• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.67-77
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• 2011

Objectives : The survey was conducted to find out ear acupuncture usage of clinical traditional Korean medicine doctor and lay a foundation for the standards for its clinical application. Methods : An e-mail was sent to Korean medicine doctors whose email addresses are registered at the Association of Korea Oriental Medicine twice over two weeks. 280 completed questionnaires were used for the analysis. Results : 66.07% of respondents answered in use, whereas the answer that "less than 10 per 100 patient applied" was more than majority of 54.29%. The major field of treatment is addictive disorders such as smoking and the 80.11% patients got less than 3 days of treatment. Ear region was the most commonly treated area with 66.67%. Since the self removal frequency was high as 65.05% in compared to the case of visiting clinic. The rate of side effects was less than 10% (96.70%), and these side effects showed light symptoms such as "pain" (46.95%), itchiness (29.27%), flare (19.51%). The Acquired complements for improving ear acupuncture treatment was "the development of effective treatment manual" (28.57%) and "increasing insurance costs" (27.86%). Conclusions : Based on the survey, the vast majority of the TKM doctor used ear acupuncture but the frequency of use was low. We hope this study can be the basis for development of treatment manuals for various indications and safe treatment guidelines.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.173-201
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• 2001

This study purports to examine the current management and information technology related strategy of Korean hospitals and suggest the effective management strategy in the 21st century when is digital era. Specifically the study tries to analyze the changing trends of strategic orientation and investigate the general management and information technology strategy of Korean hospitals. Self-administered Questionnaires were distributed to 721 hospitals nationwide and finally 98 Questionnaires were analyzed for the study. The results of the study are as follows : 1) Half of the respondent hospitals reported that they have an analyzer orientation in 2000, whereas 19.4% were prospectors, reactors 16.4%, and defenders 14.3%. However, the respondent hospitals intended to have a prospector orientation in the future (2002), while 29.6% planned on being analyzers, 17.3% reactors, and 3.1% defenders. 2) Hospital services for improving patient satisfaction were the most common. strategy for the respondent hospitals, followed by cost containment, organizational restructuring, employee education, purchasing system change, specialization of clinical services, quality improvement of medical care, strengthening the networking with the stakeholders, public relations and marketing strategy, diversification, and installing the information system. However, the strategies of annual salary system, retrenchment of unprofitable services, merit payment based on performance were still not popular for the respondent hospitals. 3) As for the strategies related with information technology, most hospitals have not implemented actively, except for the establishment of home-pages, order communication systems, and insurance claims through electronic data interchange system. 4) There were significant differences in the level of strategy implementation in terms of the ownership, bed size, financial performance, and the top managers I knowledge of information technology. The larger bed size, the higher financial performance, the better knowledge of information technology the top managers have, the more strategies the respondent hospitals implemented. The managerial and political implications for Korean hospitals in digital era were also discussed.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.86-97
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• 2017

Purpose: Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) is very common among postoperative orthopedic surgical patients with patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), especially for narcotics. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an evidence-based PONV management protocol on nursing and patient outcomes. Methods: A methodological study was conducted to develop PONV protocol and a quasi-experimental study to evaluate the effectiveness of protocol. The preliminary PONV protocol was drawn by conducting a systematic review and by reviewing clinical guidelines and best practice recommendations. Validation of the content was done by expert clinicians, and the clinical applicability was evaluated by staff nurses and patients. The effect was evaluated in clinical outcomes associated with PONV and nursing outcomes. Results: In the experimental group, the occurrence of vomiting (z= 2.147) was significantly decreased, the maintenance PCA (${\chi}^2=4.212$) and the satisfaction of patients (z= 5.007) were significantly higher. In the outcomes of nurses, the PONV knowledge of nursing care (z = 3.791), awareness (z = 2.982) and self-efficacy (z= 2.745) were higher in the experimental group. The attitude towards evidence-based nursing practice (z= 2.446) was significantly positive. Conclusion: The results show that an evidence-based approach to the implementation of PONV care is effective in improving patient clinical outcomes and quality of care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.853-865
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• 2008

