• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.86-94
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• 2020

Purpose: This study aimed to identify current quality control (QC) practices of primary care clinics participating in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) in Korea. Methods: A nationwide survey using a structured questionnaire was conducted among the primary care clinics participating in the NCSP, which were selected by a proportionate stratified sampling. The questionnaire consisted of general information about the responding clinics and the scope of QC activities undertaken. A total of 360 clinics responded and the set of data was then analyzed with Chi-square test and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Among 360 respondents, 332 (92%) reported that they were involved in the QC activities. Most frequently performed QC activities were 'maintenance of facility and instruments' (89%) and 'staff training' (85%). The analysis revealed, with statistical significance (p<.05), that there was an association between certain characteristics of the clinics and the scope of QC activities. These findings also indicated that the diversity of QC practices varies according to the size of the clinics. The clinics screening more types of cancer, those with more screenees, and those with more employees were more likely to implement various QC activities including 'maintenance of facility and instruments', 'external quality control', and 'management of screening data'. Conclusion: To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the current status of QC activities conducted among primary care clinics participating in the NCSP. The results of this survey can be used as a basis for further development of policies on quality management of small- and medium-sized primary care clinics in Korea. However, further studies encompassing various aspects of QC activities and management of primary care clinics are needed to assess the current situation in a concise manner.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.160-168
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• 2021

This study attempts to identify how incivility and clinical learning environment affects clinical practice stress among nursing students. This study enrolled 204 nursing students in the third- and fourth-grades, having practical clinical experience. Data were collected from April 1 to April 30, 2019, by the self-reported method. Data analysis was achieved by applying descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis, using the SPSS 22.0 program. Our results showed that the average values for incivility experienced by nursing students was 2.58, clinical learning environment was 2.79, and clinical practice stress was 3.33. Incivility experienced and clinical practice stress appeared to be a static correlation, whereas the clinical learning environment and clinical practice stress, and incivility experienced and clinical learning environment, were identified as amulet correlations. Incivility experienced and clinical learning environment exerted significant influences on clinical practice stress, where the explanatory power was confirmed at 22.5%. Based on the results of this study, we propose the necessity to develop and apply various programs to effectively manage the clinical practice stress of nursing students.

• Journal of Korean Society of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.331-341
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to evaluate perceptions of safety and risk among Korean industrial hygienists and the change between before and after the Sewol Ferry Disaster in 2014. Two surveys with questionnaires composed of 51 questions were completed by attendees of the Korea Industrial Hygiene Association(KIHA) conference. Methods: One was conducted at the 2013 KIHA Fall Conference(N=181) and the other was from the 2014 KIHA Summer Conference(N=123). Between these two surveys was the Sewol Ferry Disaster on April 14, 2014, which was believed to seriously affect safety and risk perceptions in Korea. Results: It was revealed that industrial hygienists' awareness of safety rules strengthened after the Sewol Ferry Disaster(p<0.05). It was apparent that people over the age of 30 were more sensitive to social safety. There was no significant difference in the evaluation and attitude regarding governmental safety policy between the years of 2013 and 2014. The credibility of public organizations responsible for the disaster management system decreased. The self-evaluation of respondents' safety level also decreased. This trend shows mainly in the younger generation. It was evaluated that the overall social safety level decreased and the anxiety level increased. The score on social safety on a ±5 Likert scale was 0.68 in the 2013 survey and -0.33 in the 2014 survey(p<0.05). It was reported that the most serious threat factors for accident or disaster were 'building collapse > illegalities and corruption > side effects of radiation therapy >accidents in normal activity > occupational disease,' in order. They picked 'safety ignorance > hurry-up habits and culture > focusing on short-term benefit > easy-going attitude > insufficient safety education' for the causes of low social safety levels in 2013. In 2014, they were 'safety ignorance > easy-going attitude > focusing on short-term benefit > insufficient safety education > hurry-up habits and culture'. Conclusions: This study has some limitations because it was originally not designed to survey attitudes prior to the Sewol Ferry disaster in 2013. In addition, the survey targets are industrial hygienists who are familiar with occupational disease and injury.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.1
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• pp.86-96
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• 2023

Purpose: This study analyzes the association between depression, emotional eating, and dietary practices, and investigates the mediating effects of emotional eating between depression and dietary practice. Methods: A total of 345 women aged 40-59 years participated in the Seoul and Gyeonggido region. Assessments were achieved by self-reported questionnaires for emotional eating (Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire), Nutrition Quotients (NQ), and depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9). Results: Analyzing the NQ scores by considering the depression group, revealed that compared to the normal group, balance, diversity, and eating behavior scores were lower in the depression group, whereas the moderation score was lower in the borderline depression group and depression group. The emotional eating scores were determined to be higher in the depression group than in the normal group. Partial correlation analysis between depression, emotional eating, and NQ revealed that depression is positively correlated with emotional eating and negatively correlated with all other factors of the nutrition quotient, balance, diversity, moderation, and eating behavior. Among the nutrition quotient factors considered, emotional eating was determined to be negatively correlated with both diversity and moderation. The bootstrapping method was applied to analyze the mediating effect of emotional eating for determining the association between depression and NQ. Results indicate that among the nutrition quotient factors evaluated using emotional eating as a medium, depression exerted a negative effect on moderation. Conclusion: Results of this study confirm that emotional eating, as a medium, affects the intake of unhealthy foods especially when depression is associated with dietary practices.

