• Title/Summary/Keyword: stress factors

Search Result 6,253, Processing Time 0.049 seconds

The Assessment on Health Status of Workers by using HPLP and Sa-sang Constitutional Questionnaire (HPLP와 사상체질설문(四象體質說問)을 이용(利用)한 근로자(勤勞者)들의 건강상태(健康狀態) 평가(評價))

  • Choi Mun-Il;Lee Eun-Kyoung;Kwon So-Hee;Ko Kwang-Jae;Seo Byeong-Yun;Jeoung Jae-Yeal;Jahng Doo-Sub;Song Yung-Sun;Lee Ki-Nam
    • Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
    • /
    • v.5 no.1
    • /
    • pp.41-56
    • /
    • 2001
  • Overview: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the determinants on the correlation between constitution and health promoting lifestyle profile on the workers. Also, the questionnaire on the HPLP (health promoting lifestyle profile) of Walker(1987) and Sa-sang constitution of Lee(l894) were utilized Methods: Data from a representative sample of 652 workers were analyzed Pearson's chi-square test analysis was utilized to test the explanatory causal model and to determine the direct and indirect effects of independent variables on quality of life. Results: Constitutional distribution among exposed group, were Tae-eum In(43.7%), So-eum In(33.6%), and So-yang In(22.7%). The degree of the subjects practicing health promoting lifestyle, on a scale of 1 to 4, is an average of 2.62, personal relations 2.94, self-realization 2.86, stress management 2.71, nutrition 2.68, responsibility for health 2.37, and exercise 2.21, with personal relations earning the highest points and exercise the lowest As for factors influencing health promoting lifestyle, there is significant difference between sex and age. That is female and higher age. On the difference between constitution and health promoting lifestyle, Tae-eum In is the highest all area except personal relations. So-eum In is the lowest all area except responsibility for health. Conclusions: Tae-eum In totally do health promoting lifestyle well but So-eum In relatively not. On the Study we used the HPLP(health promoting lifestyle profile) on the premise that each person's daily life, the attitude and the practice level to the health have an influence on the health. So in the constitution there is a little differences in the consideration and the practice level and health condition will be different. On this study we finish up by knowing about the health promoting lifestyle. But on next time we will have to go on studying about the sign and the comparison with the result of western and oriental medical health examination to the each constitution on carrying out continuously oriental medical health examination.

  • PDF

Nursing research issues and trends : views from Korea (우리나라 간호연구의 현황과 문제)

