• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제14권2호
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• pp.79-88
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to understand the client relationship experience of the physical therapists working at elderly care facilities and to lay the foundation for finding the identity of physical therapists. Methods: In-depth interviews were conducted on eight incumbent physical therapists who had experienced working in elderly care facilities for at least one year. Data collection was conducted between June and September 2017, and the interview took an hour to an hour and a half to complete. After an in-depth interview, it was arranged as a file and analyzed according to the four steps of the phenomenological research method of the Giorgi. Results: Data were collected and analyzed; 19 categories, 6 themes and 5 domains were derived. Six themes were presented according to the 5 domains; the subject of relationships included 'diversity elderly'; context of relationships included 'the world of elderly nursing homes I did not know'; influence of relationships included 'the physical therapist is heartbroken because of the tormenting elderly'; condition of relationships included 'a reality that is tied to work'; aspects of relationships included 'how to reestablishing relationships with the elderly' and 'recognized and identified as a physical therapist'. Conclusion: This study shows that physical therapists working in elderly care facilities generally tend to fulfill their responsibilities and interact with clients; we found that identity of physical therapists was primarily defined by relationship experiences with patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제35권5호
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• pp.139-144
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• 2023

Purpose: This study developed a Korean sentiment questionnaire by adapting an existing English survey using focus group interview (FGI)-based cognitive interview (CI) techniques to investigate the utilization of outcome measures (OMs) among Korean physical therapists. Methods: The existing OMs survey questionnaire was adapted by dividing eight physical therapists into two groups: mid-experienced (n=4) and high-experienced (n=4). Each group participated in a 120-minute FGI-based CI session. All interviews were recorded, and the researcher transcribed the data immediately after each interview. The data were then organized and categorized into themes using Excel 2021 and verified with the participants. Results: FGI-based CI sessions were conducted with Korean physical therapists to revise the English version of the questionnaire, tailoring it to the local context. Four main themes emerged from the interviews: inappropriate items or translations, questionnaire length and organization, questionnaire improvements, and additional items. The questionnaire was revised based on the feedback obtained during these interviews. Conclusion: The questionnaire was modified according to the themes derived from the interviews. The questionnaire was developed to represent the clinical environment of Korean physical therapy accurately by removing elements of the questionnaire unsuitable for the Korean sentiment and incorporating the perspectives of Korean physical therapists.

• 대한통합의학회지
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• 제12권2호
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• pp.65-76
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• 2024

Purpose : This study aimed to develop and validate a reliable tool, the Korean physical therapists' work environment scale (K-PTWES), for assessing the work environment of Korean physical therapists. The study also sought to examine the validity and reliability of the instrument. Methods : This methodological study involved the development and testing of the measurement tool. The conceptual framework was established through a literature review and in-depth interviews with clinical physical therapists. A total of 40 meaningful statements emerged from this process, leading to the generation of 29 primary items. Following a content validity test, 29 items were selected for the preliminary tool. Data were collected from 220 physical therapists across various job roles and unit types, such as outpatient and inpatient physical therapy rooms in domestic hospitals, with more than one year of experience. The final analysis included data from all 220 physical therapists. Results : Varimax rotated principal component analysis was employed for validities, revealing four factors: organizational support, working system, sustainable development, and relationship with coworkers, explaining a total variance of 54.97 %. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the final tool was .939, indicating high reliability. Conclusion : In this study, we developed a measurement tool reflecting the characteristics of the Korean physical therapists' work environment scale (K-PTWES). Our findings highlight the tool demonstrated both validity and reliability. Utilizing this tool is expected to contribute to understanding the work environment of Korean physical therapists and fostering a healthy work environment. Based on our findings, we recommend, firstly, conducting research on the work environment and related factors of physical therapists working in diverse settings using the K-PTWES. Secondly, future studies should focus on validating the tool's criterion-related validity, as it was not addressed in this research.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.65-74
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• 1990