• Journal of Service Research and Studies
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.19-29
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• 2022

This study is a descriptive survey using a self-reported survey method to understand the effect of language and non-verbal communication of medical service providers on customer satisfaction through Lapport and to determine the degree of impact on Lapport by adjusting perceived service authenticity. The data collection period was from April 5 to April 30, 2021. Using the convenience sampling method, data were collected from users of medical institutions located in Busan and Gyeongsangnam-do, and a total of 306 valid questionnaires were used as statistical analysis data. The collected data were analyzed using the IBM SPSS statistics version 25.0 and AMOS 20.0 programs through a coding process. In the results of this study, it was found that the language and non-verbal communication of medical service providers influenced customer satisfaction through Lapport, and the perceived service authenticity in the relationship between each variable acts as a moderating effect. Considering that the language and non-verbal factors of the medical service provider are important in the interaction between the medical service provider and the hospital user, the medical service provider should take full account of the language and non-verbal factors and help the medical institution communicate with the hospital user.

• Anxiety and mood
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.77-82
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• 2023

Objective : During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, hospital avoidance had a significant impact on public health. We investigated the factors associated with hospital avoidance and explored practical strategies hospitals could employ to address this phenomenon. Methods : We conducted a patient experience survey in a general hospital in Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic. Between July 6, 2020, and July 20, 2020, a total of 842 patients who had previously visited hospitals before the COVID-19 outbreak participated. Self-reported hospital avoidance, factors associated with hospital avoidance, and satisfaction with the hospital's infection control policies were the main outcomes. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to identify associated factors. Results : Data indicated that 29.9% (n=252) of the respondents avoided visiting the hospital after the COVID-19 outbreak. Satisfaction with the hospital infection control policy (odds ratio [OR]=2.297, p<0.001), female sex (OR=1.619, p<0.05), and higher educational level (OR=1.884, p<0.001) were associated with hospital avoidance. The "entrance body temperature check" was the most satisfactory policy among the hospital's infection control policies. Conclusion : To manage hospital avoidance during an infectious disease crisis, targeted policies for at-risk groups and hospital policies to reassure and satisfy patients are needed.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.2
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• pp.75-94
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• 1996

This survey study was aimed at identifying the degree of educational need of the KNOU(Korea National Open University) nursing students defined as admission purposes, satisfaction of distance learning education, learning methods, and courses after graduation. Among randomly assigned 1000 students, 320 KNOU nursing students who allowed to participate in the study completed the questionnaires. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and t-test, Results of this study were as follows : 1. The admission purposes of the KNOU nursing students were 'in order to get a bachelor's degree(83.8%)', 'to acquire knowledge for task(61.3%)', or 'to be admitted for the graduate school (53.1%)' etc. Comparing the admission purposes by age, tow items- 'to explore new possibilities for myself' and 'excellent curriculum' showed statistically significant differences. These two items were also found to show significant differences by marital status. 2. For the media maintenance, the results showed that students use their own cassett radios(96.3%), VTR(49.4%), TV only for the study (44.1%), personal computer (3.31%), or joining Hitel (6.3%). 3. Listening rates of the radio lecture were 'over 80%(9.1%)', '50-80%(9.1%)', '20-50%(18.1%)', 'below 20%(30%)' and 'never(33.1%)', And record lecture showed listening rates as follows : 'over80%(17.2%)', '50-80%(15.9%)', '20-50%(24.4%)', 'below 20%(27,2%)' and 'never(14.4%)'. 4. The difficulties with KNOU life were 'listening radio lectures(38.8%)', studying by following teaching schedules (37.8%)', 'isolated self-study(10.3%)', and 'appearance in the attending classes(8.1%)'. 5. As for satisfaction with teaching methods, the data showed that 81.2% of the respondents were satisfied (or very satisfied) with 'attending classes' and 75%, with 'paper lectures'. On the other hand some of respondents were very dissatisfied with 'recorded lecture(12.8%)' and 'radio lecture(10.9%)' 6. The results also showed that the students want to have 'video conferencing lecture(77.2%)', 'cable TV(64.1%)' and 'CD ROM program' to improve learning effects. 7. Concerning learning attitudes, 48.8% of the students reported 'study mainly for examnination', and only 4.1% answered 'study every day with plan'. The learning attitude showed significant differences by marital status and age. The students also evaluated themelves as 'study very hard(5.9%)', 'study hard in general(41.6%)', 'study a little(40.3%)' and 'study little(11.9%)'. 8. The students responded the most effective learning material was the 'textbook (92.2%)'. 9. For the purposes of using the local center, the results showed 'for the attending classes(76.3%)', 'for the use of references(14.7%)', and 'for the study group(66.7%)'. 10. The results revealed that 20.3% of the respondents had ever experienced unregistration or temporary withdrawal, and 53.4% among them did not register more than one time. The most common reason for the unregistration was 'due to family affairs or their job (70.8%)'. 11. 88.1% of the respondents answered 'they will graduate without fail'. 12. Regarding the benefits from the KNOU graduation, respondents indicated 'graduate school admission(38.1%)', 'self-confidence in social life(17.5%)', and understanding social problems (10.9%)'. 13. 64.4% of the students showed that they have intention to enter the graduate school. The item 'changing work place' showed statistically significant differences by marital status and age.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.6080-6088
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• 2015

