• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.55-60
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• 2003

Purpose: The appropriate duration for effective hospice care is estimated about 3 months. However, the length of hospice care of many hospice patients is mostly less than 1 months. This is too short for effective hospice care. Therefore we investigated the reason by clinical considuations include the length of hospie care, duration from diagnosed as terminatlly ill to refer to hospice, the recogntion of hospice of doctors, patients and familis. Methods: This study was designed to retrospective cohot study. The data was obtaind from 50 hospice patients those who died in hospital from July to September in 2003. Results: Out of 50 patient, 30 were male(60%). The median age wes 60years in males and was 61 years in femailes. The most prevalant cancer was colorectal cancer(9 patients, 18%), followed by hepatoma(8 patients, 16%), and stomach cancer(7 patients, 14%). The most prevalent symptom was pain(37 patients 74%) and most prevalant reason of admission was also pain(30 patients, 60%). The most prevalent physician specialty was general internal medicine(21 doctors, 42%), followed by oncology(19 doctors, 38%). The median days form diagnosed terminally ill to refere to hospice was 47 days. The median lengths of hospice care was 23 days and the median admission days was 17. Conclusion: We found that lack of recognition of hospice of doctors, patients and families made the lengths of hospice care too short. If the patient and family go to hospice just after diagnosed as terminally ill, they could get more effective hospice care. To resolve these problems, it is needed education for them constantly.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.773-785
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• 1998

This study aims at providing more qualitative care in family nursing practice. It is designed to analyze the degree of quality of life(QL) among families of the patients. The subjects consisted of 79 families of hospital hospice patients and 74 families of home-based hospice patients. The ages of the subjects were 17-74 years, at five university hospitals in Seoul, Inchon, and Kyung Gi Province, and one clinic in Chunchon. The data were collected from September, 1996 to August, 1997. The instrument used for the study was the Quality of Life Scale (QLS), which was composed of six factors, developed by Ro, You Ja. The analysis was done using t-test, ANOVA Scheff test, and Stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows : 1. There were no statistically significant differences between the families of hospital hospice patients and the families of home-based hospice patients ; however, the mean score of the families of hospital hospice patients was higher than that of the families of home-based hospice patients. The scores on QLS ranged from 75 to 224 with a mean score of 140.58 in the families of hospital hospice patients. In the families of home-based hospice patients, the scores ranged from 79 to 214, showing a mean score of 135.25. Among six factors of QLS, family relationships showed the highest score in both groups, but economic life showed the lowest score in the families of hospital hospice patients, and emotional state showed the lowest score in those of home-based hospital patients. Self-esteem and relationship with the neighborhood were significantly higher in the families of hospital hospice patients than the families of home-based hospice patients (t=2.69, P= 0.008 ; 1=2.04, p=0.043). 2. In the families of hospital hospice patients, QL had significant relationship with family member's age(F=2.52, p =0.029), marital status (F=3.57, P=0.018), economic state(F=6.07, P=0.004), and education level(F=3.77, P=0.014). In the families of home-based hospice patients, QL had significant relationship with marital status (F=2.53, P=0.049), education level(F=4.35, P=0.007), occupation(F=3.93, P=0.002), and patient's age(F=2.73, P=0.020) 3. Economic status accounted for 17% of QL, and diagnosis accounted for an additional 7% of QL in the families of hospital hospice patients by means of stepwise multiple regression analysis. In the families of home-based hospice patients, relationships with patient accounted for 12% of QL. The findings showed that self-esteem and relationship with the neighborhood were significantly higher in the families of hospital hospice patients than the families of homed-based hospice patients and family relationships showed the highest value in QL. These findings should be considered in nursing practice.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.364-372
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• 2003

