• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.46-58
• /
• 1998

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the status of psychiatric consultation at a newly opened university hospital, to explore problems related to psychiatric consultation and to contribute for future consultation to be more systematic and more efficient. Methods: The subjects of this study were 284 patients hospitalized at Inha University Hospital between September 1, 1996 and August 31, 1997, who were referred for psychiatric consultation during hospitalization. This study was evaluated demographical characteristics of referred patients, resons for referral, recommendations by psychiatric consultant, clinical diagnoses, psychiatric diagnoses, relationship between referral time and hospitalization following the day of consultation and consultation referral types based upon psychiatrists' reports and patients' medical charts. Results : Most common patients referred to consultation were females aged 20s who visited at the department of internal medicine and related to the risk of suicidal attempts. Mood disorder was the most frequent psychiatric diagnosis, and the most common recommendations were to use psychopharmacological treatment along with outpatient visits. The 30% of subjects were referred to consultation within a day after hospitalization. In the case of consultation referral timing within two days and after three days, there was significant difference between early consultation and shorter hospitalization following the day of consultation. Most frequent type of consultation(29.6%) was categorized as IIIa type(physical complication type as a "Mending" request type). Conclusion : In review of consultation referral timing and consultation referral type of the subjects, who were referred for psychiatric consultation for one year at a newly opened University Hospital, referrals were found to be made within two days after their admission to hospital(50.7%), which was observed to be early request. We found that there was significant association between early consultation and shorter hospitalization following the day of consultation. The physical complication type(29.6%) which belongs to "Mending" request type was found to be the most frequent consultation referral type. This result indicates that more systematic psychiatric consultation is needed for the future.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.7 no.1
• /
• pp.55-62
• /
• 1977

Varieties of literatures were reviewed in regard to the fundamental concept of day hospital, historical trends, the recipient of its care, facilities and personnel, therapeutic programmes and the follow-up care plans. Through the research the advantages of day hospital were highlighted in order to provide the reference for those who consider planning such health care institution. Since the introduction of the concept of day hospital and its implementation in 1930, many psychiatric patients world over are treated and cared. Patients with specific health problems ; alcoholism, acute or serious psychiatric disease, tendencies of humidor suicidal attempts, and with serious physical problems were excluded from the general recipient. Day hospital were annexed to the psychiatric hospitals in most in instances ; facilities, personnel, except nursing personnel, were shared. All therapeutic care were planned in daley, weekly programmes, and were focussed on socialization. The follow-up care were provided for those participating post- therapy club activities which were planned and introduced ahead. Many advantages of day-hospital care in contrast to the traditional hospitalization care were found: 1. The abrupt discontinuity of his family and other social role is prevented. 2. Therapeutic progress is faster. 3. Lessened economic burden to the family. 4. Behavioral regression is lessened and the lessened fear of hospitalization. 5. Less injury to the patients, self- respect, through lessened anxiety of hospitalization. 6. Incidents of secondary crisis believed to be existing in long term cases are decreased. 7. Therapeutic care implemented in freer atmosphere, better Patient-personnel relationships are created. 8. Varieties of group activities are Induced which enable faster recovery. 9. Patients could engage himself with social activities including getting job on part-time basis. 10. Rehabilitation of patient could be implemented.

• The Korean Nurse
• /
• v.16 no.1 s.87
• /
• pp.50-53
• /
• 1977

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.265-275
• /
• 2020

This narrative inquiry examines the experience of mentally ill patients who used the psychiatric day hospital care service. The researchers in this inquiry conducted in-depth interviews three times with four patients who used day hospital care and data was also collected from additional conversations when patients were on outpatient visit after being discharged from the day hospital. The inquiry uses the narrative research method to describe the experience of using day hospital services as follows; a springboard to reconnect to the world, a place to be empowered and set the mind at ease, and a guide to direction in life. This inquiry is meaningful in that it deals with the in-depth stories of the mentally ill patients who experienced the day hospital care. Based on the results of the inquiry, the following policy suggestions are made; institutional support for reducing social isolation of psychiatric patients, activation of various support systems and further program development.

• Industry Promotion Research
• /
• v.8 no.4
• /
• pp.209-220
• /
• 2023

This study used general qualitative research and G-PhotoVoice methods to study the experience of psychiatric patients participating in vocational rehabilitation programs in daytime hospitals. The researcher in this study conducted interviews more than two times with five patients who took part in the program and data was also collected from additional conversations while patients were admitted or on outpatient visit after being discharged from the day hospital. In addition, semi-structured group interview with photos was also conducted. As a result of the study, the participants' experience of participating in the day hospital vocational rehabilitation program was found to be "experiencing difficulties in vocational activities," "joying working together," "getting a sense of stability," and "feeling that they have grown."Based on these findings, this study discussed the implications of activating vocational rehabilitation in daytime hospitals and promoting the growth of psychiatric patients.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.16 no.4
• /
• pp.246-255
• /
• 2009

Objectives : The aims of this study are to estimate the prevalence of polydipsia and water intoxication and to identify risk factors of polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric inpatient. Methods : 1,108 Psychiatric inpatients at 2 mental hospitals in Yongin city were studied from September, 2008 to January, 2009. We diagnosed 'polydipsia' using staff reports(fluid intake>3L/day) or by specific gravity of urine(SPGU<1.008) and diagnosed 'at risk for water intoxication' using normalized diurnal weight gain (NDWG>4%). We attempted to identify clinical characteristics of patients by reviewing their medical records. Results : Two hundred forty seven patients(22.3%) were polydipsic. Sixty eight patients(6.1%) were at risk for water intoxication. The factors associated with polydipsia were lithium, smoking, younger age and increased smoking amounts. The factors associated with risk for water intoxication were valproic acid and polydipsia. Conclusion : Polydipsia and water intoxication in psychiatric inpatients are not rare conditions. Therefore, clinicians' attention should be paid to these conditions.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.120-125
• /
• 1998

