• Title/Summary/Keyword: quality of work life

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The Characteristics of Depression in Cancer Patients on Chemotherapy (항암제 투여 환자의 우울 양상)

  • Joo, Yeol;Seo, Wan-Seok;Kim, Jin-Sung;Lee, Jong-Bum;Cheung, Seung-Douk;Song, Shin-Ho;Bai, Dai-Seog;Lee, Kyung-Hee;Hyun, Myung-Soo
    • Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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    • v.10 no.2
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    • pp.154-165
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    • 2002
  • Objectives : The purpose of this study was to identify characteristics of depression in cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. Methods : Subjects were 37 cancer inpatients of oncology in Yeungnam university hospital. BDI and ZDS were done and HDS was performed through semistructured interview. Results: 1) There were no significant differences of depression scale score according to sex, education, religion, marital status. 2) The mean scores of BDI, ZDS and HDS in 37 cancer patients were 18.27${\pm}$7.73, 36.51${\pm}$10.82, 15.14${\pm}$6.60, respectively. 3) HDS, ZDS scores were significantly higher in other cancer group receiving high dose chemotherapy. 4) Item score for depressed mood, diurnal variation(p<0.001), dissatisfaction(p<0.01), physical anxiety, decreased libido, sleep disturbance(p<0.05) were significantly higher in other cancer group than others. 5) Eight patients were diagnosed as having major depressive disorder, 11 as adjustment disorder, and 18 patients had no axis I diagnosis. 6) In major depressive disorder group, the score of the depressed mood item in ZDS was high (p<0.05). HDS item score for depressed mood, work difficulty, anxiey(p<0.001), psychomotor retardation(p<0.01) were significantly higher in major depressive disorder group. 7) In patients with adjustment disorder, ZDS item score of constipation(p<0.001), fatigue, anorexia (p<0.01), emptiness, sleep disturbance, dissatisfaction, weight loss(p<0.01) were high. HDS item score of hypochondriasis(p<0.01), agitation(p<0.01), fatigue, decreased libido(p<0.05) were significantly higher in adjustment disorder group. Conclusion : Some psychiatric disorders, such as adjustment disorder and major depressive disorder were common in the cancer patients in chemotherapy. Psychiatric intervention will increase compliance of cancer treatment and improve the quality of life. This study suggests that it would be important to consider the nature of somatic symptoms in diagnosing depression in cancer patients.

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Characteristics and development plan of Home Economics teachers' culture (가정과교사 문화의 특징과 발전 방안)

  • Kim, Seung-Hee;Chae, Jung-Hyun
    • Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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    • v.30 no.2
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    • pp.77-102
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    • 2018
  • The purpose of this study was to contribute to Home Economics(HE) teachers' culture by figuring out acknowledging characteristics of cultures of HE teachers and impeding factors on development of HE education. For this intensive interview were used. Intensive interviews were made with 14 HE teachers who completed coursework for master's or doctor's program of graduate school and belong to HE Teachers' Study Associations of each region or Korean Home Economics Education Association and analyzed by subject analysis method. The results of the study are as follows. First, HE teachers establish the philosophy of HE education, and practice education to provide profit to adolescents, their families, as well as society through HE class with their belief that HE is a practical and critical subject to benefit individual adolescents, families, and society. Second, HE teachers form culture to make an effort to continue to improve their expertises by attending graduate school, joining HE teachers' associations to enhance teaching methods, evaluation methods, and work ability or disclosing their own class. Third, HE teachers settle culture to conduct classes focusing on practical issues by converting the paradigm of HE education to that of practical critique. They also see that the system of three actions(technical action, communicative action, and emancipative action) should be applied in circulating ways to improve quality and value of life. Forth, for impeding factors of development of HE education, there are educational system and social recognition. However, with HE teachers' efforts, HE education settles well, as it reflects demands from students and society, finds students' talents, and actualizes its own goals. HE teachers believe that student will recognize that HE education is necessary for happiness of individuals and families. As a way to develop Home Economics teacher culture, Home Economics teachers should have the opportunity to develop more Home Economics teachers by participating in and working in research sessions in each area. It also called for a control tower to enable and lead collaborative networks between local Home Economics curriculum research committees. The Korean Home Economics Education Association should play a central role in the academic research community of each region and be able to help Home Economics teachers by moving more quickly and systematically to cope with the upcoming changes in education. Finally, participants said that in order to prepare a basic framework for the change in Home Economics education, practical critical Home Economics teacher training are needed. To this end, students can understand the essence of Home Economics education and establish their identity by taking a deeper Home Economics education curriculum philosophy for Home Economics teacher training.

