needs cannot be satisfied in the same manner as those of other patients, and it's needed to take a different approach to their treatment as well. Nevertheless, the focus of medical care is still placed on treatment only, which should be taken seriously. Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs and Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service held a public hearing on May 21, 2008, on the cost of hospice care, quality control and demonstration project to gather extensive opinions from the academic community, experts and consumer groups to draw up plans about manpower supply, facilities and demonstration project, but the institutions are not going to work on hospice education, securement of facilities and relevant legislation. In 2002, Ministry for Health, Welfare & Family Affairs made an official announcement to introduce a hospice nurse system to nurture nurse specialists in this area. That ministry legislated for the qualifications of advanced nurse practitioner and a hospice nurse system(Article 24 and 2 in Enforcement Regulations for the Medical Law), but few specific plans are under way to carry out the regulations. It's well known that the medical law defines a nurse as a professional health care worker, and there is a move to draw a line between the responsibilities of doctors and those of nurses in association with medical errors. Specifically, the roles of professional hospice are increasingly expected to be accentuated in conjunction with treatment for terminal patients, and it seems that delving into possible problems with the job performance of nurses and coming up with workable countermeasures are what scholars of conscience should do in an effort to contribute to the development of medicine and the realization of a dignified and manly life.

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The status of intimate partner violence against pregnant women in contemporary China: a scoping review

  • Xue Mei Fan;Hae Won Kim
    • Women's Health Nursing
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    • v.30 no.1
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    • pp.41-55
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    • 2024
  • Purpose: This review explored the status of publications on intimate partner violence (IPV) against pregnant women in contemporary China. Methods: The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, CINAHL, and PsycInfo databases were searched using the terms "IPV," "pregnant woman," "Chinese," and synonyms in English, along with related keywords for Chinese publications. All literature pertaining to IPV during pregnancy, conducted in China, and published between 1987 and September 2023 was included. Results: A total of 37 articles from 30 studies were selected. The prevalence of IPV during pregnancy ranged from 2.5% to 31.3%, with psychological violence being the most common form. Frequently identified risk factors included unintended pregnancy, poor family economic conditions, male partners engaging in health risk behaviors, poor employment status of women or their partners, low education levels among women, physical or mental health issues, strained couple relationships, and in-law conflicts. IPV during pregnancy primarily led to mental health problems for the victims and could result in adverse obstetric outcomes, as well as negative effects on the temperament and development of the offspring. Victims in China demonstrated a low willingness to seek help from professionals. Furthermore, relevant research in mainland China is scarce, with a limited number of studies and non-standardized research methodologies. Conclusion: Future research should investigate IPV in pregnancy from various perspectives, identify factors unique to IPV during pregnancy, and focus on high-risk groups. Considering the conditions in China, there is a pressing need to increase public awareness of IPV and to investigate interventions aimed at addressing this issue.

Opportunistic Insights into Occupational Health Hazards Associated with Waterpipe Tobacco Smoking Premises in the United Kingdom

  • Al-Bakri, Ali;Jawad, Mohammed;Salameh, Pascale;al'Absi, Mustafa;Kassim, Saba
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.16 no.2
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    • pp.621-626
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    • 2015
  • Background: Smokefree laws aim to protect employees and the public from the dangers of secondhand smoke. Waterpipe premises have significantly increased in number in the last decade, with anecdotal reports of poor compliance with the smokefree law. The literature is bereft of information pertaining to waterpipe premise employees. This study aimed to opportunistically gather knowledge about the occupational health hazards associated with working in waterpipe premises in London, England. Materials and Methods: Employees from seven convenience-sampled, smokefree-compliant waterpipe premises in London were observed for occupational activities. Opportunistic carbon monoxide (CO) measurements were made among those with whom a rapport had developed. Observations were thematically coded and analysed. Results: Occupational hazards mainly included environmental smoke exposure. Waterpipe-serving employees were required to draw several puffs soon after igniting the coals, thereby providing quality assurance of the product. Median CO levels were 27.5ppm (range 21-55ppm) among these employees. Self-reported employee health was poor, with some suggestion that working patterns and smoke exposure was a contributory factor. Conclusions: The smokefree law in England does not appear to protect waterpipe premise employees from high levels of CO. Continued concerns surrounding chronic smoke exposure may contribute to poor self-reported physical and mental wellbeing.