  • Oh, Kasil;Sin, Hee-Sun;Kim, Hee-Soon
    • The Korean Nurse
    • /
    • v.31 no.3
    • /
    • pp.76-87
    • /
    • 1992
  • The purposes of study was: 1. To identify the direction and scope of research activities in Korean Nursing. 2. To discuss the unique problems present in Korea that warrant nursing research. 3. To delineate the factors that facilitate and/or hinder nursing research in Korea. This study was conducted at six colleges of nursing in Korea. The schools which were selected had doctoral programs at the time, the data were collected in 1990. Four of the schools were located in the metropolitan area of the capital city, Seoul, and two were in two other cities similar in size. The total population of the study was 283 nurses. The instrument for the research was the English version of Research Profile Questionnaire which was translated into Korean by the researchers and was validated in its translation by two professors. A pretest procedure was done before the data collection process. Of the population of 283, 210 subjects received the questionnaire and 150 subjects responded(71.4%). Excluding incomplete questionnaires, 141 questionnaires were utilized for data analysis. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Responses to open-ended questions were content analyzed for themes and categories. Results of the study were as follows : Respondents currently , involved in nursing research numbered 108(76.6%), but 33(23.4%) did not have any research experience. The inexperienced respondenLs tended to be younger than the experienced subjects and most( 60.6%) were employed in hospitals, while 82.4 percent of the experienced nurses were employed in nursing schools. Among the respondents with research experience, 68.5 percent were involved in one to three projects and 31.5 percent were engaged in four or more projects. The experienced nurses indicated that nursing research in Korea is active. On the other hand, the responses of the inexperienced were that nursing research is not active. The most frequently selected research subjects were patients(76.9%, 83 respondents) followed by nurses, healthy persons and nursing students. The relatively high percentage of healthy persons as study subjects, could be explained as a concern of nurses for healthy persons as well as for ill patients. The aforememioned literature review showed a dramatic change in the kinds of study subjects; approximately 33 percent were patients but 25 percent were healthy subjects of various ages. The hospital was the prevailing research setting(67.6%) but at the same time various community settings were used. This is a changing phenomena in nursing research of Korea. Current research designed to build on previous studies amounted to 75 percent; about 39.8 percem were theory and hypothesis generated. Over 65 recommended additional research focusing on hypothesis-testing 0:' theory building. The previously quoted literature review found that only 4.0 percent of the study quescions were developed from a theoretical framework. The most frequently listed current major focus of nursmg research was stress and adaptation. Patients with cancer, pain, social support and care of the elderly were the next most frequently reported. These concerns may reflect problems associated with a technological and industrializing societyl. The most frequently identified problem was lack of clinical research. The need for replication research and research that contributes to the accumulation of nursing knowledge were found to be rare in Korean research. A need for theory testing and theory construction research was also identified. Although advanced statistical methods were often utilized in nursing research, the results were frequently considered by the interviewers not to be applicable in practice, and readers had difficulty in comprehending the findings. Even though the number of clinical nurses involved in research is increasing, it is still considered inadequate. Among 108 respondents, 83(76.9%) gave lack of time as a barrier to conducting nursing research. Over fifty percent of the respondents reported lack of funding or, personally, low confidence in research skills as barriers. The respondents offered 183 suggestions for future emphasis in nursing research. Among the 51 areas of emphasis, clinical research received the highest number and nursing intervention was next. The findings suggested that nursing research should be based on theory, be related to practice and relevant to the situation of a unique Korean culture.

  • PDF

Development of Nutritional Counseling Internet Program for Weight Reduction Using Expert System (전문가 시스템을 이용한 인터넷 체중 감량 상담 프로그램 개발)

  • 박선민;박수진;최선숙
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
    • /
    • v.30 no.5
    • /
    • pp.993-999
    • /
    • 2001
  • The purpose of the study was to develop a nutritional counseling program using expert system to assist obese people to lose weight through behavior modification in the internet. The counseling internet program for weight loss was developed by the accumulation of knowledge for dealing with eating habits and exercising behaviors into expert system tool, Knowledge Engineering Agent (KEA) by a dietitian without any help of computer expert. KEA was built based on the theory of Multiple Classification Ripple Down Rules. To accumulate knowledge into KEA, survey was performed in 150 obese people, the dietitian reviewed and consulted each survey case, and the consulted contents were learned and accumulated into KEA. Survey questionnaires were the same as those of the internet consulting program, and they included general characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle, and exercise patterns related to obesity. KEA was used for nutritional counseling of obese people after KEA had enough knowledge for weight loss based on behavior modification by the dietitian. To accumulate knowledge to KEA, the dietitian selected proper factors inferred from the survey questionnaire of each case, and added the conclusions for them. Conclusions were made for helping clients to correct bad eating behaviors and accumulate good behaviors for losing weight. When clients answered survey questionnaires in a counseling internet program, KEA gave the recommendation how to eat, to exercise and the deal with stress in a real time for each case. If KEA did not have enough knowledge for a specific case, the conclusion window wrote no conclusion and the dietitian needed to add conclusions for the case. The conclusions for the new case added to the KEA knowledge base. In conclusions, a counseling internet program for weight reduction can be used for give advices how to deal with obesity in a man-to-man way in a real time using KEA where nutritional knowledge based on behavior modification for weight loss was accumulated.