THE CURRENT STATUS OF BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING IN THE USA

  • Webster, John G.
    • Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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    • v.1992 no.05
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    • pp.27-47
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    • 1992
  • Engineers have developed new instruments that aid in diagnosis and therapy Ultrasonic imaging has provided a nondamaging method of imaging internal organs. A complex transducer emits ultrasonic waves at many angles and reconstructs a map of internal anatomy and also velocities of blood in vessels. Fast computed tomography permits reconstruction of the 3-dimensional anatomy and perfusion of the heart at 20-Hz rates. Positron emission tomography uses certain isotopes that produce positrons that react with electrons to simultaneously emit two gamma rays in opposite directions. It locates the region of origin by using a ring of discrete scintillation detectors, each in electronic coincidence with an opposing detector. In magnetic resonance imaging, the patient is placed in a very strong magnetic field. The precessing of the hydrogen atoms is perturbed by an interrogating field to yield two-dimensional images of soft tissue having exceptional clarity. As an alternative to radiology image processing, film archiving, and retrieval, picture archiving and communication systems (PACS) are being implemented. Images from computed radiography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, and ultrasound are digitized, transmitted, and stored in computers for retrieval at distributed work stations. In electrical impedance tomography, electrodes are placed around the thorax. 50-kHz current is injected between two electrodes and voltages are measured on all other electrodes. A computer processes the data to yield an image of the resistivity of a 2-dimensional slice of the thorax. During fetal monitoring, a corkscrew electrode is screwed into the fetal scalp to measure the fetal electrocardiogram. Correlations with uterine contractions yield information on the status of the fetus during delivery To measure cardiac output by thermodilution, cold saline is injected into the right atrium. A thermistor in the right pulmonary artery yields temperature measurements, from which we can calculate cardiac output. In impedance cardiography, we measure the changes in electrical impedance as the heart ejects blood into the arteries. Motion artifacts are large, so signal averaging is useful during monitoring. An intraarterial blood gas monitoring system permits monitoring in real time. Light is sent down optical fibers inserted into the radial artery, where it is absorbed by dyes, which reemit the light at a different wavelength. The emitted light travels up optical fibers where an external instrument determines O2, CO2, and pH. Therapeutic devices include the electrosurgical unit. A high-frequency electric arc is drawn between the knife and the tissue. The arc cuts and the heat coagulates, thus preventing blood loss. Hyperthermia has demonstrated antitumor effects in patients in whom all conventional modes of therapy have failed. Methods of raising tumor temperature include focused ultrasound, radio-frequency power through needles, or microwaves. When the heart stops pumping, we use the defibrillator to restore normal pumping. A brief, high-current pulse through the heart synchronizes all cardiac fibers to restore normal rhythm. When the cardiac rhythm is too slow, we implant the cardiac pacemaker. An electrode within the heart stimulates the cardiac muscle to contract at the normal rate. When the cardiac valves are narrowed or leak, we implant an artificial valve. Silicone rubber and Teflon are used for biocompatibility. Artificial hearts powered by pneumatic hoses have been implanted in humans. However, the quality of life gradually degrades, and death ensues. When kidney stones develop, lithotripsy is used. A spark creates a pressure wave, which is focused on the stone and fragments it. The pieces pass out normally. When kidneys fail, the blood is cleansed during hemodialysis. Urea passes through a porous membrane to a dialysate bath to lower its concentration in the blood. The blind are able to read by scanning the Optacon with their fingertips. A camera scans letters and converts them to an array of vibrating pins. The deaf are able to hear using a cochlear implant. A microphone detects sound and divides it into frequency bands. 22 electrodes within the cochlea stimulate the acoustic the acoustic nerve to provide sound patterns. For those who have lost muscle function in the limbs, researchers are implanting electrodes to stimulate the muscle. Sensors in the legs and arms feed back signals to a computer that coordinates the stimulators to provide limb motion. For those with high spinal cord injury, a puff and sip switch can control a computer and permit the disabled person operate the computer and communicate with the outside world.

