• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.41-48
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• 2021

Purpose: To evaluate compliance by analyzing and comparing treatment duration, degree of improvement after treatment and treatment response of oral lichen planus (OLP) patients according to characteristics of them and the severity of the lesion. Methods: According to treatment process, 132 subjects with OLP who first visited the Department of Oral Medicine at the Pusan National University Dental Hospital from January 2017 to December 2020were classified into three groups: Treatment completed (CT) group, Under treatment (UT) group, and Dropped out during follow-up (DT) group. The reticulation/keratosis, erythema, and ulceration (REU) scoring system was used to assess the severity of OLP. The degree of improvement after treatment was evaluated in CT group. Results: There were 53 (40.15%) CT, 27 (20.45%) UT and 52 (39.39%) DT. In CT group, according to initial REU score there was a statistical difference in the degree of improvement, but not in the length of time to complete treatment. There was no statistical difference between the days it took for patients to feel symptom relief, and the days of entire treatment among three groups. However, there was a positive correlation between the REU score of gingiva and duration of treatment in DT group. In the CT and DT groups, there was a correlation between the length of time taken to relieve symptoms and the duration of treatment. Conclusions: The severity of the gingival lesion and the initial response to treatment have a large effect on the entire treatment period and prognosis, so it should be considered when explaining the disease prognosis and treatment period to patients, and the clinician needs to focus on initial symptom relief.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.420-430
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• 2023

Background: This study provides an update to a landmark 2004 report describing demographics, training, and trends in adherence to thoracic surgery practice standards in Canada. Methods: An updated questionnaire was administered to all members of the Canadian Association of Thoracic Surgeons via email (n=142, compared to n=68 in 2004). Our report incorporates internal data from Ontario Health and the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer. Results: Forty-eight surgeons completed the survey (male, 70.8%; mean±standard deviation age, 50.3±9.3 years). This represents a 33.8% response rate, compared to 64.7% in 2004. Most surgeons (69%) served a patient population of over 1 million per center; 32%-34% reported an on-call ratio of 1:4-1:5 days, and the average weekly hours worked was 56.4±11.9. Greater access to dedicated geographic units per center (73% in 2021 vs. 53% in 2004) has improved thoracic-associated services and house staff, notably endoscopy units (100% vs. 91%), with 73% of respondents having access to both endobronchial and endoscopic ultrasound. Access to thoracic radiology has also improved, particularly regarding positron emission tomography scanners per center (76.9% vs. 13%). Annual case volumes for lung (255 vs. 128), esophageal (41 vs. 19), and mediastinal resections (30 vs. 13), along with hiatal hernia repair (45 vs. 20), have increased substantially despite reports of operating room availability and radiology as rate-limiting steps. Conclusion: This survey characterizes compliance with current practice standards, addressing the needs of thoracic surgeons across Canada. Over 85% of respondents were aware of the 2004 compliance paper, and 35% had applied for resources and equipment in response.

• Dementia and Neurocognitive Disorders
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.117-125
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• 2022

Background and Purpose: Medication adherence is essential for effective medical treatment. However, it is challenging for cognitively impaired patients. We investigated whether an automated telephone reminder service improves medication adherence and reduces the decline of cognitive function in isolated patients with cognitive impairment. Methods: This was a single-center, randomized clinical trial. We enrolled mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients who lived alone or with a cognitively impaired spouse. We provided an automated telephone reminder service for taking medication to the intervention group for 6 months. The control group was provided with general guidelines for taking the medication every month. The participants underwent neuropsychological assessment at the beginning and end of the study. Statistical significance was tested using nonparametric Wilcoxon rank sum and Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests. Results: Thirty participants were allocated randomly to groups, and data for 29 participants were analyzed. The mean age was 79.6 (standard deviation, 6.0) years and 79.3% of the participants were female. There was no significant difference in medication adherence between the 2 groups. However, a subgroup analysis among participants with more than 70% response rates showed better medication adherence compared to the control group (intervention: 94.6%; control: 90.2%, p=0.0478). There was no significant difference in the change in cognitive function between the 2 groups. Conclusions: If a patient's compliance is good, telephone reminders might be effective in improving medication adherence. It is necessary to develop reminder tools that can improve compliance for cognitively impaired patients.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.33 no.1 s.96
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• pp.21-29
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• 2003