Purpose: This study was conducted to find out the effects of hospice care by evaluating the spiritual well-being and quality of life in the hospice and nonhospice patients. Method: The research design was composed of descriptive study. The data were collected using the questionnaire with interview from 30 hospice patients at three hospice institutes and 30 nonhospice patients at two general hospitals. The tools used for this study were 14-item questionnaire regarding general characteristics, a revised Spiritual Well-being Survey(Paloutzion and Ellision, 1982) and 22-item of revised Mcgill Quality of Life questionnaire. Result: The spiritual well-being of the hospice patients was higher than that of nonhospice patients(F=5.52, p=0.023). The global quality of life of the hospice patients was higher than that of nonhospice patients(F=8.84, p=0.004). There was a significant positive correlation between spiritual well-being and quality of life of the hospice patients and non hospice patients. Conclusion: The hospice care effects on spiritual well-being and quality of life of the terminal cancer patients.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the perception on hospice, attitudes toward death and needs of hospice care between the patients with cancer and family. Methods: This study used descriptive research design. The participants were 118 patients with cancer hospitalized and 118 family caregivers of patients with cancer. The data collected by questionnaires from October to December, 2013. Results: There was significant difference in perception on hospice (recognition of hospice term and definition of hospice) and needs of hospice care between patients and family. Among the categories of the needs, 'medical needs' was the highest in patients and 'emotional care' was the highest in family. But there was no significant difference in attitudes toward death. There correlation between attitudes toward death and needs of hospice care was significant only in patients. Conclusion: Hospice care must be provided considering the death attitudes and needs of patients with cancer and family based on the understanding of perception on hospice, attitudes toward death of the patients with cancer and family.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.69-75
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• 2010

Hospice is defined by the National Hospice and Palliative Care Organization (NHPCO, USA) and WHO, as a program of care that provides comprehensive medical, nursing and support services to dying patients and their family. Despite its broad definition, however, hospice care in Korea has been focused mostly on terminal cancer patients. Thus hospice eligibility for patients with advanced cancer is relatively easier to predict than those with other fatal chronic illnesses such as heart, lung, renal or liver diseases, and dementia. This makes it more difficult for patients and families to prepare for death and gain full benefits of hospice care. This article introduces the medical guidelines for selected non-cancer patients who are expected to live for only six months, this making it possible for patients, who are nearing the end of life, to avoid unwarranted suffering.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.17-27
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• 2002

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of spiritual nursing intervention on anxiety and depression of the hospice patients. This study was devised one group pretest-posttest design. The data was collected during the period from July 10 to September 25 in 2000 at the general hospital in cheonju city. The subjects were thirty-seven patients who referred the hospice service. Method: The tools were used Spielberger's State Anxiety Scale and Zung's Depression Inventory. The spiritual nursing intervention was carried out through Hymn, Scripture, Prayer, the therapeutic use of self over a period of three weeks. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, paired t-test. Results: 1.After the spiritual nursing intervention, state anxiety of hospice patients was reduced(t=6.237, p=0.000). 2.After the spiritual nursing intervention, depression of hospice patients was reduced(t=18.58, p=0.000). Conclusion: The hospice patients who were offered spiritual nursing intervention had lower anxiety & depression than those who were not offered spiritual nursing intervention. According to these results, spiritual nursing intervention can be regarded as an effective nursing intervention that relieved anxiety and depression of the hospice patients.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.28-48
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• 2002