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Clinical Applications and Efficacy of Korean Ginseng (고려인삼의 주요 효능과 그 임상적 응용)

  • Nam, Ki-Yeul
    • Journal of Ginseng Research
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    • v.26 no.3
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    • pp.111-131
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    • 2002
  • Korean ginseng (Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer) received a great deal of attention from the Orient and West as a tonic agent, health food and/or alternative herbal therapeutic agent. However, controversy with respect to scientific evidence on pharmacological effects especially, evaluation of clinical efficacy and the methodological approach still remains to be solved. Author reviewed those articles published since 1980 when pharmacodynamic studies on ginseng have intensively started. Special concern was paid on metabolic disorders including diabetes mellitus, circulatory disorders, malignant tumor, sexual dysfunction, and physical and mental performance to give clear information to those who are interested in pharmacological study of ginseng and to promote its clinical use. With respect to chronic diseases such as diabetes mellitus, atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, malignant disorders, and sexual disorders, it seems that ginseng plays preventive and restorative role rather than therapeutics. Particularly, ginseng plays a significant role in ameliorating subjective symptoms and preventing quality of life from deteriorating by long term exposure of chemical therapeutic agents. Also it seems that the potency of ginseng is mild, therefore it could be more effective when used concomitantly with conventional therapy. Clinical studies on the tonic effect of ginseng on work performance demonstrated that physical and mental dysfunction induced by various stresses are improved by increasing adaptability of physical condition. However, the results obtained from clinical studies cannot be mentioned in the indication, which are variable upon the scientist who performed those studies. In this respect, standardized ginseng product and providing planning of the systematic clinical research in double-blind randomized controlled trials are needed to assess the real efficacy for proposing ginseng indication. Pharmacological mode of action of ginseng has not yet been fully elucidated. Pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic researches reveal that the role of ginseng not seem to be confined to a given single organ. It has been known that ginseng plays a beneficial role in such general organs as central nervous, endocrine, metabolic, immune systems, which means ginseng improves general physical and mental conditons. Such multivalent effect of ginseng can be attributed to the main active component of ginseng,ginsenosides or non-saponin compounds which are also recently suggested to be another active ingredients. As is generally the similar case with other herbal medicines, effects of ginseng cannot be attributed as a given single compound or group of components. Diversified ingredients play synergistic or antagonistic role each other and act in harmonized manner. A few cases of adverse effect in clinical uses are reported, however, it is not observed when standardized ginseng products are used and recommended dose was administered. Unfavorable interaction with other drugs has also been suggested, which the information on the products and administered dosage are not available. However, efficacy, safety, interaction or contraindication with other medicines has to be more intensively investigated in order to promote clinical application of ginseng. For example, daily recommended doses per day are not agreement as 1-2g in the West and 3-6 g in the Orient. Duration of administration also seems variable according to the purpose. Two to three months are generally recommended to feel the benefit but time- and dose-dependent effects of ginseng still need to be solved from now on. Furthermore, the effect of ginsenosides transformed by the intestinal microflora, and differential effect associated with ginsenosides content and its composition also should be clinically evaluated in the future. In conclusion, the more wide-spread use of ginseng as a herbal medicine or nutraceutical supplement warrants the more rigorous investigations to assess its effacy and safety. In addition, a careful quality control of ginseng preparations should be done to ensure an acceptable standardization of commercial products.