Purpose: The aim of this study was to develop and to analyze the task of gerontological nurse practitioners (GNPs) in Korea. Methods: The definition of GNP and job description was developed based on developing a curriculum (DACUM) by 7 panels who have experienced in DACUM analysis and gerontological nursing. One hundred sixty nurses who were working at long term care facilities were participated. The questionnaire included frequency, importance, and difficulty of duties, tasks, and task elements. The data were collected in November 2006, analyzed by descriptive statistics. Results: The job description of GNPs in Korea revealed 5 duties, 23 tasks, and 86 task elements. On the all five duties, the highest duty in frequency and in importance was professional nursing care ($3.25{\pm}0.35$, $3.49{\pm}0.29$). But the highest duty in difficulty was research ($3.24{\pm}0.46$). 'Prevent health problem ($3.42{\pm}0.43$, $3.56{\pm}0.33$)', 'Teach other staffs ($2.83{\pm}0.77$, $3.39{\pm}0.43$)', 'Develop the evidence-based standards ($2.43{\pm}0.76$, $3.22{\pm}0.43$)', 'Develop the self ($2.81{\pm}0.65$, $3.26{\pm}0.42$)', and 'Participate the team activities' were the highest score in frequency and in criticality of tasks. 'Provide emotional support to older adults and families ($3.16{\pm}0.41$)', 'Counsel older adults and their families ($3.14{\pm}0.49$)', 'Do clinical research ($3.32{\pm}0.49$)', 'Quality insurance ($3.25{\pm}0.49$)', and 'Build collaborative system ($3.18{\pm}0.47$)' were perceived the most difficult tasks. Conclusion: The political efforts for the legislation of role and task of GNPs were needed.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.49-58
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• 2009

Purpose: This study aimed to clarify the needs for hospital-based home care nursing medical services in elder care institutions by analyzing the details and frequency of medical services provided by, and the needs for, hospital based home care nursing in select institutions in Korea. Methods: Seventy-seven staffs at elderly care institutions located throughout the country completed self-report questionnaires between February 1 and May 31, 2009. SPSS ver. 14.0 was used for data analysis regarding frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation. Results: Forty-eight hospital-based home care nursing medical services in eight domains were identified as being needed in elderly care institutions. The most commonly used medical services were providing instruction in oral drug administration, checking drug beneficial/adverse effects, and administering blood glucose test, while the most needed medical services requiring hospital based home care nursing were complex pressure ulcer care, followed by diabetic foot ulcer management and nutrient injection. Conclusion: The present results should provide fundamental data for better healthcare services with hospital based home care nursing at elderly care institutions as part of a 'win-win' strategy through which medical expenses are reduced, insurance costs are kept stable, and safe and high-quality medical services are provided for residents of elder care institutions. Political decisions intended to promote visits by hospital based home care nurses to elder care institutions would be a prudent course.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.83-103
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• 2009

The main objective of this study is to investigate the influence of physician's communication styles and quality, and physician-patient relationship on patient satisfaction for improving physician's communication which is one of factors determining service quality in health care services, and providing the suggestion for building the positive physician-patient relationship. Data were collected from 341 inpatients in 13 general hospitals and university hospitals located in Busan Metropolitan City and Kyeongsang-do area using structured self-administered questionnaires. Major results of the empirical analysis are as follows; First, mutual-opened-cooperative physician-patient relationship, patient's communication receptive attitude, patient-oriented physician's communication style, and quality were significantly varied by respondents' characteristics such as age, consensual, job, and income. Second, empathy, patient's communication receptive attitude, physician-patient relationship, and patient satisfaction were significantly varied by respondents' medical-related conditions. Third, there was a significant correlation between active communication receptive attitude of patient and mutual-opened-cooperative physician-patient relationship. Fourth, patient-oriented physician's communication style and physician-patient relationship were found to have positive influence on total communication quality and effectiveness and empathy facet of communication quality both. Finally, patient-oriented physician's communication style, empathy, active communication receptive attitude of patient, and mutual-opened-cooperative physician-patient relationship were found to have positive influence on patient satisfaction. This research findings suggest that putting emphasis on effective physician's communication and enhancing positive physician-patient relationship are crucial for marketing activities and customer satisfaction management in health care settings.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.265-271
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• 2014

Objective: This study aims to explore the perception of off-label use of medications and the provision of informed consents from the general public's perspective. Methods: The study subjects (n=291) were recruited from 7 cities in Korea through a convenience sampling method. The self-administered questionnaire with 13 items was issued and collected. The study subjects who have had a pharmaceutical job were excluded. Results: The total of 231 respondents was included. Only 23% of respondents were familiar with the concept of off-label use of medications. Eighty five percent of respondents (n=196) stated that the prescribers should explain the off-label use of a medication to their patients. The preferred method for delivering the message was the oral explanation (n=122, 53%), followed by oral explanation plus a pamphlet (n=94, 41%). The safety issue is the most concerned aspect regarding the off-label drug use, also effectiveness and insurance coverage. The majority of respondents (n=217, 94%) agreed that the prescriber should get a consent from patients before prescribing medications for off-label use. They preferred written consent to oral consent (140 vs. 77). Conclusion: This study demonstrated general publics are infrequently aware of off-label use of medications. It is important to raise public awareness of the off-label use of medications and to openly discuss its pros and cons for safe and effective drug therapy.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.240-251
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• 2015

