• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.64-80
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• 1997

Background : An important issue in health care today is in trying to center service around the hospitalized patient. There is a "Kindness Movement" developing now, where in the focus of Health Care is being changed from simply treating the basic physical needs of the patient with sophisticated technology, to keeping emotional well being healthy with more humane and attentive treatment. In our attempt to reach the goal of a completely satisfied patient, we undertook a study of the common complaints of patients, and the subsequent nature of the interventions. Method : The study was carried out in two stages, first the patients made known their complaints by filling out questionnaires, then we collected data on the attempts to alleviate the complaints. The questionnaire provided 19 different complaints, which were then analysed for such variables as content, source of complaint, persons treating the complaint, and length of time and method used to solve the complaint. Results : 1. The Chief complaints made by patients(99.1%) were of physical discomfort, such as pain, nausea, vomiting, indigestion, diarrhea and constipation. 2. The complaints were voiced primarily by either of the patient's family, or by the patients themselves(78.4). 3. The complaints were intervened by nurses alone(53.5%), physicians alone(25.5%), or by nurses and physicians together(19.25%). 4, The method by which the complaints were resolved included the utilization of prescriptions(55.7%), further explanation and education(25. 5%) and notification after treatment(13.2%). 5. Most complaints were voiced during the dayshift(42.6%, 7:00-15:00), followed by the evening shift(36.0% 15:00~22:00), and then the nightshift(21.3 %, 22:00-07:00). 6. The time required for successful resolution of the patient's problems varied from 10~88.9min, according to the nature of the complaint. Conclusion : Hopefully by knowing beforehand the nature of both complaint and intervention, we can anticipate problems and shorten reaction time, in order to provide for a more satisfied patient.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.8-16
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• 2004

Purpose: The porpose of this descriptive study was grasp the QOL (Quality of Life) of cervix cancer patient and to analysis QOL (Quality of Life) by stage of disease, type of treatment and de me graphic characteristics Methods: Data were collected from 67 patients with cervical cancer from 3 General Hospitals from March 15 to June 4 using The "QOL (Quality of Life)-Cancer Version" inventory made by Ferrell et al (1995). The data were analysed by using SPSS $PC^+$ program including t-test, ANOVA, and Scheffe test. Results: Progressing stage of disease and QOL, the significant between the progressing stage of disease and QOL was significant (F=5.06, P=.003). The degree of difference between the progresstion of the stage of the disease and each item in the test was physical well-being (F=3.97 P=.012), the items of psychological well-being (F=3.91, P=.013), the items of social well-being (F=4.96, P=.004). It show a significant difference, but the item of spiritual well-being (F=1.36, P=.262) was not significant difference. The significance between the type of treatment and QOL was insignificant. The degree of difference between each area of life was the psychological well-being (t=-2.14, P=.037), the social well-being (t=-2.15, P=.036). But the physical well-being (t=-.93, P=.356), the spiritual well-being (t=.73, P=.469) was insignificant. Conclusion: As a result, The QOL of patients with cervical cancer is differentiated by the stage of disease, the type of treatment, and the demographic data. Therefore, there is a need to apply nursing intervention to patients with cervical cancer by considering the stage of disease, the type of treatment, and the demographic data.

• Korean Medical Education Review
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.80-91
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• 2019

The tripartite mission of 'academic medicine' is education, research, and patient care. Academic medical centers (AMCs) are carrying out the mission and ultimately aiming to improve the health of people and communities. Globally, AMCs are facing a tremendous financial risk stemming from the changes in health insurance reimbursement plans and a shortage of human resources. Innovative AMCs in the United States are trying to transform their physician-centered, and siloed structure into a patient-centered, and integrated structure. They are also building integrated systems with primary healthcare groups to provide continuous patient care from primary to tertiary levels and making strategic networks based on value-based payment and the patient-centered model. These changes have been proven to improve outcomes of patient care and increase fiscal revenues, which are both crucial in supporting education and research. To address the shortage of human resources, programs are being built to develop newly appointed faculty for the future. AMCs have different approaches to bringing changes into their organizations; however, there is a common emphasis on 'a patient-centered approach,' which helps them set more explicit organizational values and make strategic decisions based on their values. Korean AMCs are facing similar challenges to AMCs in the United States in spite of many differences between the countries' healthcare systems. The innovative efforts of AMCs in the United States to address the challenges will be helpful, well-worked examples for Korean AMCs with similar challenges.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.58 no.4
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• pp.385-388
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• 2015