Implementation of Radiotherapy Educational Contents Using Virtual Reality (가상현실 기술을 활용한 방사선치료 교육 콘텐츠 제작 구현)

  • Kwon, Soon-Mu;Shim, Jae-Goo;Chon, Kwon-Su
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Radiology
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.409-415
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    • 2018
  • The development of smart devices has brought about significant changes in daily life and one of the most significant changes is the virtual reality zone. Virtual reality is a technology that creates the illusion that a 3D high-resolution image has already been created using a display device just like it does in itself. Unrealized subjects are forced to rely on audiovisual materials, resulting in a decline in the concentration of practices and the quality of classes. It used virtual reality to develop effective teaching materials for radiology students. In order to produce a video clip bridge using virtual reality, a radiology clinic was selected to conduct two exposures from July to September 2017. The video was produced taking into account the radiology and work flow chart and filming was carried out in two separate locations : in the computerized tomography unit and in the LINAC room. Prior to filming the scenario and the filming route were checked in advance to facilitate editing of the video. Modeling and mapping was performed in a PC environment using the Window XP operating system. Using two leading virtual reality camera Gopro Hero, CC pixels were produced using a 4K UHD, Adobe, followed by an 8 megapixel resolution of $3,840{\times}2,160/4,096{\times}2,160$. Total regeneration time was performed in about 5 minutes during the production of using virtual reality to prevent vomiting and dizziness. Currently developed virtual reality radiation and educational contents are being used to secure the market and extend the promotion process to be used by various institutions. The researchers will investigate the satisfaction level of radiation and educational contents using virtual reality and carry out supplementary tasks depending on the results.

The Legal Response and Future Tasks regarding Oil-Spill Damage to Korea - Focusing on the Hebei Spirit oil-spill (한국의 해양유류오염피해에 대한 법적 대응과 과제 - HEBEI SPIRIT호 유류유출사고를 중심으로 -)

  • Han, Sang-Woon
    • Journal of Environmental Policy
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    • v.7 no.3
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    • pp.89-120
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    • 2008
  • With petroleum being a major source of energy in Korea, the quantity of petroleum transported via ocean routes is on its way up due to increased consumption. Due to the increase, more than 300 cases of pollution caused by petroleum occur annually. Moreover, the number of oil-spill accidents is also on the rise. Causes of such accidents, not including the disposal of waste oil on purpose, turn out to be human error during navigation or defects in the vessels, showing that most accidents are caused by humans. Therefore, to prevent future oil spills, it is imperative that navigation efficiency be enhanced by improving the quality of navigators and replacing old vessels with newer ones. Nevertheless, such improvements cannot occur overnight, so long- and mid-term efforts should be made to achieve it institutionally. As large-scale oil-spill accidents can happen at anytime along the coastal waters of Korea, it is necessary to set-up institutional devices which go beyond the compensation limit of 92FC. The current special law regarding this issue has its limits in that it prescribes compensation be supplemented solely by national taxes. Therefore, the setting-up of a new 'national fund' is recommended for consideration rather than to subscribe to the '2003 Convention for the Supplementary Fund'. It is strongly suggested that a National fund be created from fees collected from oil companies based on the risks involved in oil transportation and according to the profiteers pay principle. In addition, a public fund should be created to handle general environmental damage, such as the large-scale destruction of the ecosystem, which is distinct from the economic damage that harms the local people. The posterior responses to the large-scale oil spill have always been unsatisfactory because of the symbolic nature of the disasters included in such accidents. Oil-spills can be prevented in advance, because they are caused by human beings. But once they occur, they inflict long-term damage to both human life and the natural ecosystem. Therefore, the best response to future oil-spills is to work to prevent them.

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A Study on the Component-based GIS Development Methodology using UML (UML을 활용한 컴포넌트 기반의 GIS 개발방법론에 관한 연구)