The purpose of study is to find difference in the quality of life and related factors according to the employment status. Using data from the fifth National Health and Nutrition Survey, economically active population of 20-69 years old 3,429 participants who said to questions of 'economic activity status' were finally used as analysis subjects in Korea. According to economic activity status, individuals were divided by the six different employment status and their quality of life was inspected using the EQ-5D dimensions and index score as well as analyzing the factors affecting the quality of life. As a result, unemployed compared to full-time workers, had significantly higher needs of four dimensions and Unpaid family workers had in the dimensions of Mobility, Self-care and Usual activities and temporary job had in the dimensions of Self-care and Usual activities. After figuring out life quality factors according to employment status, it was found that compared to full-time workers greater age(${\beta}=-0.089$, p<0.001), more stress(${\beta}=-0.143$, p<0.0001), hyperlipidemia(${\beta}=-0.064$, p<0.0001), stroke, arthritis(${\beta}=-0.160$, p<0.0001), respiratory diseases(${\beta}=-0.055$, p<0.001) and chronic health conditions were more influential to low quality of life for temporary job(${\beta}=-0.034$, p<0.05), day workers(${\beta}=-0.078$, p<0.0001) and unemplyed(${\beta}=-0.052$, p<0.01). The study is reported that it is to find difference in the quality of life and related factors according to the employment status and it is considered to provide basis for health evaluation of utilization in the same field of study.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.174-181
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• 2013

Objectives: Socioeconomic status plays an important role in health care and disease prevention. This study aimed to examine the association between socioeconomic status, measured by education levels and household income, and gastric cancer screening. Methods: A total of 21,220 community-dwelling adults aged 40 to 69 years within a defined geographic area participated in a community health survey in 2009 and 2010. The survey was conducted using a structured questionnaire by trained investigators who visited the subjects' households directly. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between self-reported participation in gastric cancer screening and socioeconomic variables (education and household income). Results: The gastric cancer screening rate was 52.1% for subjects in their forties, 63.7% for those in their fifties, and 67.3% for those in their sixties. In multivariate analysis, higher education and income levels were associated with higher rates of gastric cancer screening (high school vs. elementary school: odds ratio [OR] 1.41, 95 % confidence interval [CI] 1.26-1.58; highest income quartile vs. lowest income quartile: OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.44-1.84). The gradient between income and screening rate was more pronounced in the population aged 40 to 49 years than in the other age groups. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that lower socioeconomic status is associated with decreased participation in gastric cancer screening. Our findings suggest that the screening program should be focused on low-income and less-educated populations, especially among younger adults, to reduce health disparities.

• Sleep Medicine and Psychophysiology
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2019

Objectives: Insomnia is not only the most common sleep-related disorder, but also is one of the most important. Knowledge of the comorbidities of insomnia is essential for proper treatment including pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods to prevent disease chronification. This study aimed to determine sleep clinic patients' knowledge of insomnia. Methods: This study recruited 44 patients (24 males and 20 females; mean age $54.11{\pm}16.30years$) from the sleep clinic at National Center for Mental Health. All subjects were asked to complete a self-report questionnaire about their reasons for visiting a sleep clinic and about their knowledge of treatment and comorbidities of insomnia. Results: The reasons for visiting the sleep clinic were insomnia symptoms of daytime sleepiness, irregular sleeping time, nightmares, snoring, and sleep apnea, in that order. Of the responders, 72.7% had a comorbidity of insomnia, and 22.7% showed high-risk alcohol use. In addition, 70.5% of responders chose pharmacological treatment of insomnia as the first option and reported collection of information about treatment of insomnia mainly from the internet and medical staff. More than half (52.3%) of the respondents reported that they had never heard about non-pharmacological treatments of insomnia such as cognitive behavioral treatment (CBT-I) or light therapy. The response rate about comorbidities of varied, with 75% of responders reporting knowledge of the relation between insomnia and depression, but only 38.6% stating awareness of the relation between insomnia and alcohol use disorder. Of the total responders, 68.2% were worried about hypnotics for insomnia treatment, and 70% were concerned about drug dependence. Conclusion: This study showed that patients at a sleep clinic had limited knowledge about insomnia. It is necessary to develop standardized insomnia treatment guidelines and educational handbooks for those suffering from insomnia. In addition, evaluation of alcohol use disorders is essential in the initial assessment of sleep disorders.