The advances of medical technologies have not only prolonged human life span, but also extended suffering period for the patients with incurable medical diseases. Hospice movement was developed to help these patients keep dignity and lives peaceful at the end of their life. Since many patients prefer to spend the last moment of life at home with their family, hospice home care has become very popular worldwide. The purpose of this study for a promotion and development of hospice home care in Korea, and features basic research on medical profession's knowledge and attitudes to hospice home care. This study which was used for the research questionnaires developed by the researcher that were answered by 100 physicians and 127 nurses in a general hospital. Data were collected from April 22, 2002 to May 10, 2002. The SPSS was used to make a comparative analysis of the frequency, percentile, ANOVA, and x2-test. The results of the study were as follows; 1.The medical profession showed high level of knowledge of the definition and philosophy of hospice. However, the physician group of the examinees showed insufficient knowledge of the fact that hospice care includes bereavement care, while the nurse group's response to the same question showed a significant difference(x2=10.752, p=.001). 2.For whom the hospice home care is provided, 95.6% of the respondents showed very high level of knowledge as answering that the incurable terminal illness patients and their families are the beneficiaries of hospice care. The respondents counted nurses, volunteers, pastors, physicians and social workers, consecutively, as hospice care providers. More nurse were positive toward pastors than physicians in regarding as a hospice care provider by a significant difference(x2=11.634, p=.001). 3.For when to referral hospice home care to the patients, only 34.2% answered that patients with less than 6 months of survival time are advised to receive hospice care, reflecting very low level of knowledge. 23.0% of the physicians and 48.0% of the nurses answered that hospice care should be provided when death is imminent, making a significant difference between the two groups(x2=6.413, p=.000). 4.To promote hospice activities, 87.2% pointed out that it is crucial to make general people, including those engaging in the medical field, more aware of hospice. 79.7% answered that a national hospice management should be developed, marking a significant difference between the physician group and nurse group(x2=10.485, p=.001). 5.Advantages of hospice home care are 87.2% responded that patients can have better rest at home receiving hospice home care. Economical merit was brought forward as one of the advantages also, where there was a significant difference between the physicians group and nurse group(x2=7.009, p=.008). 6.The medical professions' attitude to hospice home care are 92.8% of the physicians answered that they would advise incurable terminally ill patients to be discharged from hospital, with 44.3% of them advising the patients to receive hospice home care after leaving the hospital. From the nurses' point of view, 20.9% of the terminally ill patients are being referred to hospice home care after discharge, which makes a significant difference from the physicians' response(x2=19.121, p=.001). 7. 30.6% of physicians have referred terminally ill patients to hospice home care, 75.9% of whom were satisfied with their decision. Those physicians who have never referred their patients to hospice home care either did not know how to do it(66.7%) or were afraid of losing trust by giving the patients an impression of giving up(27.3%). 94.9% of the physicians responded that they would refer their last stage patients to a doctor who is involving palliative care. 8.Only 36.2% of nurses have suggested to physicians that refer the terminally ill patients discharged from the hospital to hospice home care. Once suggested, 95.8% of the physicians have accepted the suggestion. Nurses were reluctant to suggest hospice home care to the physicians, as 48.8% of the nurses said they did not want to. From the result of this study the following conclusion can be drawn, the medical profession's awareness of general hospice care has been increased greatly compared to the results of the previously performed studies. However, this study result also shows that their knowledge of hospice home care is not good enough yet. There is a need for high recommended that medical education institute and develop regular courses on various types of hospice care. Medical field training courses for physicians and nurses will be very helpful as well. It is also important to train hospice experts such as palliative physicians and develop a national hospice management urgently in order to improve the hospice care in Korea.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.50-58
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to increase our understanding of the terminal cancer patients and their families concerns. I analyzed the counseling contents of terminal cancer patients and their relatives who referred to hospice office. Method: Data was collected from January 2004 to November 2004. During the counseling, I took notes the key points and contents. 109 patients and/or their families's counseling records were analyzed with the descriptive statistics and content analysis. Result: 73.4% of patients knew their current terminally ill status. The mobility of 86.2% of the patients was worse than ECOG 3 level. Patients have uncontrolled pain(28.4%), emotional distress(55.0%), and physical distress(49.5%). Caregivers of the patients were spouse(46.8%), sons and daughters(24.8%). Family members had problems to tell the bad news to their family cancer patient. 95.4% of the patient and family members was informed about the hospice and palliative care services, and 35.8% of them was referred to the hospice and palliative organizations. Frequently asked questions were 'what is hospice?', 'how much is the cost of hospice services?' etc. Conclusion: Care planning for terminal cancer patients must include patient. Also, professionals should consider and offer accessible, effective and empathetic counseling services to patients and families.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.1-8
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• 2004

