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A Study on the Care Needs of Family-Caregivers to the Patients with Stroke (뇌졸중환자 가족의 간호요구)

  • Kim Mi-Hee
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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    • v.4 no.2
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    • pp.175-192
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    • 1997
  • The purpose of this study was to identify the care needs of family-caregivers to the patients with stroke. Subjects were 115 family-caregivers caring for the patients while they were in-patients or out-patients with stroke in two general hospitals and one oriental medicine hospital located in Seoul and Kwang-Ju. The instrument used for this study was made by the researcher on the basis of results of literature review and interviews with family-caregivers, composed of 35 items. Internal validity by calculation of cronbach's alpha with data of respondents was 0.91, which was regarded as high. The Data were analyzed by SAS program, with percentage, mean, t-test, and ANOVA. Factor structures of care needs of family-caregivers were elicited by factor analysis(PCA, Varimax rotation). Datum collection had been from July 1 to August 14, 1997. The results of this study were as follows : 1. The mean score of the sum of the care needs of family-caregivers was 3.96 and the highest-mean item was 'need for immediate care(M=4.77)', and the lowest-mean item was 'need for chaplian's visit (M=2.82)'. 2. Care needs of the family-caregivers were : Need to be informed of the disease, treatment and care ; need of education and assistance related to physical functional level ; need of social support and consultation ; need of management of nursing problem related to immobility ; need of appreciation ; need of the way to communicate with patients ; need of immediate care and help. The highest mean factor was the 'need for immediate care and help(M=4.74)', and the lowest mean factor was the 'need of appreciation(M=3.58)'. 3. The variables influencing the degree of care needs perceived by family-caregivers to the patients with stroke were as follows : There were significant differences between need to be informed of the disease, treatment and care and general characteristic factors, which were family caregiver's sex (p=.0178), caring period(p=.0223) and patient's suffering period(p=.0244). There were significant differences between need of education and assistance related to physical functional level and general characteristic factors, which were patient's paralysis(p=.0177), patient's ADL dependency(p=.0032). There were significant differences between need of social support and consultation and general characteristic factors, which were family caregiver's sex(p=.0055), occupation(p=.0159), religion(p=.0093) and patient's sex(p=.0134). There was significant difference in the degree of need of management of nursing problem related to immobility, according to the patient's ADL dependency(p=.0493). There were significant differences between need of appreciation and general characteristic factors, which were family caregiver's age(p=.0107), sex(p=.0133), and patient's age(p=.0338). There were significant differences between need of the way to communicate with patient and general characteristic factors, which were patient's paralysis(p=.0002) and aphasia(p=.0001). There were significant differences between need of immediate care and help and general characteristic factors, which were family caregiver's caring period(p=.0162) and patient's suffering period(p=.0116). 4. The mean score of patient's ADL dependency was 3. 38 and the highest-mean item was 'ascending and descending stairs(M=4.12)', and the lowest-mean item was 'drinking(M=2.60)'. There was no significant difference in the degrees of care needs related to the patient's ADL dependency. 5. The highest information source of family-caregivers was from the doctors about the disease, treatment and care(26.1%). The second highest one was from mass media(20.8%), and the third one was from the nurses. The above findings may be used as the basic data to seek more efficient way of elevating nursing practice and quality for family-caregivers to the patients with stroke.

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Elementary Students' Cognitive Conflict Through Discussion and Physical Experience in Learning of Electric Circuit (전기회로 학습에서 초등학생의 토론과 체험을 통한 인지갈등)

  • Seo, Sang-Oh;Jin, Sun-Hee;Jung, Sung-An;Kwon, Jae-Sool
    • Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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    • v.22 no.4
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    • pp.862-871
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    • 2002
  • We investigated elementary students' conceptions of the simple electric circuit using a battery, a bulb and a wire, and made comparison between the cognitive conflict through peer discussion and the cognitive conflict through physical experience. Two hundred and sixty-four sixth grade students who already had learned about the electric circuit were participated. The questionnaire to investigate the student's conceptions about simple electric circuit consisted of 5 items drawing the wire connections between a battery and a bulb to light the bulb. The students in the discussion group paired randomly with student who had different conceptions, and then each pairs discussed about their ideas freely with each other. After discussion they conducted CCLT(Cognitive Conflict Level Test) which consisted of 4 factors; recognition, interest, anxiety, reappraisal. The physical experience group conducted a task in which they connected a battery and a bulb with a wire, then conducted CCLT. The sixth graders had various misconceptions. Most students were not aware of the scope of negative battery terminal and two electric terminals of a bulb. Many students emphasized the tip of a bulb and positive battery terminal. The score of CCLT in the discussion group was higher than in the physical experience group. This results showed that discussion with peers was more effective than physical experience to arouse cognitive conflict.

