• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.1135-1141
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• 2017

Stress and fatigue are general physical aspects of our daily lives. It has been shown that physical therapists have different levels of job stress and fatigue according to the type A/B behavior patterns. This study collected data from 212 physical therapists between October 28 and November 23, 2016 using an anonymous, self-administered questionnaire. The study results showed the proportion of physical therapists with the Type A behavior patterns(TABP) was 18% greater than that of physical therapists with the Type B behavior patterns(TBBP). In this study, physical therapists with TABP were compared with physical therapists with TBBP. The results indicated that physical therapists with TABP were more inclined to experience higher levels of overall job stress and fatigue from the following stress factors: physical environment, job requirement, and job autonomy. Therefore, the stronger the tendency toward TABP, the stronger the feeling of job stress and fatigue from physical environment, job requirement, and job autonomy. Those with a tendency toward TBBP showed positive correlations between job requirement and the total job stress score; thus, the stronger the tendency toward TBBP, the stronger the feeling of overall job stress and fatigue from job requirement. This study suggests that it is necessary to manage the job stress and fatigue of physical therapists with both TABP and TBBP and to manage the job stress and fatigue of physical therapists with the type A behavioral pattern.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.142-167
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• 2004

The aim of this descriptive study was to investigate the general knowledge and attitude about HIV/AIDS among physical therapists and physical therapy students. Many physical therapists are afraid of AIDS patients bacause they have a little information of AIDS and fear of HIV infection from AIDS patients at work site. The study surveyed by means of a self-administered questionnaire consisted of 271 physical therapists and 378 physical therapy students. This study was carried out from April, 2003 to October, 2003 for collecting data. The findings of this study can be summarized as follows. 1) The physical therapist and physical therapy students were conscious of need for physical therapeutic intervention for complication of HIV/AIDS. 2) The physical therapist and physical therapy students were conscious of need for educational program about HIV/AIDS. 3) The knowledge of transmission mode in sexual intercourse of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. 4) The knowledge of prevention of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. 5) The knowledge of regarding symptom of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. 6) The knowledge of general transmission mode of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists and physical therapy students to patients with HIV/AIDS. 7) The knowledge of transmission risk factors in work site of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists and physical therapy students to patients with HIV/AIDS. 8) The knowledge of needs for prevention in work site of HIV/AIDS influence the attitude of physical therapists to patients with HIV/AIDS. In conclusion, physical therapists and physical therapy students with more knowledge of HIV/AIDS could positively treat HIV/AIDS patients.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.149-169
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• 2018

Purpose : This study was to develop a strategy for modeling future workforce projections to serve as a basis for analyzing annual supply of and demand for physical therapists across the South Korea into 2030. Methods : In-and-out movement model was used to project the supply of physical therapists. The demand was projected according to the demand-based method which consists of four-stages such as estimation of the utilization rate of the base year, forecasting of health care utilization of the target years, forecasting of the requirements of clinical physical therapists and non-clinical physical therapists based on the projected physical therapists. Results : Based on the current productivity standards, there will be oversupply of 39,007 to 40,875 physical therapists under the demand scenario of average rate in 2030, undersupply of 44,663 to 49,885 under the demand scenario of logistic model, oversupply of 16,378 to 19,100 under the demand scenario of logarithm, and oversupply of 18,185 to 20,839 under the demand scenario of auto-regressive moving average (ARIMA) model in 2030. Conclusion : The result of this projection suggests that the direction and degree of supply of and demand for physical therapists varied depending on physical therapists productivity and utilization growth scenarios. However, the need for introduction of a professional physical therapist system and the need to provide long-term care rehabilitation services are actively being discussed in entering the aging society. If community rehabilitation programs for rehabilitation of disabled people and the elderly are activated, the demand of physical therapists will increase, especially for elderly people. Therefore, healthcare policy should focus on establishing rehabilitation service infrastructure suitable for an aging society, providing high-quality physical therapy services, and effective utilization of physical therapists.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.153-162
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to examine the working condition of physical therapists and the degree of job satisfaction. This study also was to identify the causes of job stress: to examine job stress and job satisfaction; and to find factors that affect job satisfaction for physical therapists in Korea. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted from February 17 to March 15 in 2003. Survey data was obtained from 255 therapists registered in Korean Physical-Therapists Association. Results were as follows: 1. The degree of job satisfaction was moderate. 2. The degree of stress with their work was a little high. 3. Duty itself is one of the main factors of job stress of physical therapists. Working atmosphere and the relationships with job colleagues turned to be closely related to the degree of satisfaction. 4. The longer their total term of service was and the older they are, the greater the satisfaction with work was. In conclusion, the physical therapists can be encouraged to do their work more energetically and voluntarily. At the same time, the feeling of mission can also grow by shortening of working hours, reducing the quantity of work, and offering more salary. It is also to recommend an effective performance of duty and the development of their medical service to be introduced.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.193-202
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• 2020