  • Park, Tae-Og;Kim, Kye-Hyun
    • Journal of Korea Spatial Information System Society
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    • v.3 no.2 s.6
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    • pp.21-43
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    • 2001
  • The environment to development information system including a GIS has been drastically changed in recent years in the perspectives of the complexity and diversity of the software, and the distributed processing and network computing, etc. This leads the paradigm of the software development to the CBD(Component Based Development) based object-oriented technology. As an effort to support these movements, OGC has released the abstract and implementation standards to enable approaching to the service for heterogeneous geographic information processing. It is also common trend in domestic field to develop the GIS application based on the component technology for municipal governments. Therefore, it is imperative to adopt the component technology considering current movements, yet related research works have not been made. This research is to propose a component-based GIS development methodology-ATOM(Advanced Technology Of Methodology)-and to verify its adoptability through the case study. ATOM can be used as a methodology to develop component itself and enterprise GIS supporting the whole procedure for the software development life cycle based on conventional reusable component. ATOM defines stepwise development process comprising activities and work units of each process. Also, it provides input and output, standardized items and specs for the documentation, detailed instructions for the easy understanding of the development methodology. The major characteristics of ATOM would be the component-based development methodology considering numerous features of the GIS domain to generate a component with a simple function, the smallest size, and the maximum reusability. The case study to validate the adoptability of the ATOM showed that it proves to be a efficient tool for generating a component providing relatively systematic and detailed guidelines for the component development. Therefore, ATOM would lead to the promotion of the quality and the productivity for developing application GIS software and eventually contribute to the automatic production of the GIS software, the our final goal.

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Effects of Feeding Type of Concentrates During Growing Period and Slaughter Age on Growth Performance, Feed Efficiency and Carcass Characteristics in Growing-Fattening Holstein Steers (홀스타인 거세우에 대한 육성기 농후사료 급여형태 및 출하월령이 성장발육, 사료이용성 및 도체특성에 미치는 효과)

  • Kang, S.W.;Jeong, H.Y.;Ahn, B.S.;Oh, Y.K.;Son, Y.S.
    • Journal of Animal Science and Technology
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    • v.46 no.6
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    • pp.989-998
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    • 2004
  • The objectives of this work was to investigate the effects of feeding type of concentrates during growing period and slaughter age on growth performance, feed efficiency and carcass characteristics in growing-fattening Holstein steers. Treatments were two concentrates feeding types(ad libitum or restricted 1.9% of BW) and three slaughter ages(at 19, 22 or 25 mo). Body weight at slaughter was numerically higher(approx. 8.3%) for the restricted than the ad libitum feeding groups. TDN intake rate was higher(8.4%) for the restricted than the ad libitum feeding groups. One mo slaughter delay increased TDN intake by 4%. Despite the lack of significances, higher back fat thickness and rib-eye area appeared in the restricted feeding or the late slaughter groups compared with the ad libitum feeding or the early slaughter groups. Marbling score(mean 2.46) numerically increased when the steers were restrictively fed concentrates compared with the ad libitum feeding groups. In addition, significant increases in the marbling score were associated with the slaughter age delay. In economic analysis, increases in total income were associated with the restricted feeding and the slaughter age delay. Whereas the highest monthly income appeared in the restricted feeding-and-slaughter at 22 mo group. In conclusion, the optimal feeding system may be 1) the restricted concentrates feeding(1.9% of BW) during growing period and 2) the late slaughter age(22${\sim}$25 mo of age) in growing-fattening Holstein steers fed rice straw.

Comparison of health care practice, dietary behavior, and nutrient intakes, considering the alcohol drinking status of industrial workers in the Chungnam area (충남지역 일부 산업체 근로자의 알코올섭취 수준에 따른 건강관리 실천, 식행동 및 영양소 섭취상태 비교)