Recent developments in software technology have made it possible to create a virtual three-dimensional model of the dental arches from digitally scanned casts of a patient's dentition. This modelmay then be manipulated with software to produce stages of tooth movement from the initial malocclusion to the final desired occlusion. A sterolithograghic model is made for each stage of tooth movement which is the basis for construction of a series of clear and thin overlay appliances. These appliances are worn full time by the patient to move the teeth according to the programmed stages of movement. Malocclusions involving mild to moderate crowding and space closure have been proven to be successfully treated with this appliance. Experience with this appliance has demonstrated excellent patient compliance with less discomfort, improved esthetics and oral hygiene control, when compared with fixed orthodontic appliances. Orthodontic treatment with this appliance is a potentially useful alternative approach to fixed appliances for treatment of a variety of malocclusions in patients with fully erupted permanent teeth.

• Archives of Craniofacial Surgery
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.89-95
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• 2013

Background: If patients have a better understanding about their problem and treatment, compliance and satisfaction with treatment will increase. For this purpose, simple repeated explanations regarding a patients' problem and treatment are essential. Critical pathway (CP) has a very wide range in medicine with the exception of the plastic surgery field. The authors developed a CP for facial bone fractures and implemented it clinically. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the CP on the degree of recognition of the problem along with patient satisfaction with the treatment process. Methods: From May 2011 to October 2011, a total of 82 patients suffering from facial bone fractures were studied. The CP for facial bone fractures was developed by plastic surgeons, residents and nurses. Subsequently, the authors investigated the degree of recognition of the disease and patient satisfaction with the treatment through the use of a questionnaire. The authors compared the score of the questionnaires before and after implementation of the clinical pathway. Results: The degree of the recognition of the problem changed from 3.1 to 4.2 (p<0.001). Further, the degree of satisfaction with the treatment process changed from 3.6 to 4.3 (p<0.05). Overall, there was a two point increase in improvement. Conclusion: Implementation of the CP for facial bone fractures was effective in improving the degree of recognition and satisfaction. The authors expect that hereafter, the CP for facial bone fractures will be implemented actively in the plastic surgery field.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.236-243
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• 2014

Objectives: Despite the recent emphasis on a patient-centered chronic care model, few studies have investigated its use in older adults in South Korea. We explored how older Korean adults perceive and cope with their chronic illness. Methods: We conducted focus group interviews in Seoul, Korea in January 2010. Focus groups were formed by disease type (hypertension and type 2 diabetes) and gender using purposive sampling. Inclusion criteria were patients aged 60 and over who had been diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension and received care at a community health center for at least six months prior to participation. Interview data were analyzed through descriptive content analysis. Results: Among personal factors, most participants felt overwhelmed when they received their diagnosis. However, with time and control of their acute symptoms using medication, their worry diminished and participants tended to denying being identified as a patient or sick person. Among socio-familial factors, participants reported experiencing stigma with their chronic illness and feeling it was a symbol of weakness. Instead of modifying their lifestyles, which might interfere with their social relationships, they resorted to only following their medicine regime prescribed by their doctor. Participants also reported feeling that their doctor only prescribed medications and acted in an authoritative and threatening manner to induce and reinforce participants' compliance with treatment. Conclusions: For successful patient-centered management of chronic illnesses, supportive environments that include family, friends, and healthcare providers should be established.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.56-58
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• 2015

Summary: We report the first hepatic adverse effect of tosufloxacin tosylate in a muscle invasive bladder cancer patient with normal liver functions and with scheduling to undergo a surgical operation for a neobladder. Tosufloxacin tosylate 150 mg was administered to a 57-year-old man who maintained transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT) postoperative multiple medications. His labs presented significant increases in alanine amino transferase (ALT) and aspartate amino transferase (AST) levels with 2-week compliance of 150 mg tablet three times a day. After discontinuing tosufloxacin tosylate, the levels slowly decreased and completely returned to normal ranges without any intervention in a few weeks. The Naranjo Causality Algorithm indicates a probable relationship between increased ALT and tosufloxacin. The patient was to have the second surgical operation as scheduled after getting normal range of ATL level. Therefore, tosufloxacin should be avoided in patients at risk for having liver dysfunctions or diseases if the patients have a schedule for any operation. Background: Tosufloxacin tosylate has been shown to have favorable benefits as an antibiotic. Tosufloxacin tosylate may be considered to have the adverse effects such as nauseas, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, stomatitis, tendonitis, tendon rupture, headache, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, weakness, agitation including hemolysis in the event of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency as other fluoroquinolones. More severe adverse reactions of tosufloxacin tosylate over the above common adverse effects of fluoroquinolones were thrombocytopenia and nephritis. It also is not well known that tosufloxacin can cause hepatic problem. Here the study reports the first hepatic reaction from tosufloxacin and might arouse heath care providers' attention to appropriate drug choice for patients.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.106-111
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• 2022