A Longitudinal Trend Analysis in Scientific Knowledge Achievement Progress (초.중.고 학생들의 과학 지식 성취 수준 추이 분석을 위한 종단적 연구)

  • Kwon, Jae-Sool;Choi, Byung-Soon;Kwon, Chi-Soon;Yang, Il-Ho;Lee, Gyoung-Ho;Kim, Ji-Na
    • Journal of The Korean Association For Science Education
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    • v.19 no.2
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    • pp.185-193
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    • 1999
  • The long term trend of studensts' science achievement is a very important factor to check the effectiveness of science educational policy. However, up to date no such effort to understand the trend of Korean students' science achievement has been put into action. Recently, the Science Education Center in Korea National University of Education has been attempted to collect nation wide data for students' science achievement. The first part of the effort was to develop item pools. This study was the second part to collect nation wide data and to check any change during the two year time interval. In this study, the item pools developed by Kwon et. al.(1998) were used with some modification. The data were collected two times; February 1997 and March 1999. The subjects collected nationally were 8,766 students in 1997 and were 4,398 in 1999. The subjects were collected randomly but stratified by region and sex. As the results, the trends of achievement change during the two years were different from elementary to high school. The achievement scores were decreased in elementary schools and increased in high school. In case of middle schools, the change was not significant. However, even in elementary schools the knowledge on theory was increased significantly while knowledge on facts and principles were decreased. In contrast, the knowledge on fact showed the most increase in high schools. In this study, the data were analysed in light of region, sex, behavioral objective levels(ability) and context of test items. The science achievement monitoring system developed by the Science Education Center in Korea National University of Education can be an effective tool for monitoring students' achievement on the national level.

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Development and Evaluation of Kimchi Menus for Elementary School Food Service (초등학교 급식용 김치 메뉴 개발 및 평가)

  • Kim, Sunghye;Kim, Mi Jeong;Kim, Hyun Ju;Song, Yeong-Ok
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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    • v.42 no.7
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    • pp.1148-1156
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    • 2013
  • Studies have shown that the preference and average consumption of kimchi among youths have been decreasing partly due to the westernization of the diet. In this study, we examined kimchi consumption status and the annual utilization of 29 kimchi menus registered in the National Education Information System (NEIS) among the students, and then developed seven kimchi menus based on the preference tests and plate waste analysis. Our findings showed that average kimchi consumption by second and fifth graders during lunch time was 19.3% and 17.3%, respectively, of the recommendation (40 g per meal) in the 2010 KDRI. Incidentally, more than 75% of elementary school dieticians answered that ten kimchi menus (31%) registered in the NEIS were never chosen by them in the previous year. The least adopted types of kimchi menu included cooked rice, porridge, stew, pancake, deep-fry and grill. The newly developed kimchi menus included kimchi sauce tofu deopbap, kimchi bacon rice ball, kimchi chicken potato stew, kimchi vegetable fried noodles, kimchi meatballs, kimchi cheese croquette and kimchi potato salad. All these kimchi food items contained 10~20 g of kimchi per serving, and the standardized recipes and nutrient analysis were provided. Kimchi cheese croquette was most liked by fourth graders followed by kimchi sauce tofu deopbap, kimchi meatball and kimchi chicken potato stew in that order. These four menus were again evaluated among second and fifth graders. The kimchi meatballs were most preferred among these groups of students with no leftover but kimchi sauce tofu deopbap was least favorable, producing 17.1% of plate waste. Finally, kimchi cheese croquette and kimchi potato salad were given the highest and lowest scores, respectively, by 87 school dieticians. The findings of this study suggest that efforts on the development of kimchi menu for school food services may help to promote a preference and consumption of kimchi among elementary school students.