  • Park, Gun Hee;Rho, Jeong Ok
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.54 no.3
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    • pp.277-291
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    • 2021
  • Purpose: This study was undertaken to identify the alcohol drinking status of industrial workers, their health care practice, and dietary behavior, as well as their nutrient intake. Methods: In July 2019, 220 male subjects working in the Chungnam area were enrolled in the study. Their alcohol drinking status was evaluated by applying the Alcohol Use Disorder Identification-K (AUDIT-K) system. Demographic characteristics, status of health care practice, and dietary behaviors were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire; nutrient intakes were analyzed using 24-hour recalls. Data were analyzed by applying χ2-test, ANOVA, Duncan test, and Pearson's correlation analysis with SPSS v. 25.0. Results: Workers were classified by their alcohol drinking status as 'normal' (84, 38.2%), 'problem drinker' (45, 20.5%), 'alcohol dependence I' (60, 27.3%), and 'alcohol dependence II' (31, 16.0%). The alcohol drinking status showed significant differences with age (p < 0.05), monthly income (p < 0.05), smoking status (p < 0.05), and need for weight control (p < 0.05). Moreover, increased alcohol intake resulted in significantly decreased levels of health care practice and dietary behaviors (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, respectively). The energy intake was highest in the 'alcohol dependence I' group, followed by 'alcohol dependence II', 'problem drinker', and 'normal drinker' (p < 0.05). Intakes of vitamin E, vitamin C, and niacin in the 'alcohol dependence I' group were found to be higher than the other groups (p < 0.05). A negative correlation was obtained between alcohol drinking status, health care practice, and dietary behaviors, whereas a positive correlation was determined between alcohol drinking status, energy and water intakes. Conclusion: Considering these results, we conclude the necessity to consider nutritional and alcoholic education programs for improving the quality of work life of industrial workers, based on their alcohol drinking status.

A Study on Hoslital Nurses' Preferred Duty Shift and Duty Hours (병원 간호사의 선호근무시간대에 관한 연구)