Non Face-to-Face Treatment and Not-informed Medication to Persons with Mental Disorders (정신질환자에 대한 비대면진료 및 비고지투약 -치료적 대화의 복원을 위한 모색적 고찰-)

  • Jung, Sangmin
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.25 no.1
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    • pp.149-192
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    • 2024
  • People with mental illness are generally either unaware of their illness or unwilling to voluntarily seek treatment, which makes treatment difficult and the pain mainly passed on to their families. Accordingly, non-face-to-face treatment, in which the patient is diagnosed by interviews with the family and unannounced medication, in which medication is secretly administered through the family, can be performed, and this has been considered a necessary evil. Even considering realistic aspects such as the special nature of mental health care and families' suffer, not-informed treatment without consent violates not only medical laws, but also human rights of mentally ill patients. Above all, if the patient finds out about this late, the trust between the patient, family, and doctor is completely broken, and a treatment is absolutely refused. Japan's Chiba decision, which presents exceptional conditions for allowance might be a solution. However, it would not be a right solution, considering that it could lead to long-term unannounced medication and completely cut off treatment through therapeutic dialogue. Ultimately, it need to approach this problem and seek alternatives through restoration of therapeutic dialogue.

A Study on the Responsibility Judgment and Mental Disorder of Criminal Psychology (책임능력판단에 관한 범죄심리학적 이론과 정신장애 항변 연구)

  • Rim, Sang-Gon
    • Korean Security Journal
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    • no.10
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    • pp.293-322
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    • 2005
  • The culpability of a person, as determined by due process of law, for any of his actions that are defined as criminal. Determination of such responsibility is a legal function, not a psychiatric one, although a psychiatrist may be called upon to present evidence to the court in order to aid the judge or jury in reaching a decision as to responsibility. Determination of responsibility varies with the laws of the state in which the accused is being tried, but in general all states base their laws on three famous judicial decisions concerning criminal responsibility. 1. the M'Naghten(McNaughton) rule(a. to establish such a defense the accused, at the time the act was committed, must be shown to have been laboring under such defect of reason as not to know the nature and quality of the act he was doing, b. if he did know it, he did or know that what he was doing was wrong). 2. the irresistible impulse test. 3. the Durham decision. Under the Durham test, however, the psychiatrist may give any relevant testmony concerning the mental illness at issue. The psychological and behavioral appearance of a person, in clinical psychiatry this term is commonly used to refer to the results of the mental examination of a patient. The written report of the mental status usually contains specific references to the following areas: I. Attitude and General Behavior (1)General health and appearance. (2)General habits of dress. (3)Personal habits. (4)General mood. (5)Use of leisure time. (6)Degree of sociability. (7)Speech. II. Attitude and Behavior during interview (1)Co-operativeness. (2)Poise. (3)Facial expression. (4)Motor activity. (5)Mental activity. (6)Emotional reactions. (7)Trend of thought. III. Sensorium, mental grasp, and capacity (1)Orientation. (2)Memory and retention. (3)Estimate of intelligence. (4)Abstraction ability. (5)Tests of absurdity, interpretation of proverbs. (6)Judgment.

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Comparison of Stress, Social Support, and Marital Satisfaction between Married Immigrant Women in Urban and Rural Areas (도시와 농촌 거주 결혼이주여성의 스트레스, 사회적 지지 및 결혼만족도 비교)

  • Nam, In-Suk;Ahn, Suk-Hee
    • Women's Health Nursing
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    • v.17 no.2
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    • pp.99-108
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    • 2011
  • Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of stress, social support, and marital satisfaction between married immigrant women living in urban areas and women living in rural areas to identify ways to improve their mental health. Methods: Two hundred married immigrant women were recruited from multicultural familysupport centers located in Daejeon City and Chungcheong Province. From July, 2009 to January, 2010, data were collected using self- administered questionnaire. Study instruments were scales for acculturative stress, housewives life stress, support from spouse, and marital satisfaction. Results: Urban married immigrant women had lower levels of acculturative stress and higher levels of support from spouse and more positive marital satisfaction compared to rural women. Both groups reported similar levels of stress in life as a housewife. Factors influencing marital satisfaction in both group were lower levels of acculturative and housewives life stress, higher levels of support from spouse, and living with parents-in-law. Conclusion: Rural married immigrant women may have more problems in adjusting to Korean culture and marriage compared to urban women. Therefore, to improve the physical and psychological wellbeing and marital adjustment of married immigrant women, development of nursing strategies according to area of residence is needed.