This study was carried out to measure the degree of work-related stress and to identify factors influencing the excessive stress among clinical physical therapists. One thousand and five physical therapists surveyed nationwide met the established criteria for inclusion in the study. The respondents were an average age of 27.1 years, $34.5\%$ were married, and $61.2\%$ were female. Most of the respondent $(48.1\%)$ worked in local clinics. The average stress score was 50.9. Analysis-of-variance test demonstrated significant difference in the degree of stress among treatment facilities. There was a significant relationship between treatment facilities (general hospital, local hospital, clinic), number of patients treated per day, job satisfaction, low back pain and work-related stress, respectively. Work-related stress was unrelated to matters of sex, marital status, education. Hospital administrators, physical therapydirectors, directors, and individual therapists should work within their organizations to reduce work stress and its detrimental effects. Further research is necessary to investigate preventive measures to decrease the work-related stress.

• 한국전문물리치료학회지
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• 제17권1호
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• pp.53-61
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• 2010

This study investigated the relationships between Work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), contributing factors, and the occupational stress of physical therapists. Self-reported questionnaires were given to 180 physical therapists in Gangwon Province. Variables examined included the prevalence of pain sites related to WMSDs; pain intensity; pain pattern; and job stress, which is thought to involve the physical environment; job demand; insufficient job control; interpersonal conflict; job insecurity; organizational system; reward system; and occupational culture. Among physical therapists, work-related musculoskeletal pain commonly affected the low back (30.1%), shoulder (29.3%), and wrist (12.2%). The sites of work-related musculoskeletal pain treated medically were the low back (22.8%), shoulder (19.8%), neck (12.7%), and wrist (12.1%). "Repeating the same work constantly" was suggested to be the major cause of the pain. The younger therapists were significantly more likely to feel high job stress due to the physical environment (p<.05), job demand (p<.05), and organizational system (p<.01). Women were more likely to feel greater job stress related to job demand, insufficient job control, the organization system, and job rewards. Men were more likely to feel greater job stress related to job insecurity. Weak positive relationships were observed between work-related musculoskeletal pain and job stress, which is thought to involve the physical environment; job demand; insufficient job control; interpersonal conflict; job insecurity; organizational system; reward system; and occupational culture. Physical therapists appear to be at higher risk of WMSDs because 80.1% of the physical therapists studied experienced work-related musculoskeletal pain. To reduce the risk, we need intervention strategies such as preventive education, ergonomically designed medical equipment, a psychosocial approach to work conditions, improved mechanical conditions related to therapeutic patterns, and an institutional infrastructure with sufficient personnel and scheduling.

• 한국산업보건학회지
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.61-72
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• 2012

Background: The purpose of this study was to analyze the associations between physical therapists' work-related musculoskeletal pain, quality of life (QoL), and presenteeism. Methods: Self-reported questionnaires were given to 402 physical therapists in Korea. Variables examined included the prevalence of pain sites related to work, pain intensity, pain pattern, pain frequency, pain duration, pain rating score (PRS), general characteristics, QoL, and presenteeism. Results: Of the 314 physical therapists who responded, 251 (79.9%) reported work -related musculoskeletal pain in at least one body part. The most affected regions included the wrist and hand (21.0%), shoulder (19.6%), and lower back (19.1%). On average patients, QoL and presenteeism differed significantly between physical therapists who reported pain and those who did not (P < 0.05). QoL showed a negative correlation with the work-related musculoskeletal pain (P < 0.01) and presenteeism (P < 0.01), while the presenteeism and work-related musculoskeletal pain showed positive one(P < 0.01). Factors influencing a physical therapist's QoL included presenteeism, Working venues (Convalescent hospital), Work status (Contra ct worker) and professional experience, while the presenteeism included QoL, work status (Intern), PRS, working venues (Convalescent hospital), Area of specialty (Pediatrics), age, sex and working hour. Conclusions: Results show that physical therapists appear to be at a higher risk for work-related musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, administrators need to use the intervention strategies to manage the presenteeism and QoL of physical therapists.