Background: Dentist's income is quite variable. We investigate the factors underlying the distribution of dental revenue and dentist income. Methods: Financial and structural variables of private dental practices(N=13,967) were examined with 2010 Economic Census microdata which include non-insurance revenue. We conducted quantile regression method(QRM) and ordinary least square(OLS) in treating skewness and heteroskedasticity of distributions. The effective estimation for the upper and lower range of distribution becomes possible by QRM. Results: Mid-career dentists are shown to have higher revenue and income. Male dentists achieve the higher revenue and income than female dentists in all quantiles. Group practices show lower income per owner than solo practices significantly. The revenue and income are increased with increasing size of clinics. The high cost in renting the clinic office is found to have a big positive effect on the revenue but a little positive effect on the income. Interestingly the density of dentists shows negative effect on the lowest quantile of the revenue but positive effect on the highest quantile. The lowest quantile of the revenue in the capital areas have the relatively high revenue. The lowest quantile of the income in metropolitan city show higher income than those in other areas significantly. Conclusion: The suggested QRM is shown to have more effective and efficient tool in finding out determinants of dentists' revenue and income of our concern. The results of this study are expected to be employed for dentists preparing for the opening practices in their organizational settings and locational selections. The distributional efficiency of dental human resources could be accomplished if policy makers guide dentists with this knowledge.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.71-86
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• 1997

This study is to suggest some developmental policies by analyzing the activities of first aid party in Kwangju and Chonnam regions for two years from Jan. 1, 1991 to the end of December, 1995. First, the residents in Kwangju and Chonnam regions have the sufficient benefits of emergency medical center, but it will be desirable that general hospital should be established and managed in Kohung peninsula which forms the wide island area far away from big cities. Second, the classification of the degree of severe case in the field by rescue members should be strengthened as the means which can reduce the number of patients transferred to the emergency room and the legal method which rescue members can select the medical agency. Third, children less than 10 are most frequent emergent patients and it is due to parent's indifference and children's in sensibility to safety. So the safely education in the course of infant and elementary education should be strengthened and the method which can keep the self safety through the legal system. Fourth, to increase the rate of emergency measure by rescue members, the reasons of fail of emergency treatment are suggested, the treatment results of each rescue member are analyzed every year and it is desirable that the system which can evaluate the personal ability should be introduced. Fifth, the medical accidents occurred in the case of medical act, by rescue members must lake the legal responsibility, but such a problem can he solved with the compensation of insurance system by government. Sixth, to reduce the time required for transfer, traveling service system for the fixed period in beach should be complemented and extended more and service system at ordinary times should be examined at mountains, the area of traffic jams and large special industrial park. Seventh, since service system with one team of two members of 119 rescue party in expressway cannot be mobilized when multiple accidents occur at the same time, it is considered that service system of two teams of four members should be extended. Eighth, first-aid service in expressway is conducted with rescue and emergency treatment by the rescue party at the same time, but the professional rescue lacks and it may result in the injury of patients. Therefore the creation of rescue party in expressway is the urgent problem.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify differences in Health Locus of Control (HLOC), depression, wellbeing, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP) between middle aged Korean and Korean-American women. Methods: Data from 80 Korean-American women living in Los Angeles, USA and 82 Korean women living in W-city, Korea, were collected using a self administered questionnaire including items on HLOC, HPLP, a Wellbeing Index and Major Depression Inventory. Results: There were statistically significant differences between the middle aged Koreans and Korean-Americans on mean age, education, religion, and current health insurance. Significant differences were found on HLOC (F= 2.504, p=.033) and Wellbeing (F=2.451, p=.036). The results also showed significant differences on HPLP (total HPLP, F=4.655, p=.001; physical activity, F=2.967, p=.014; nutrition, F=4.250, p=.001; spiritual growth, F=4.398, p=.001; interpersonal relations, F=2.648, p=.025; and stress management, F=5.201, p<.001) using ANCOVA. However, there were no significant differences on depression, or health responsibility in HPLP between the groups. Conclusion: Understanding middle aged women's health adjustments based on their culture will enhance the ability of health professionals to provide culturally congruent care and enable middle aged women to develop healthy lifestyles.