Purpose : The objective of this study was to provide information about the need and perception of continuing education(CE) according to gender in physical therapists. This study also aimed to provide basic data for the improvement of quality of the CE program with physical therapists. Methods : The study analyzed basic data from Korea Physical Therapy Association regarding the 350 physical therapists in Gwangju metropolitan city (Male; 102, female; 248). The questionnaire consisted of 3 categories: general characteristics, need of CE, and perception. For need of CE and perception, it assessed using a 5-point Likert scale. Data were analyzed using frequency analysis, and simple regression analysis using dummy variable. Results : The need of CE showed a weak positive correlation in the only the pediatric physical therapy according to gender in physical therapists (R²=.012) (p<.05). Both male and female physical therapists had the highest need in the musculoskeletal system, followed by nervous system. The perception of CE were not significantly correlated according to gender in physical therapists (p>.05). Both male and female physical therapists were high on the cyber-CE (Q4) and on the need for CE (Q1, Q2, Q3). Whereas, a lower score was found in category that CE helped in the performance of the work (Q6, Q7, Q8). Conclusion : In this study, there was little or no significant correlation between need and perception of CE according to gender in physical therapists. Both male and female physical therapists recognize the need for CE, whereas they are less satisfied the efforts of CE in the performance of the work. Therefore, improvement of CE through various programs should be made to enhance the perception of CE.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.377-382
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this qualitative study was to understand the application of clinical reasoning throughout clinical and therapeutic knowledge of clinical pediatric physical therapists under physician prescriptions. Methods: Purposive sampling techniques were used in selection of nine clinical pediatric physical therapists in South Korea. Open and semi structured interviews were conducted, and were thoroughly examined and reviewed, followed by analysis of the clinical reasoning portion. Results: Pediatric physical therapists have been influenced by information gathering, physical function and evaluation of their patients, hypothesis-orientation, and re-evaluation and self-monitoring. Novice physical therapists were more dependent on physician prescriptions and parent's hope than the result of their own evaluation and critical pathway. Middle experienced pediatric physical therapists were more dependent on rapport with children and their parents. Highly experienced pediatric physical therapists were more reliant on hypothesis-orientation and self-monitoring. As reports on clinical experience of pediatric physical therapists have accumulated, clinical reasoning of pediatric physical therapists has been influenced by their experience, such as education, clinical pathology conference, their own clinical experience and rapport with patients and their parents than physicians' prescriptions. Conclusion: The findings of the current study are generally consistent with existing research on clinical reasoning. The results of the current study may be used by educators for enhancement of clinical reasoning abilities and knowledge of students or novices as well as development of a guide for use by suitable novices or students, and could provide important information for use in physical therapy practice and research.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.40-48
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• 2019

Purpose: This study assessed the current working conditions and job satisfaction on aquatic therapy performed by physical therapists in South Korea. Methods: A total of 139 (managers: 53, staff: 86) physical therapists participated in this survey (90 questionnaires) and the data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 Windows. Results: The retention conditions of aquatic therapy facilitation was high in the rehabilitation centers (or disabled living facilities) and rehabilitation hospitals. On the other hand, there were regional variations. The physical therapists in this field were likely to have limitations or restrictions of professional aquatic therapy education. The subjects showed a tendency for a career interruption during their fifth working year. The overall job satisfaction on aquatic therapy of physical therapists was high (managers: 94.3%, staff: 95.3%, p=0.276), but the work intensity was higher than the other parts of physical therapy and the relative reward was comparatively low (managers: 60.3%, staff: 66.3%, p=0.865). Conclusion: Based on this study, the current working conditions regarding aquatic therapy by physical therapists were assessed. These results will help enhance aquatic therapy and/or in aquatic therapy facilitation.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.87-91
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• 2023