Objectives : The purposes of present study were to identify weight increment in female psychiatric patients during hospitalization and to evaluate the relationship between weight gain and daily calorie intake, daily activity and other variables of disease itself. Methods : 20 patients were studied. Body weight were measured once a week, and daily activity(total amounts of walking/day) and total amount of daily calorie intake were measured twice a week. We examined psychiatric and medical illness history, eating disorders' history and family history of eating disorders and obesity. Results: Mean body weight and Body Mass Index(BMI) at admission are 49.40kg and 19.59kg/$m^2$. Mean weight increment during hospital stays of mean 65 days is 4.90kg. Mean amounts of daily calorie intake and daily activity(daily walks) were increased during hospital stays, but not statistically significant. The degree of weight increment is higher in longer hospital stay group, but not statistically significant. Mean body weight at admission of mood disorder group is higher than that of schizophrenia group, but not statistically significant. Conclusion : This results suggested that weight increment in female psychiatric hospitalized patients is present. However, it is not resulted by amount of calorie intake and daily activity level.

• Journal of The Korea Institute of Healthcare Architecture
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.57-64
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The relationship between the staff area and the patient's private area is the key factor in designing the structure and the environmental characteristics of ward spaces in a psychiatric hospital. Recent research has found that for the purpose of treatment and securing privacy, psychiatric patients need to be in an open space of relief rather than closed confined environment and under the watch of nursing staffs. Methods: A survey at three kinds of wards in a private psychiatric hospital in Japan was conducted in October 2002. These wards include an acute ward, a psychiatric convalescence ward, and a stress care ward. All three kinds of wards have the same structure. At each ward, spatial preferences of the 145 psychiatric inpatients were surveyed and data concerning the patient's diagnostic category, symptoms, and activities of daily living were recorded. Results: The patients in the stress care ward prefer to stay in private spaces than public spaces. On the other hand, in the acute ward the patients seem to have a preference between managed public spaces where are monitored by nursing staffs and their private rooms where the nurse station is close. In addition, the patients in the psychiatric convalescence ward spend most of their time in the public space, such as the hallways or the day room. Implications: Base on this research, the spaces at the acute ward that could be monitored by the nursing station serves effectively as a safety space for patients was concluded. However, in the stress care ward, the patients may perceive the monitoring by the nursing staff as interruption or nuisance to their relaxation. In order to design an ideal healing environment for psychiatric patients in psychiatric ward, it is important to consider how environmental characteristics of space affect the environmental sense of patients in each ward.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.26 no.1
• /
• pp.14-21
• /
• 2019

Objectives Thyroid hormone deficiency during the neurodevelopmental period can impair brain development and induce psychiatric symptoms. This study examined the association between thyroid dysfunction and the severity of symptoms in schizophrenia patients, and the treatment response of patients with schizophrenia. Methods Three hundred thirty-eight schizophrenia patients, with no prior history of thyroid disease or taking medication associated with it, were studied. We assessed the blood thyroid hormone level, the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) scores on the day of admission and discharge, admission period, dose of administered antipsychotics, and the number of antipsychotic combinations. The collected data were subsequently analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test and Pearson's chi-square test. Results The percentage of schizophrenia patients who presented with abnormal thyroid hormone level was 24.6%. High total triiodothyronine (TT3) (p = 0.003), low TT3 (p = 0.001), and high free thyroxine (fT4) (p < 0.001) groups showed a higher BPRS score on admission than did the normal thyroid hormone group, while thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels were not significantly correlated with the severity of symptoms. Furthermore, thyroid hormone was not associated with the treatment response assessed by the rate of BPRS score reduction, admission days, use of clozapine, and dose of antipsychotics. Conclusions The TT3 and fT4 hormone levels were significantly associated with the severity of symptoms in schizophrenia patients. These relations suggested that thyroid dysfunction may be associated with the severity of schizophrenia. And hence, further analysis of the results of the thyroid function test, which is commonly used in cases of psychiatric admission, is required.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.30-39
• /
• 2010

Objectives：Assessment of sleep disturbance is an essential part of the diagnostic criteria used for several psychiatric disorders. Change in sleep patterns over time may indicate response to treatment. In clinical practice, sleep is usually evaluated subjectively by patient self-report. This study was aimed to compare subjective sleep assessment with objective sleep measurement by actigraphy in psychiatric inpatients. Methods：A total of 32 psychiatric inpatients were studied. Patients were asked to wear a wrist actigraphy for three consecutive days and nights and to fill out a sleep log each morning. The severity of depression and anxiety was evaluated according to Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory on the first day of the study. The subjective level of satisfaction with quality of sleep was also evaluated according to visual analog scale. Nurses assessed sleep at one hour interval between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM for three consecutive nights. Results：There was statistically significant difference of sleep latency between patient's sleep log and acti-graphic measurement. Nursing reports were more consistent with actigraphic measurement than sleep log. Interestingly, subjectively poor sleepers show no significant difference in sleep parameters compared with those of good sleepers. Subjectively poor sleepers report longer sleep latency than that of actigraphic assessment. The discrepancy between subjective and objective assessment of sleep latency was significantly correlated with scores of Beck Depression Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Conclusion：These results show that there are discrepancies between subjective and objective assessment of sleep. The discrepancy of sleep assessment could be influenced by severe depression and anxiety. Especially objective sleep measurement is needed to assess sleep in psychiatric inpatients with severe depression or anxiety and the subjectively poor sleepers for more reliable measurements.