• 대한물리의학회지
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• 제5권3호
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• pp.421-434
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• 2010

Purpose : The purpose of this study is to understand the attitudes to internal service quality between coworkers, service quality to patients, job satisfaction, organizational identification and job identification of physical therapists in medical organizations. Methods : Data were collected from physical therapists working in medical organizations. 195 questionnaires were analyzed. Participants' total mean, group mean by age, sex, career and type of medical organization and the variables' correlations were examined. Results : The attitudes of physical therapists to five variables were very positive. Especially job identification was strong. The significant differences between groups were found in some variables. All variables except age and career were positively related to each other. The correlation between age and career was very high. Age and career were related to some of variables. Conclusion : To improve organizational performances it should be a top priority to understand the attitudes of physical therapists in organizations.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.77-84
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate the level of recognition and utilization of Korean physical therapists for assistive technology. Methods: The subjects of this study were 218 physical therapists who worked in various institutions in Seoul, Kyonggi-do, and Choongchung area. A questionnaire was developed using a related article. Simple descriptive statistics were used for respondent characteristics, and for the level of recognition and utilization. Results: The physical therapists reported having a less-than-average level of recognition and utilization for assistive technology. They were cognizant that the use of assistive technology devices were used mainly for specific outcome such as mobility, seating and position, and ADL. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that physical therapists need more opportunities for training in assistive technology. For effective clinical applications of assistive technology, there should be continuous support, such as college education, continued education, and related seminars.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• 제22권1호
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• pp.83-90
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• 2010

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the degree of job stress and self-esteem of physical therapists as well as the correlation between the two variables. Method: This study targeted 218 physical therapists of Busan City, and was carried out from July 16 to August 6, 2009 as survey research. A structured questionnaire referring to advance researches was used as a research tool. Job stress symptoms were measured one a 5 point scale, the higher the point total, the higher the job stress. Self-esteem was measured on a 4 point scale, the higher the point total, the lower the self-esteem. After data collection we determined descriptive statistics, and did reliability analysis, factor analysis, Spearman's correlation analysis, and regression analysis. Results: Reliability analysis indicated that reliability for the job stress questionnaire was 0.93 and for the self-esteem was 0.83. The average job stress score of physical therapists was 1.19 points which was not high. The average self-esteem score was 1.76 points, whichwas high. It appeared that the higher the self-esteem, the lower the job stress. Also, self-esteem had an influence on psychological symptoms among job stress factors. Conclusion: Job stress and self-esteem of physical therapists are well-correlated and influence each other. Accordingly, self-esteem can be used as a variable for adjusting job stress of physical therapists.

• 대한정형도수물리치료학회지
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• 제29권2호
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• pp.11-22
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• 2023

Background: This study examined the relationship between the empowerment, and occupational professionalism of physical therapists, and the factors affecting their job satisfaction. Methods: The subjects of the study were 240 physical therapists who had worked at medical institutions for more than a year. Data were collected from April 1 to 30, 2022. Results: The mean scores for job satisfaction, empowerment, and occupational professionalism were 3.43±.52, 3.60±.60, and 3.74±.40 points, respectively. Empowerment was positively correlated with occupational professionalism (r=.75, p<.001) and job satisfaction (r=.59, p<.001). Also, occupational professionalism was positively correlated with job satisfaction (r=.68, p<.001). The factors influencing job satisfaction were empowerment (β=.17, p<.05) and occupational professionalism (β=.56, p<.001), showing an explanatory power of 48%. Conclusions: The results of this study revealed that the higher the empowerment and occupational professionalism, the higher the job satisfaction of physical therapists. To improve their job satisfaction, it is, therefore, necessary to develop and apply an effective program to improve their empowerment and occupational professionalism level. These research results can be useful as basic data for improving the job environment of these therapists and the policies relating to their work.