Fundamental Idea and Actuality of the Medical Dispute Mediation Act (의료분쟁조정법의 기본이념과 현실)

  • Kim, Min-Joong
    • The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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    • v.14 no.1
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    • pp.43-83
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    • 2013
  • Medical treatment has great potential for conflict. Even the best-trained doctors can commit medical malpractice that result in continuing physical or mental disabilities or even death. Medical conflicts have been increasing over years. The medical conflicts between patient and medical professionals that result from medical professionals' mistakes are often fueled by a violation on the pretext of the injuries form medical malpractice and can lead to litigation. The litigation usually cost a lot of money and time. The extension of the litigation period as well as expensive cost and lack of medical knowledge placing a great burden on patients. Alternative Dispute Resolution(ADR) is more efficient than litigation. In 1988, the medical dispute mediation system has been introduces as the Act on Remedy for Damage from Medical Accident and Medical Dispute Mediation by Korean Medical Association came into effect after 23 years of enactment efforts. Medical Dispute Mediation Act(hereinafter referred to as the "MDMA") has finally entered into force from 8 April 2012. The purpose of the MDMA is to promptly and fairly redress injuries caused by medical malpractice and create a stable environment for medical services of public health or medical professionals by providing for matters regarding the mediation and arbitration of medical disputes(MDMA ${\S}1$). In an effort to secure the fair, speedy and inexpensive resolution of every malpractice case, the Korea Medical Dispute Mediation and Arbitration Agency(hereinafter referred to as the "K-MEDI") was established. Following the MDMA, the K-MEDI shall endeavor to ensure the medical dispute mediation or arbitration proceedings are conducted in a prompt, fair, and efficient manner, and patients and medical professionals shall attend proceedings in good faith with mutual trust and understanding when they participate in medical dispute mediation or arbitration proceedings.

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A Study on the Relationship between Married Women's Life Stress and Life Satisfaction : Focusing on the Mediating Effect of Self-elasticity and Coping stances (기혼여성의 생활스트레스와 생활만족도의 관련성에 관한 연구: 자아탄력성과 대처방식의 매개효과를 중심으로)

  • Choi, Jea-hoon;Kim, Eun-hye
    • Industry Promotion Research
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    • v.5 no.4
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    • pp.63-72
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    • 2020
  • This study aims to suggest the direction for improving the mental health of married women by analyzing the relationship between married women's life stress, life satisfaction, self-elasticity, and coping stances. For this study, 200 married women in their 30s~60s living in Seoul, Incheon, and Gyeonggi-do were surveyed on January 2~15, 2020, and the results were analyzed using multiple regression and regression analysis. As a result of the study, it was found that the main causes of life stress felt by married women were economic problems, relationships with their children, and conflict between mother in law and daughter in law. By analyzing the relationship with life satisfaction, it turned out that life stress had a relationship with life satisfaction, which affected the decline in their life satisfaction. In addition, it was verified that the self-elasticity and coping stances had a partial mediating effect in the relationship between the life stress and life satisfaction of married women. Accordingly, improving self-elasticity and coping stances will likely reduce the life stress of married women and boost their life satisfaction.

Awareness and direction of paramedics work and image in hospitals - Focusing on paramedics and nurses in the emergency room - (의료기관의 1급 응급구조사 이미지와 업무에 대한 인식과 방향 - 응급실 내 1급 응급구조사와 간호사를 중심으로 -)

  • Jung, Sang-Woo;Kang, Kyung-Hee
    • The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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    • v.20 no.2
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    • pp.81-97
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the awareness and direction of paramedics work and image in hospitals. Methods: From April 16 to May 5, 2015, data were collected through structured questionnaires from 45 paramedics and 81 nurses working in emergency medical institutions. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 18.0. Results: The work of paramedics is evaluated to be highly worthy at the in-hospital level rather than at the injury first-aid treatment level. It appears that paramedics are often forced to do what their hospitals tell them to do concerning matters related to conflicts with them and nurses. Paramedics stated that they experienced greater mental stress than those engaging in other professions, a finding similar to those of other studies. There was no statistically significant difference in opinions between the two groups about a desirable direction for the development of first-aid services at hospitals. More than two thirds of the respondents said that paramedics should be given the right to enter acting check for patients. Conclusion: Paramedics work is shown to differ in the opinions of paramedics themselves and nurses. Paramedics need for reform is associated with expanding the work of the law.