  • PDF

Study on Physical Change in the Earthen Finish Layer of Tomb Murals Due to Drying (건조에 따른 고분벽화 토양 마감층의 물리적 변화)

  • Cho, Ha-Jin;Lee, Tae-Jong;Lee, Hwa-Soo;Chung, Yong-Jae
    • Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
    • /
    • v.50 no.4
    • /
    • pp.148-165
    • /
    • 2017
  • Mural paintings drawn inside ancient tombs are very sensitive to changes in the environment such as temperature and humidity, especially the finish layer of the tomb murals differ in preservability depending on the material properties and humidity conditions. In this study, I examined the mural painting of Songsan-ri Tomb No.6, where the finish layer was made of earth, and identified the physical changes that can occur due to drying, depending on the material properties of the finish layer. I found out through particle size analysis that the finish layer of the mural painting in Songsan-ri Tomb No.6 is about 85.0wt% below silt, about 14.0wt% clay therein, mostly composed of silt and below clay. I also found out through physical property evaluation that surface change rate of samples showed the largest change at 15.5% in reproduced finish layer sample made up of bentonite, followed by 7.8% of reproduced finish layer sample made up of celadon soil, 6.3% of reproduced finish layer sample made up of loess, 6.2% of reproduced finish layer sample composed of white clay and the same order of change in appearance was confirmed in each sample consisted of soil. In addition, it showed the same trend of surface change rate, and the bentonite condition showed the largest change, in the measurement of shrinkage rate and expansion rate. The experiment shows that the finish layer composed of soil is affected by cohesion among particles according to the content of fine parts and the relationship between the agglomeration due to the content of the differentiated part and the stress due to the expansibility depending on the kind of the clay mineral etc. Therefore, it can be concluded that the physical damage occurred in the mural painting finish layer of the Songsan-ri Tomb No.6 is related to the factors such as the material characteristics of the soil and the highly humid environmental change inside the tomb.

Protective Effect of the Ethyl Acetate-fraction of Methanol Extract of Ophiophogon japonicus on Amyloid beta Peptide-induced Cytotoxicity in PC12 Cells (소엽맥문동-에틸아세테이트 분획물의 아밀로이드 베타단백질-유발 세포독성에 대한 억제 효능)

  • Moon, Ja-Young;Kim, Eun-Sook;Choi, Soo-Jin;Kim, Jin-Ik;Choi, Nack-Shik;Lee, Kyoung;Park, Woo-Jin;Choi, Young-Whan
    • Journal of Life Science
    • /
    • v.29 no.2
    • /
    • pp.173-180
    • /
    • 2019
  • Amyloid ${\beta}$-protein ($A{\beta}$) is the principal component of senile plaques characteristic of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and elicits a toxic effect on neurons in vitro and in vivo. Many environmental factors, including antioxidants and proteoglycans, modify $A{\beta}$ toxicity. It is worthwhile to isolate novel natural compounds that could prove therapeutic for patients with AD without causing detrimental side effects. In this study, we investigated the in vitro neuroprotective effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of methanol extract of Ophiophogon japonicas (OJEA fraction). We used an MTT reduction assay to detect protective effects of the OJEA fraction on $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells. We also used a cell-based ${\beta}$-secretase assay system to investigate the inhibitory effect of the OJEA fraction on ${\beta}$-secretase activity. In addition, we performed an in vitro lipid peroxidation assay to evaluate the protective effect of the OJEA fraction against oxidative stress induced by $A{\beta}_{25-35}$ in PC12 cells. The OJEA fraction had strong protective effects against $A{\beta}_{25-35}$-induced cytotoxicity to PC12 cells and was strongly inhibitory to ${\beta}$-secretase activity, which resulted in the attenuation of $A{\beta}$ generation. In addition, the OJEA fraction significantly decreased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, which is induced by the exposure of PC12 cells to $A{\beta}_{25-35}$. Our results suggested that the OJEA fraction contained active compounds exhibiting a neuroprotective effect on $A{\beta}$ toxicity.

A Study of YulGok Yi Yi's communicational I-Xue (율곡(栗谷) 이이(李珥)의 소통적(疏通的) 역학관(易學觀) 연구(硏究) - 책문(策文)을 중심(中心)으로 -)