A Study of Korean Costume in the Collection of Overseas Museums (해외 박물관 소장 한국 복식문화재에 관한 연구)

  • 윤은재;임영자
    • Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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    • v.36
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    • pp.219-238
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    • 1998
  • For the purpose of this Study, the situation of Korean costume properties in the collection of overseas museums was investigated through correspondence, interviews with their curators and persons in charge and survey. As results were made about the situation of museum science (conservation) and practical utilization of costume properties. So, the study result were drawn as follows : Krean costume properties unexplaind of 'Korean cultural Properties' could be found in the Metropolitan Museum of Art of New York(135 pieces), the Brooklyn Museum of New York(20 pieces), the Newark Museum of New Jersey(15 pieces), and the Victoria Albert Museum of London(100 pieces). Korean costume properties in the collection of over-seas museums mostly fall under the rang of period between the 19th century and the early 20th century and are classified into everyday clothing, wedding costume and armors for the most part. In 1900s, museum in several countries began to collected Korean cultural properties through foreign missionaries or diplomats as well as merchants or travellers in who bought Korean objects. Recently, scholars, traditional Korean costume designerss and diplomatic and consular offices in overseas have donated our Korean costume to many foreign museums. Korean costume properties were largely on display in the dependent display of folklore museums or in a part of exhibition gallery for Asian culture and there were the separate exhibition rooms in museums in the United Kingdom, Germany, Denmark, Austria, Japan and the United States America. But the size and level of display room for Korean cultural properties is one third as large as that for chinese or Japanese cultual properties. It was found in this study that the traditional Korean costume in the collection of overseas museums was largely recorded only as general items rather than given their proper names. The typical example of misnaming included bridal's Kimono for Wonsam(원삼) in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Yeonroksaek-bumunsajeokori for Dangeui(당의) and Jissan-gryongwonmunsadurumagi for Kongdali(동달이) in the Okura collection of the Tokyo National Museum, and so on. And the Victoria Albert Museum modified the way of wearing Daenim(대님) and the National Museum of Ethnology in Osaka seemed to misplace the ornament of Keanggi(댕기) on Mubok(무복) and Josunjuk(조선족: Chinese-Korean) Museum also misplace hansam(한삼). On the one hand, the Newark museum of New Jersey mixed Chinese armor with the Korean one and the Photohraph of King Kojong(고종) with Chinese one. It is corrected to publish and disseminate the book concering Korean costume in order to inform foreign museums of thed proper names and wearing method of our traditional costumed. The repair of costume before cleaning in the process of conservation treatment can prevent damage likely to occur as the properties of fiber itself are weakened in liquid. It is recommended that western 8-figure stitch and tacking stitch is added to Korean traditional stitching method. Museums in the U.S.A and the U.K are concerned about the aftermath of cleaning it-self, specially conservation treatment may exert on remains and predominantly use the vacuuming method to remove dust or bits of straw before the exhibition beings. But in case of Korea, the dry cleaning and wet cleaning method are used according to the nature and state of a sample costume. This comprehensive cleaning method is gradually developing scientifically but it is expected that those concerned will make a chemical analysis of the solvent to be used and also the more precise test of costume properties will be conducted before cleaning them. A partial study was made here because the scope of study was too broad and vast. It is expected that more studies will be conducted concerning our costume culture under the long-term plan and active support at the government level.

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Structural Relationships Among Factors to Adoption of Telehealth Service (원격의료서비스 수용요인의 구조적 관계 실증연구)