  • Lee, Gyeong-Sik;Jeong, Geum-Hui
    • The Korean Nurse
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    • v.36 no.1
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    • pp.77-96
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    • 1997
  • The duty shifts of hospital nurses not only affect nurses' physical and mental health but also present various personnel management problems which often result in high turnover rates. In this context a study was carried out from October to November 1995 for a period of two months to find out the status of hospital nurses' duty shift patterns, and preferred duty hours and fixed duty shifts. The study population was 867 RNs working in five general hospitals located in Seoul and its vicinity. The questionnaire developed by the writer was used for data collection. The response rate was 85.9 percent or 745 returns. The SAS program was used for data analysis with the computation of frequencies, percentages and Chi square test. The findings of the study are as follows: 1. General characteristics of the study population: 56 percent of respondents was (25 years group and 76.5 percent were "single": the predominant proportion of respondents was junior nursing college graduates(92.2%) and have less than 5 years nursing experience in hospitals(65.5%). For their future working plan in nursing profession, nearly 50% responded as uncertain The reasons given for their career plan was predominantly 'personal growth and development' rather than financial reasons. 2. The interval for rotations of duty stations was found to be mostly irregular(56.4%) while others reported as weekly(16.1%), monthly(12.9%), and fixed terms(4.6%). 3. The main problems related to duty shifts particularly the evening and night duty nurses reported were "not enough time for the family, " "afraid of security problems after the work when returning home late at night." and "lack of leisure time". "problems in physical and physiological adjustment." "problems in family life." "lack of time for interactions with fellow nurses" etc. 4. The forty percent of respondents reported to have '1-2 times' of duty shift rotations while all others reported that '0 time'. '2-3 times'. 'more than 3 times' etc. which suggest the irregularity in duty shift rotations. 5. The majority(62.8%) of study population found to favor the rotating system of duty stations. The reasons for favoring the rotation system were: the opportunity for "learning new things and personal development." "better human relations are possible. "better understanding in various duty stations." "changes in monotonous routine job" etc. The proportion of those disfavor the rotating 'system was 34.7 percent. giving the reasons of"it impedes development of specialization." "poor job performances." "stress factors" etc. Furthermore. respondents made the following comments in relation to the rotation of duty stations: the nurses should be given the opportunity to participate in the. decision making process: personal interest and aptitudes should be considered: regular intervals for the rotations or it should be planned in advance. etc. 6. For the future career plan. the older. married group with longer nursing experiences appeared to think the nursing as their lifetime career more likely than the younger. single group with shorter nursing experiences ($x^2=61.19.{\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=41.55.{\;}p=.000$). The reason given for their future career plan regardless of length of future service, was predominantly "personal growth and development" rather than financial reasons. For further analysis, the group those with the shorter career plan appeared to claim "financial reasons" for their future career more readily than the group who consider the nursing job as their lifetime career$(x^2$= 11.73, p=.003) did. This finding suggests the need for careful .considerations in personnel management of nursing administration particularly when dealing with the nurses' career development. The majority of respondents preferred the fixed day shift. However, further analysis of those preferred evening shift by age and civil status, "< 25 years group"(15.1%) and "single group"(13.2) were more likely to favor the fixed evening shift than > 25 years(6.4%) and married(4.8%)groups. This differences were statistically significant ($x^2=14.54, {\;}p=.000;{\;}x^2=8.75, {\;}p=.003$). 7. A great majority of respondents(86.9% or n=647) found to prefer the day shifts. When the four different types of duty shifts(Types A. B. C, D) were presented, 55.0 percent of total respondents preferred the A type or the existing one followed by D type(22.7%). B type(12.4%) and C type(8.2%). 8. When the condition of monetary incentives for the evening(20% of salary) and night shifts(40% of. salary) of the existing duty type was presented. again the day shift appeared to be the most preferred one although the rate was slightly lower(66.4% against 86.9%). In the case of evening shift, with the same incentive, the preference rates for evening and night shifts increased from 11.0 to 22.4 percent and from 0.5 to 3.0 percent respectively. When the age variable was controlled. < 25 yrs group showed higher rates(31.6%. 4.8%) than those of > 25 yrs group(15.5%. 1.3%) respectively preferring the evening and night shifts(p=.000). The civil status also seemed to operate on the preferences of the duty shifts as the single group showed lower rate(69.0%) for day duty against 83. 6% of the married group. and higher rates for evening and night duties(27.2%. 15.1%) respectively against those of the married group(3.8%. 1.8%) while a higher proportion of the married group(83. 6%) preferred the day duties than the single group(69.0%). These differences were found to be statistically all significant(p=.001). 9. The findings on preferences of three different types of fixed duty hours namely, B, C. and D(with additional monetary incentives) are as follows in order of preference: B type(12hrs a day, 3days a wk): day shift(64.1%), evening shift(26.1%). night shift(6.5%) C type(12hrs a day. 4days a wk) : evening shift(49.2%). day shift(32.8%), night shift(11.5%) D type(10hrs a day. 4days a wk): showed the similar trend as B type. The findings of higher preferences on the evening and night duties when the incentives are given. as shown above, suggest the need for the introductions of different patterns of duty hours and incentive measures in order to overcome the difficulties in rostering the nursing duties. However, the interpretation of the above data, particularly the C type, needs cautions as the total number of respondents is very small(n=61). It requires further in-depth study. In conclusion. it seemed to suggest that the patterns of nurses duty hours and shifts in the most hospitals in the country have neither been tried for different duty types nor been flexible. The stereotype rostering system of three shifts and insensitiveness for personal life aspect of nurses seemed to be prevailing. This study seems to support that irregular and frequent rotations of duty shifts may be contributing factors for most nurses' maladjustment problems in physical and mental health. personal and family life which eventually may result in high turnover rates. In order to overcome the increasing problems in personnel management of hospital nurses particularly in rostering of evening and night duty shifts, which may related to eventual high turnover rates, the findings of this study strongly suggest the need for an introduction of new rostering systems including fixed duties and appropriate incentive measures for evenings and nights which the most nurses want to avoid, In considering the nursing care of inpatients is the round-the clock business. the practice of the nursing duty shift system is inevitable. In this context, based on the findings of this study. the following are recommended: 1. The further in-depth studies on duty shifts and hours need to be undertaken for the development of appropriate and effective rostering systems for hospital nurses. 2. An introduction of appropriate incentive measures for evening and night duty shifts along with organizational considerations such as the trials for preferred duty time bands, duty hours, and fixed duty shifts should be considered if good quality of care for the patients be maintained for the round the clock. This may require an initiation of systematic research and development activities in the field of hospital nursing administration as a part of permanent system in the hospital. 3. Planned and regular intervals, orientation and training, and professional and personal growth should be considered for the rotation of different duty stations or units. 4. In considering the higher degree of preferences in the duty type of "10hours a day, 4days a week" shown in this study, it would be worthwhile to undertake the R&D type studies in large hospital settings.

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