Most advanced countries that are members of the World Physiotherapy have established a 4-year education system or specialized graduate school system for physical therapists based on national standards. They have also expanded their laws and systems to provide physical therapists with the autonomy and independence to offer services in their clinics. However, compared with developed countries in North America and Europe, there are issues with the autonomy and independence of physical therapists in Korea related to national regulations. Social status and recognition of the profession are also lagging. Korea is expected to become a super-aged society by 2025. To reduce the financial burden of healthcare and welfare on the government, it is necessary to extend the time spent by older adults on independent activities and minimize their time spent using medical services. To achieve this goal and maximize the active life of older adults, a plan to efficiently use licensed physical therapists in the country should be prepared. Korea should increase the license utilization rate of physical therapists to reduce waste at the national level and increase the professional hope of the younger generations of physical therapists. To create a healthcare policy focusing on the use of physical therapy personnel, similar to that in advanced countries, it is necessary to unify educational systems and produce excellent physical therapists. Providing professional autonomy can help physical therapists develop a sense of job satisfaction. Outstanding talent will choose physical therapy as a profession if they can see hope for their future careers, and if physical therapy services in Korea are similar to those delivered in advanced countries, physical therapy in Korea can develop into a healthcare service that people desire.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.39-47
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• 2017

Purpose : This study was conducted to analyze the job stress factors affecting the job satisfaction and job involvement of physical therapists and to provide basic information for the prevention of job stress among physical therapists. Method : One hundred and eighty-four physical therapists working in hospitals participated in the study by completing the Korean Occupational Stress Scale and surveys about job satisfaction and job involvement. The results were collected and analyzed. Result : The job stress factors the significantly influenced job satisfaction are the following, in order of importance: the organizational climate (p<.05), inter-personal conflict (p<.01), insufficient job control (p<.001), lack of reward (p<.001), and the occupational system (p<.001). The following factors significantly influenced job involvement, again in order of importance: job demand (p<.001), the organizational climate (p<.05), lack of reward (p<.05), the occupational system (p<.01), and insufficient job control (p<.001). Conclusion : The purpose of this study was to analyze the job stress factors affecting the job satisfaction and job involvement of physical therapists and to provide basic information to prevent job stress among physical therapists. The results indicate the need for more studies that analyze the job stress factors of physical therapists and additional studies that specifically analyze the tasks of physical therapists. Studies on how to reduce job stress among physical therapists must also be conducted in the future.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.202-208
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate awareness of physical therapists about cardiopulmonary physical therapy and patterns of its use, and to offer materials about how to apply cardiopulmonary physical therapy. Methods: For this study, structured questionnaires were distributed to 158 physical therapists in general hospitals, hospitals, Chinese medicine hospitals and clinics in Cheonnam area who were randomly selected as research subjects. After the questionnaires were handed out to them for 180 days from July to December 2013, they were collected. Results: The results showed that only 14 respondents(25%) knew about the therapeutic intervention of cardiopulmonary physical therapy, while respectively, 57.1% and 17.9% of them responded they didn't know about it well, and they didn't know about it, at all. As a result, physical therapists' awareness about cardiopulmonary physical therapy was at an extremely low level, overall. Moreover, 60.7%, 7.1%, 8.9% and 23.3% of the subjects answered that they obtained knowledge about cardiopulmonary physical therapy from school curriculum, from association seminars, from related books and from other sources, respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, these results demonstrate that the application or use of cardiopulmonary physical therapy as a physical therapy intervention is quite inadequate, although the necessity for cardiopulmonary physical therapy of physical therapists is being highlighted. Therefore, constant interests and efforts of physical therapists and clinicians would be required for effective use of cardiopulmonary physical therapy, clinical verification and active researches on it.