  • Kim, Sung-Soo;Ryu, See-Won
    • Asia pacific journal of information systems
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.71-96
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    • 2011
  • Within the traditional medical delivery system, patients residing in medically vulnerable areas, those with body movement difficulties, and nursing facility residents have had limited access to good healthcare services. However, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) provides us with a convenient and useful means of overcoming distance and time constraints. ICT is integrated with biomedical science and technology in a way that offers a new high-quality medical service. As a result, rapid technological advancement is expected to play a pivotal role bringing about innovation in a wide range of medical service areas, such as medical management, testing, diagnosis, and treatment; offering new and improved healthcare services; and effecting dramatic changes in current medical services. The increase in aging population and chronic diseases has caused an increase in medical expenses. In response to the increasing demand for efficient healthcare services, a telehealth service based on ICT is being emphasized on a global level. Telehealth services have been implemented especially in pilot projects and system development and technological research. With the service about to be implemented in earnest, it is necessary to study its overall acceptance by consumers, which is expected to contribute to the development and activation of a variety of services. In this sense, the study aims at positively examining the structural relationship among the acceptance factors for telehealth services based on the Technology Acceptance Model (TAM). Data were collected by showing audiovisual material on telehealth services to online panels and requesting them to respond to a structured questionnaire sheet, which is known as the information acceleration method. Among the 1,165 adult respondents, 608 valid samples were finally chosen, while the remaining were excluded because of incomplete answers or allotted time overrun. In order to test the reliability and validity of the assessment scale items, we carried out reliability and factor analyses, and in order to explore the causal relation among potential variables, we conducted a structural equation modeling analysis using AMOS 7.0 and SPSS 17.0. The research outcomes are as follows. First, service quality, innovativeness of medical technology, and social influence were shown to affect perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness of the telehealth service, which was statistically significant, and the two factors had a positive impact on willingness to accept the telehealth service. In addition, social influence had a direct, significant effect on intention to use, which is paralleled by the TAM used in previous research on technology acceptance. This shows that the research model proposed in the study effectively explains the acceptance of the telehealth service. Second, the research model reveals that information privacy concerns had a insignificant impact on perceived ease of use of the telehealth service. From this, it can be gathered that the concerns over information protection and security are reduced further due to advancements in information technology compared to the initial period in the information technology industry, and thus the improvement in quality of medical services appeared to ensure that information privacy concerns did not act as a prohibiting factor in the acceptance of the telehealth service. Thus, if other factors have an enormous impact on ease of use and usefulness, concerns over these results in the initial period of technology acceptance may become irrelevant. However, it is clear that users' information privacy concerns, as other studies have revealed, is a major factor affecting technology acceptance. Thus, caution must be exercised while interpreting the result, and further study is required on the issue. Numerous information technologies with outstanding performance and innovativeness often attract few consumers. A revised bill for those urgently in need of telehealth services is about to be approved in the national assembly. As telemedicine is implemented between doctors and patients, a wide range of systems that will improve the quality of healthcare services will be designed. In this sense, the study on the consumer acceptance of telehealth services is meaningful and offers strong academic evidence. Based on the implications, it can be expected to contribute to the activation of telehealth services. Further study is needed to assess the acceptance factors for telehealth services, such as motivation to remain healthy, health care involvement, knowledge on health, and control of health-related behavior, in order to develop unique services according to the categorization of customers based on health factors. In addition, further study may focus on various theoretical cognitive behavior models other than the TAM, such as the health belief model.

A Preliminary Study on the Development of Korean Medication Algorithm for Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (한국형 주의력결핍 과잉행동장애 약물치료 알고리듬 개발을 위한 예비연구)

  • Park, Jae-Hong;Kim, Bung-Nyun;Kim, Jae-Won;Kim, Ji-Hoon;Son, Jung-Woo;Shin, Dong-Won;Shin, Yun-Mi;Yang, Su-Jin;Yoo, Hanik-K.;Yoo, Hee-Jeong;Lee, Soyoung Irene;Cheon, Keun-Ah;Hong, Hyun-Ju;Hwang, Jun-Won
    • Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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    • v.22 no.1
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    • pp.25-37
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    • 2011
  • Objectives:This study was conducted to develop a Korean algorithm of pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment strategies in attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and its specific comorbid disorders (e.g. tic disorder, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, bipolar disorder, and oppositional defiant disorder/conduct disorder). Methods:Based on a literature review and expert consensus, both paper- and web-based survey tools were developed with respect to a comprehensive range of questions. Most options were scored using a 9-point scale for rating the appropriateness of medical decisions. For the other options, the surveyed experts were asked to provide answers (e.g., duration of treatment, aver-age dosage) or check boxes to indicate their preferred answers. The survey was performed on-line in a self-administered manner. Ultimately, 49 Korean child & adolescent psychiatrists, who had been considered experts in the treatment of ADHD, vol untarily completed the questionnaire. In analyzing the responses to items rated using the 9-point scale, consensus on each option was defined as a non-random distribution of scores as determined by a chi-square test. We assigned a categorical rank (first line/preferred choice, second line/alternate choice, third line/usually inappropriate) to each option based on the 95% confidence interval around the mean rating score. Results:Specific medication strategies for key clinical situations in ADHD and its comorbid disorders were indicated and described. We organized the suggested algorithms of ADHD treatment mainly on the basis of the opinions of the Korean experts. The suggested algorithm was constructed according to the templates of the Texas Child & Adolescent medication algorithm Project (CMAP). Conclusion:We have proposed a Korean treatment algorithm for ADHD, both with and without comorbid disorders through expert consensus and a broad literature review. As the tools available for ADHD treatment evolve, this algorithm could be reorganized and modified as required to suit updated scientific and clinical research findings.