Low-grade myofibroblastic sarcoma (LGMS) is a rare sarcoma with myofibroblastic differentiation. LGMS has a propensity for local recurrence and is associated with a low risk of metastatic spread. A 26-year-old man presented with a 12-month history of a slow growing palpable hard mass in the right parietal scalp. Enhanced CT scan of head showed a $3{\times}4cm$ sized well-defined and heterogeneously enhancing scalp mass. The patient underwent excision of the tumor. The histological and immunohistochemical features were consistent with a LGMS. We performed re-operation for remnant tumor removal after diagnosis. After 14 months of surgery, the patient was well-being state.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.45-52
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• 2011

The visual sensory information in physical environments can induce or reduce occupants' stress. In healthcare settings, positive environmental stimulations can promote patient well-being by reducing their stress: poor health environments work against a patient's health. Changing the color in a patient room is an inexpensive process and thus finding better colors for healthcare settings is a cost effective method of improving healing environments. Color may have important implications for pediatric patients, but the investigation of Korean populations has been non-existent. The purpose of this study was to investigate Korean pediatric patients' color preferences for patient room design. The color preferences from 50 Korean pediatric patients were recorded and investigated for gender effects. A simulation method was used because of its reliability and feasibility, allowing for investigating the value of color in real contexts and controlling confounding variables. The overall color preferences from Korean pediatric patients showed that they preferred blue the most and white the least. Gender differences were found in red and purple. Girls preferred red and purple more than boys. The results from this study can help healthcare providers and designers better understand appropriate colors for Korean pediatric patient populations.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.790-801
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to generate a grounded theory of how families with kidney donor or recipient coped with kidney transplantations. Interview data from twelve families involved in kidney transplants was analyzed using the grounded theory method. Data analysis revealed that “protecting the family” was the main theme that represented family member experiences. In order to maintain family function and to protect the family from breaking up, family members had to adjust the family structure from the traditional style of a husband-centered family, to one that was patient health -centered. The process of this adjustment was a very long and difficult one, taking several years from the recognition of the kidney disease to the kidney transplants. Family members, especially spouses, employed nine different strategies to deal with various problems and conflicts which occurred during the process : 1) paying attention to the patient's illness and complications ; 2) accepting the patient's illness as the family's illness as well ; 3) managing the patient's illness and complications that occured ; 4) being thrifty ; 5)supporting the kidney donor ; 6) accepting and replacing the lost roles of the patient ; 7) keeping composure and encouraging the patient ; 8) sustaining the patient's independence ; 9) self-restraining sexual desires. These findings suggest that there is a developmental process where family members adjust to a kidney transplant over time. There is also a need for increased social and psychological health services for all family members over the course of kidney transplants.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.77 no.2
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• pp.60-64
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• 2014

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small noncoding RNAs that modulate target gene activity, and are aberrantly expressed in most types of cancer as well in lung cancer. A miRNA can potentially target a diverse set of mRNAs; further, it plays a critical role in lung tumorigenesis as well as affects patient outcome. Previous studies focused mainly on abnormal miRNAs expressions in lung cancer tissues. Interestingly, circulating miRNAs were identified in human plasma and serum in 2008. Since then, considerable effort has been directed to the study of circulating miRNAs as one of the biomarkers of lung cancer. miRNAs expression of tissues and blood in lung cancer patients is being analyzed by more researchers. Recently, to overcome the high false-positivity of low-dose chest computed tomography scan, miRNAs in lung cancer screening are being investigated. This article summarizes the recent researches regarding clinical applications of miRNAs in the diagnosis and management of lung cancer.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.597-615
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• 1994