  • Seo, Geun Sik
    • The Journal of Korean Philosophical History
    • /
    • no.25
    • /
    • pp.197-222
    • /
    • 2009
  • In this treatise, the researcher closely examined the I-Xue(易學) compiled and edited by YulGok(栗谷) with a focus on the concept, namely Communication(疏通). I-Xue(易學) compiled by YulGok(栗谷) adopted the discourses of I-Xue(易學) or changes in the Song Dynasty of ancient China, and engrafted his own logics, dubbed Liqizhimiao(理氣之妙), thereunto. In YulGok(栗谷)'s I-Xue(易學), Liqizhimiao(理氣之妙) expresses a state of exchanging information and Communication(疏通), and, at this time, Communication(疏通) encompasses not only the meaning of communication between two heterogeneous factors but also the broader meaning of Communication(疏通) that embrace the Communication(疏通) between heaven and human beings. In his theories in relation to Tiyongyiyuan(體用一源) and Heluoxiangshulun(河洛象數論), YulGok(栗谷) also applied the logic of Communication(疏通). Although YulGok(栗谷) admits the general theory that substance and function have the same source, which understands principle and phenomenon as two forms of existence, he tried to place emphasis more on the aspect of Communication(疏通) by interpreting Li(理) and Xiang(象) in terms of the issues concerned with Li(理) and Jian(踐). In his theory concerned with Magic Squares and Circles, Images and Numbers, such a standpoint is being applied likewise. By emphasizing the fact that Hetu("河圖") may turn out to be Luoshu("洛書"), and vice versa, YulGok(栗谷) stressed that there are communicative relations that are required in order to communicate ideas to one another. In YulGok(栗谷)'s I-Xue(易學), the logic of Communication(疏通) is culminated with the discourse of Tianrenjiaoyu(天人交與). YulGok(栗谷), in his book Ishuce(易數策), uses such expression as Tianrenjiaoyuzhimiao(天人交與之?), and, at this time, he used this expression bearing Liqizhimiao(理氣之妙) in mind. The reason for using the expression, such as Jiaoyu(交與), in lieu of Heyi(合一) is that YulGok(栗谷) tried to emphasize such relations as that heaven and humans are required for interrelated relationship. Tianrenjiaoyu(天人交與) is an expression to indicate the close relationship between heaven and human beings, meanwhile, however, YulGok(栗谷) puts more emphasis on human efforts than those that of heaven. The reason for introducing human as the subjective figure in the Tianrenjiaoyu(天人交與) is that YulGok(栗谷) tried to stress practical efforts of humans.

The Interrelationship between Riparian Vegetation and Hydraulic Characteristics during the 2020 Summer Extreme Flood in the Seomjin-gang River, South Korea (2020 여름 섬진강 대홍수시 하안식생과 수리 특성의 상호관계)

  • Lee, Cheolho;Lee, Keonhak;Kim, Hwirae;Baek, Donghae;Kim, Won;Kim, Daehyun;Lee, Hyunjae;Woo, Hyoseop;Cho, Kang-Hyun
    • Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
    • /
    • v.8 no.2
    • /
    • pp.79-87
    • /
    • 2021
  • Because active interactions occur among vegetation, hydrology, and geomorphology in riparian systems, any changes in one of these factors can significantly affect the other two. In this study, we evaluated these interactions at four sites (two in Gajeong and two in Hahan) along the Seomjin-gang River that was substantially devastated by an extreme flood in 2020. We examined the relationship between the riparian vegetation and the hydraulic characteristics of the flood using remote sensing, hydraulic modeling, and field surveys combined. The evaluation results showed that the floods caused a record-breaking rise of up to 43.1 m above sea level at the Yeseong-bridge stage gauge station (zero elevation 27.4 m) located between the Gajeong and Hahan sites, with the shear stress being four times higher in Hahan than in Gajeong. Additionally, the water level during the flood was estimated to be a maximum of 1 m higher depending on the location in the presence of riparian plants. Furthermore, both sites underwent extensive biological damage due to the flood, with 78-80% loss in vegetation, with preferential damage observed in large willow species, compared to Quercus acutissima. The above findings imply that all plant species exhibit different vulnerabilities towards extreme floods and do not induce similar behavior towards events causing a disturbance. In conclusion, we developed strategies for effectively managing riparian trees by minimizing flood hazards that could inevitably cause damage.