Background: The use of telemedicine for postoperative visits is increasing, especially in rural areas. Few studies have investigated its use for arthroscopic shoulder patients. This study aims to evaluate patient satisfaction with telemedicine for postoperative clinic visits following arthroscopic shoulder procedures in a rural setting. Methods: Patients were prospectively enrolled using the following exclusion criteria: <18 years, open procedures, and non-compliance follow-up at 6 weeks postoperatively. All patients completed a 13-question satisfaction survey, while telemedicine patients completed an additional, separate seven-question survey. Patients who switched groups completed a four-question prompt to determine the reasons for switching. Differences between groups were evaluated by either Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: The study enrolled 32 patients, with five patients following up by telemedicine and 27 in person. Age and distance from clinic were similar between patients who were assigned to the telemedicine group, completed the telemedicine visit, and opted for in-person visits (all p>0.05). Patient satisfaction did not vary significantly based on care by the surgeon, concerns being addressed, thoroughness of visit, overall clinical assessment at a prior visit, and improvements in pain and physical function (all p>0.05). Among patients who opted out of telemedicine visits, the most common reason was a preference to meet in-person but these patients agreed that telemedicine visits are a good idea. Conclusions: Regardless of type of follow-up, individuals reported similar levels of satisfaction with treatment during the visit and improvements in pain and physical function.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.131-143
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to identify a set of performance indicators for Korean APNs (Advanced Practice Nurses). Methods: A convenience sample of 78 APNs working in 2 leading hospitals in south Korea participated in the three-round Delphi survey. In the first round, subjects were asked to propose performance indicators to evaluate the effectiveness of their practice. They rated the relevancy of each indicator during the second round. In the final round of survey, subjects rated the relevancy of indicators again in the light of second round's overall results and they also were asked to check on current and future use of indicators. Results: After 5 months of three-round Delphi survey, 60 performance indicators were identified. In regard to relevancy, the 10 highly ranked indicators were patient satisfaction, self-care ability, expertise of service, family satisfaction, nurse satisfaction, satisfaction in nursing education, advanced nursing service count, education for patient/ family, education for nurse, and compliance. Advanced nursing service count, education for patient/ family, and education for nurse are currently used as indicators by more than 70% of respondents. Conclusion: Additional research is needed to identify subsets of performance indicators for specialized areas and to determine the validity and sensitivity of indicators.

• Journal of Dental Anesthesia and Pain Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.161-171
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• 2024

The efficient management of pain and discomfort is essential for successful dental treatment and patient compliance. Dental professionals are commonly evaluated for their ability to perform treatment with minimal patient discomfort. Despite advancements in traditional local dental anesthesia techniques, the pain and discomfort associated with injections remain a concern. This scoping review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the literature on novel dental anesthetics and associated devices designed to alleviate pain and discomfort during dental procedures. The Joanna Briggs Institute and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses Extension for Scoping Reviews guidelines were used to prepare the review. Six databases and two sources of gray literature were searched. This review analyzed 107 sources from 1994 to 2023. Local anesthesia devices were grouped into computer-controlled local anesthetic delivery (CCLAD) systems, intraosseous anesthesia (IOA), vibratory stimulation devices, and electronic dental anesthesia (EDA). CCLAD systems, particularly the Wand and Single-Tooth Anesthesia, have been the most researched, with mixed results regarding their effectiveness in reducing pain during needle insertion compared to traditional syringes. However, CCLAD systems often demonstrated efficacy in reducing pain during anesthetic deposition, especially during palatal injections. Limited studies on IOA devices have reported effective pain alleviation. Vibrating devices have shown inconsistent results in terms of pain reduction, with some studies suggesting their primary benefit is during needle insertion rather than during the administration phase. EDA devices are effective in reducing discomfort but have found limited applicability. These findings suggest that the CCLAD systems reduce injection pain and discomfort. However, the evidence for other devices is limited and inconsistent. The development and research of innovative technologies for reducing dental pain and anxiety provides opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration and improved patient care in dental practice.