This study is designed to facilitate the creation of home environment conducive to the family taking care of chronic bed-ridden patients with more effective method. The need for this study has emerged against the background of marked changes in the structure of ailments and causes of death, resulting in the number and plights of chronic bed-ridden patients as well as of a rapid increase in demand for medical care and resulting premature discharge. Keeping these in mind, this study focused on home-wards where the majority of chronic bed-ridden patients are being cared for. Despite. their overriding importance, home-words are less than efficient in caring (or chronic bed-ridden patients. These circumstances require the designing of home-wards that can offer greater comfort to patients and at the same time make things easier for caregivers, on the basis of an overall analysis of patients' life and home - ward situation. According1y this study adopted a Participant Observation Method derived cultural anthropology, Toward this end, 3 patients were chosen as subjects of this study for intensive interviewing and participant observation. In the process of this field re-search efforts were made to collect emprical data, that is, to faithfully record the words of the subjects and their caregivers for analysis and interpretation. The findings of these analyses are as follows. Firstly, the chronic bed-ridden patients are mostly being taken care by close family members. Secondly, a room for the exclusive use of the patient, floor, kitchen, bathroom and multipurpose space were found to be necessary for proper caring of the patient. These spaces were respectively used with a view to 1) accomodating the patient as well as caregivers' activities, 2) keeping general and medical supplies and other appliances for patient's care and drying the patient's washing, 3) preparing and keeping the patient's foods and beverages, 4) keeping the supplies necessary for cleaning the patient's body and treating the patient's eliminations, 5) washing the patient's clothes, underwears and bedclothes. The patient's room in turn is subdivided into six portions in terms of uses : specifically the places for accomodating 1) the patient, 2) medical supplies, 3) medicines, 4) linens St clothes, 5) bedclothes and, 6) diapers. Thirdly, the activities of the caregiver are subdivided into seven key areas : hygiene, exercise, diet, elimination, therapeutic nursing, prevention of sore, and other activities. Each area is further classified into several different activities of caring. These activities we mainly carried out in the patient's room. Fourthly, the supplies for caring the chronic bed-ridden patient is divided into two large domains : medical and general supplies. Finally, three main problems areas were found in this study on the part of caregivers, that is, sore prevention, hygiene problem related frequent urination / defecation, the caregiver's physical, psych ological and emotional burden. In consideration of the aforesaid problem areas, a model home-ward was developed in this study. The newly-developed model has been found to have the following six advantages. Firstly, the time and effort required for maintaining the patient's hygiene are reduced, thus relievins the caregiver's physical and psychological bur-den. Secondly, the patient's hygiene can be maintained in satisfactory conditions, because the patient's eliminations are more easily removed. Thirdly, skin irritations caused by the patient's eliminations were remarkably reduced and so were the patient's sores due to moisture and bacteria. Fourthly, the home-ward have a tilt-table ef-fect thanks to the inclining room floor. This improves the patient's cardiovascular function as well as constantly changes pressed skin areas and thus prevents sores. Fifthly, improved shelf arrangements help make the best use of patient's supplies. Sixthly, the trouble of continuously changing clothes, underwears, diapers & bedclothes is remarkably reduced simply by covering the patient with cotton sheets when laid in bed. This is espected to cut down expenses by reducing the comsumptions of diapers and other disposable supplies.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.218-222
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• 2023

A holistic approach to diabetes considers patient preferences, emotional health, living conditions, and other contextual factors, in addition to medication selection. Human and social factors influence treatment adherence and clinical outcomes. Social issues, cost of care, out-of-pocket expenses, pill burden (number and frequency), and injectable drugs such as insulin, can affect adherence. Clinicians can ask about these contextual factors when discussing treatment options with patients. Patients' emotional health can also affect diabetes self-care. Social stressors such as family issues may impair self-care behaviors. Diabetes can also lead to emotional stress. Diabetes distress correlates with worse glycemic control and lower overall well-being. Patient-centered communication can build the foundation of a trusting relationship with the clinician. Respect for patient preferences and fears can build trust. Relevant communication skills include asking open-ended questions, expressing empathy, active listening, and exploring the patient's perspective. Glycemic goals must be personalized based on frailty, the risk of hypoglycemia, and healthy life expectancy. Lifestyle counseling requires a nonjudgmental approach and tactfulness. The art of diabetes care rests on clinicians perceiving a patient's emotional state. Tailoring the level of advice and diabetes targets based on a patient's personal and contextual factors requires mindfulness by clinicians.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.710-715
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• 2022

Background The latissimus musculocutaneous flap (LD flap) is a useful option for breast reconstruction following mastectomy. It has the advantage of obtaining sufficient tissue padding and natural shape by using autologous tissue. However, with the emergence of the skin-sparing mastectomy technique and artificial dermis matrix, direct-to-implant (DTI) breast reconstruction has become the first choice of surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the satisfaction levels of patients who underwent DTI and LD flap with implant using patient-reported Breast-Q results. Methods A retrospective study was performed reviewing the records of 49 women who underwent immediate breast reconstruction with DTI or LD flap with implant and responded to the BREAST-Q questionnaire after the operation. The patient-reported breast-Q results were analyzed and correlated to the demographic information and intraoperative information. Results A total of 26 patients who underwent reconstruction with LD flap with implant and 23 patients with DTI were identified and responded to the questionnaire after an average of 32.3 and 10.4 months postoperation, respectively. According to the patient response to the breast-q values, satisfaction with breast was 60.0 and 57.0 points, psychosocial well-being 61.0 and 60.0 points, and sexual well-being 41.0 and 43.0 points in the two groups. Overall, there was no significant difference in the breastQ score between the two groups. Conclusion Patients who underwent DTI breast reconstruction seemed equally satisfied with the appearance and outcome of their breast reconstruction compared with LD flap with implant. Therefore, it appears that DTI is adequately replacing LD with implant.