• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.166-174
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• 2013

Purpose: This study aims to identify factors that influence middle-aged men's attitude towards death. Methods: The study enrolled 204 middle-aged (range=40~59 years) male residents of Daegu in Korea. Using a structured questionnaire, data were collected in October 4~30, 2010. For data analysis, we used descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheff$\grave{e}$'s test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression with SPSS WIN 14.0. Results: Participants' attitude towards death significantly differed according to educational level, religion, volunteer activities, and perceived health status. Moreover, their attitude towards death was negatively correlated with life stress and depression and positively correlated with self-esteem, life satisfaction, and coping behavior. The factors influencing the attitude towards death were life satisfaction, daily stress, religion, and depression, which explained approximately 25.7% of the total variance. Conclusion: Middle-aged men perform a crucial role in our society, and their attitude toward death affects how they cope with a situational crisis such as a terminal cancer or withdrawal of life sustaining treatment. Therefore, it is necessary to develop and implement a support program for middle-aged men, which offers them with various strategies to better manage their daily stress and improve their life satisfaction and coping skills.

• The Korean Society of Law and Medicine
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.299-346
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• 2016

There were also various decisions made in medical area in 2015. In the case that an inmate in a sanatorium was injured due to the reason which can be attributable to the sanatorium and the social welfare foundation that operates the sanatorium request treatment of the patient, the court set the standard of fixation of a party in medical contract. In the case that the family of the patient who was declared brain dead required withdrawal of meaningless life sustaining treatment but the hospital rejected and continued the treatment, the court made a decision regarding chargeable fee for such treatment. When it comes to the eye brightening operation which received measure of suspension from the Ministry of Health and Welfare for the first time in February, 2011, because of uncertainty of its safety, the court did not accept the illegality of such operation itself, however, ordered compensation of the whole damage based on the violation of liability for explanation, which is the omission of explanation about the fact that the cost-effectiveness is not sure as it is still in clinical test stage. There were numerous cases that courts actively acknowledged malpractices; in the cases of paresis syndrome after back surgery, quite a few malpractices during the surgery were acknowledged by the court and in the case of nosocomial infection, hospital's negligence to cause such nosocomial infection was acknowledged by the court. There was a decision which acknowledged malpractice by distinguishing the duty of installation of emergency equipment according to the Emergency Medical Service Act and duty of emergency measure in emergency situations, and a decision which acknowledged negligence of a hospital if the hospital did not take appropriate measures, although it was a very rare disease. In connection with the scope of compensation for damage, there were decisions which comply with substantive truth such as; a court applied different labor ability loss rate as the labor ability loss rate decreased after result of reappraisal of physical ability in appeal compared to the one in the first trial, and a court acknowledged lower labor ability loss rate than the result of appraisal of physical ability considering the condition of a patient, etc. In the event of any damage caused by malpractice, in regard to whether there is a limitation on liability in fee charge after such medical malpractice, the court rejected the hospital's claim for setoff saying that if the hospital only continued treatments to cure the patient or prevent aggravation of disease, the hospital cannot charge Medical bills to the patient. In regard to the provision of the Medical Law that prohibit medical advertisement which was not reviewed preliminarily and punish the violation of such, a decision of unconstitutionality was made as it is a precensorship by an administrative agency as the deliberative bodies such as Korean Medical Association, etc. cannot be denied to be considered as administrative bodies. When it comes to the issue whether PRP treatment, which is commonly performed clinically, should be considered as legally determined uninsured treatment, the court made it clear that legally determined uninsured treatment should not be decided by theoretical possibility or actual implementation but should be acknowledged its medical safety and effectiveness and included in medical care or legally determined uninsured treatment. Moreover, court acknowledged the illegality of investigation method or process in the administrative litigation regarding evaluation of suitability of sanatorium, however, denied the compensation liability or restitution of unjust enrichment of the Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and the National Health Insurance Corporation as the evaluation agents did not cause such violation intentionally or negligently. We hope there will be more decisions which are closer to substantive truth through clear legal principles in respect of variously arisen issues in the future.