Purpose: This research aims to assess the effect of group education of hospice and palliative care program on recognition of home hospice care for terminal cancer patients and their family members. Methods: The terminal cancer patients or their family members who have visited Sam Anyang Hospital from January to September in 2004 participated in group education of hospice and palliative care program on one time a week. Of those, 32 patients or family members who were called education group has participated in group education more than 4 times and responded to a questionnaire. Sixty three patients or family members who were called non-education group have never participated in group education of hospice and palliative care program during the same period. Data were collected and done comparative analysis about both group. Results: A knowledge difference on definition of hospice and palliative care come out 29 people(91%) in education group and 26 people(41%) in non-education group. The recognition of home hospice care in education group(32 people, 100%) was significantly higher than non-education group(15 people,24%). A intention to home hospice care in education group(23 people, 72%) was significantly higher than non-education group(10 people,16%) and practically number of home hospice care was 15 people(50%) in education group and 8(13%) in non-education group. The recognition about cancer of patients was not significant differences in both group. People that the response to the question about 'Did you let your patient know to be the terminal cancer patient?' is 'yes' was 12 people(38%) in education group and 13(21%) in non-education group. Patients in education group had insight about terminal cancer significantly higher than non-education group. Conclusion: If we educated effective hospice and palliative care program in terminal cancer patients or their family members, we think the recognition of cancer and hospice and palliative care improve, and the home hospice care be activated more and more.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.87-111
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• 2002

The hospice activities in Korea have still stood in the premature stage, although the contemporary hospice program, which professionally accommodates terminally ill patients, appeared in the history 35 years ago. Especially, the availability of the facility hospice is not only poor in number, but also lack of a guideline for the conduct of the facility. Saemmul Hospice has keenly felt the necessity of more facility hospices and has interchanged experiences and informations with people interested in hospice. However, the number of facilities has fallen short of one's expectations, and many problems have been revealed in order to maintain the operation. This paper was written in order to improve these atmospheres and to help more terminally ill cancer patients properly. This paper clarifies in detail the principle of management, the method of practice in each departments of Saemmul Hospice, expected effects and supplemental items. We try to provide concrete and practical informations and to help extensively for all peoples who are to begin or currently working. 1.Facility: It secures, maintain, and manage the hospice environment for all around care of patients effectively. 2.Education and Volunteer: It trains and manages hospice volunteers devoted to hospice. 3.Financial: It manages donation by healthy soul with an effective method. 4.Administration and Organization: It executes the administration efficiently and constitutes the organization to operate. 5.Medical and Nursing: It offers the maximum professional supports to a hospital. 6.Medicine and alternative medicine: It improves the quality of life of patients by medical and pharmaceutical approach and by other possible methods available. 7.Nutrition: It helps patients to have diets in accord with the order of the creation. 8.Belief: It offers spiritual care which allows the profound relationship with God. 9. Funeral ceremonies: Funeral ceremonies may heal grieves of families faced with their deaths. 10. Bereaved families: It supports the families after the deaths of patients. 11.Reception and consultation: It seeks to help the patients who meet the purposes for which Saemmul Hospice is established. 12.Publication: It allows publicity activities for Saemmul Hospice. Facility hospice programs are able to overcome the disadvantages that the other type of the hospice possess, like as the economic burdens of the families, and the patients' losses of comforts of home after being transferred to a hospital. Facility hospice can provide home atmosphere with professional manpower and facilities like hospital to the patients. Therefore, it can also improve patients' qualities of life and make them comfortable death. We anticipate that the hospice program in Korea would be more active to let more people be indebted to maintain the nobel human dignity and to cross beautifully in the most painful process of dying in the journey of their lives.