Behavior of Truss Railway Bridge Using Periodic Static and Dynamic Load Tests (주행 열차의 정적 및 동적 재하시험 계측 데이터를 이용한 트러스 철도 교량의 주기적 거동 분석)

  • Jin-Mo Kim;Geonwoo Kim;Si-Hyeong Kim;Dohyeong Kim;Dookie Kim
    • Journal of the Korea institute for structural maintenance and inspection
    • /
    • v.27 no.6
    • /
    • pp.120-129
    • /
    • 2023
  • To evaluate the vertical loads on railway bridges, conventional load tests are typically conducted. However, these tests often entail significant costs and procedural challenges. Railway conditions involve nearly identical load profiles due to standardized rail systems, which may appear straightforward in terms of load conditions. Nevertheless, this study aims to validate load tests conducted under operational train conditions by comparing the results with those obtained from conventional load tests. Additionally, static and dynamic structural behaviors are extracted from the measurement data for evaluation. To ensure the reliability of load testing, this research demonstrates feasibility through comparisons of existing measurement data with sensor attachment locations, train speeds, responses between different rail lines, tendency analysis, selection of impact coefficients, and analysis of natural frequencies. This study applies to the Dongho Railway Bridge and verifies the applicability of the proposed method. Ten operational trains and 44 sensors were deployed on the bridge to measure deformations and deflections during load test intervals, which were then compared with theoretical values. The analysis results indicate good symmetry and overlap of loads, as well as a favorable comparison between static and dynamic load test results. The maximum measured impact coefficient (0.092) was found to be lower than the theoretical impact coefficient (0.327), and the impact influence from live loads was deemed acceptable. The measured natural frequencies approximated the theoretical values, with an average of 2.393Hz compared to the calculated value of 2.415Hz. Based on these results, this paper demonstrates that for evaluating vertical loads, it is possible to measure deformations and deflections of truss railway bridges through load tests under operational train conditions without traffic control, enabling the calculation of response factors for stress adjustments.

Effect of Organizational Support Perception on Intrinsic Job Motivation : Verification of the Causal Effects of Work-Family Conflict and Work-Family Balance (조직지원인식이 내재적 직무동기에 미치는 영향 : 일-가정 갈등 및 일-가정 균형의 인과관계 효과 검증)

  • Yoo, Joon-soo;Kang, Chang-wan
    • Journal of Venture Innovation
    • /
    • v.6 no.1
    • /
    • pp.181-198
    • /
    • 2023
  • This study aims to analyze the influence of organizational support perception of workers in medical institutions on intrinsic job motivation, and to check whether there is significance in the mediating effect of work-family conflict and work-family balance factors in this process. The results of empirical analysis through the questionnaire are as follows. First, it was confirmed that organizational support recognition had a significant positive effect on work-family balance as well as intrinsic job motivation, and work-family balance had a significant positive effect on intrinsic job motivation. Second, it was confirmed that organizational support recognition had a significant negative effect on work-family conflict, but work-family conflict had no significant influence on intrinsic job motivation. Third, in order to reduce job stress for medical institution workers, it is necessary to reduce job intensity, assign appropriate workload for ability. And in order to improve manpower operation and job efficiency, Job training and staffing in the right place are needed. Fourth, in order to improve positive organizational support perception and intrinsic job motivation, It is necessary to induce long-term service by providing support and institutional devices to increase attachment to the current job and recognize organizational problems as their own problems with various incentive systems. The limitations of this study and future research directions are as follows. First, it is believed that an expanded analysis of medical institution workers nationwide by region, gender, medical institution, academic, and income will not only provide more valuable results, but also evaluate the quality of medical services. Second, it is necessary to reflect the impact of the work-life balance support system on each employee depending on the environmental uncertainty or degree of competition in the hospital to which medical institution workers belong. Third, organizational support perception will be recognized differently depending on organizational culture and organizational type, and organizational size and work characteristics, working years, and work types, so it is necessary to reflect this. Fourth, it is necessary to analyze various new personnel management techniques such as hospital's organizational structure, job design, organizational support method, motivational approach, and personnel evaluation method in line with the recent change in the government's medical institution policy and the global business environment. It is also considered important to analyze by reflecting recent and near future medical trends.

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
    • /
    • v.36 no.1
    • /
    • pp.77-96
    • /
    • 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.

  • PDF