The Effects of the Change of Operating Income Disclosure Policy under K-IFRS - Evidence from KOSDAQ Market - (K-IFRS 이후 영업이익 공시정책의 변화에 대한 연구 - 코스닥 시장을 중심으로 -)

  • Baek, Jeong-Han;Choi, Jong-Seo
    • Management & Information Systems Review
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    • v.33 no.3
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    • pp.167-187
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    • 2014
  • While Korean GAAP had detailed regulations for the measurement and disclosure of operating income in the past, K-IFRS did not provide specific rules for operating income until 2011. Some firms that adopted K-IFRS before 2011 did not disclose or calculated operating income in an inconsistent manner although operating income is usually considered as one of the core information items to assess firm valuation. Inconsistency in firms' treatment of operating income invoked much criticism from diverse users of financial statement. The Korean Accounting Institute (KAI hereafter) revised the K-IFRS rules relevant to operating income in September 2010 in response to the voices raised by the business community, whereby the operating income number is allowed to be calculated in conformity with the previous K-GAAP. This study was motivated by the revision of K-IFRS and aims to provide a clue on the validity of such policy decision. To achieve the research objective, we test the relative value relevance of the alternative operating income numbers under K-IFRS versus K-GAAP. Our main findings are as follows. The value relevance of operating income reported before K-IFRS is proved to be higher than after K-IFRS. K-IFRS operating income adjusted to the previous K-GAAP has greater explanatory power for market values relative to one calculated under the K-IFRS regime. In an additional analysis, the sample was decomposed according to whether the operating income under K-IFRS is greater than under K-GAAP. The difference in the value relevance of K-IFRS versus K-GAAP operating income is significant only in the subsample consisting of firms which reports higher operating income under K-IFRS compared to K-GAAP. Also, the firms which would have reported negative operating income on a consecutive basis are more likely to have chosen K-IFRS, resulting in higher numbers than otherwise. It is likely that firms facing the threat of delisting due to consecutive operating loss reporting are more likely to have adopted K-IFRS disclosure rules by which they could report higher operating income numbers. To sum up, these results corroborate the limitation inherent in the K-IFRS regarding operating income disclosures. This paper suggests that the recent revision of K-IFRS implemented by KAI is likely to mitigate some of afore-mentioned limitations effectively.

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A Study of the Ethical Values of EMT students (응급구조과 학생의 윤리적 가치관에 관한 연구)

  • Kim, Mi-Seon
    • The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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    • v.5 no.1
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    • pp.37-51
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    • 2001
  • This study is aimed at examining the ethical values of EMT students. The results below are based on the revised questionnaires, which can be applicable to EMT from the original questionnaires developed by Lee(1990), with a sample of 124 students consisting of 63 first and 61 second year students, conducted November 2-8, 2001. Data were analyzed using SPSS in terms of means, standard deviations, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient. The results are as follows: 1. In the area of Human life, all subjects showed utilitarian disposition. All respondents perceived the item "When patients recognizing there is no hope for survival ask for euthanasia, it is ethically right to accommodate their opinions." as the most utilitarian item, whereas they perceived the item "When an hopeless patient is on cardiac arrest, it is ethically right to do CPR as the most deontoogical item. 2. In the area of patient relationship, all students of two groups took on deontoogical characteristics, but there were no statistically significant differences between two groups. All students perceived an item "EMT have to keep it secret if patients disclose their suicide intentions and ask for absolute secrecy" the most utilitarian item, whereas they perceived an item "Even though patients act and speak in a very rude manner, EMT people should do their best to provide care for patients." as the most deontoogical item. 3. In the area of task relationship, first year students perceived an item "Given time limitations, it is ethically right to give priority to the patients who can be rehabilitated over the patients who can't be fully recovered." as the most utilitarian item, whereas second year students perceived an item "Under no circumstances should any placebo be administered to patients." as the most utilitarian item. All students perceived an item "When EMT students see an unconscious person lying in the street, they have to give him/her emergency treatment." as the most deontoogical item. 4. In the area of coworker relationship, all students of two groups took on deontoogical disposition, but there were no significant differences between two groups. All students of two groups perceived an item "Suppose you are regarded as the person who would be promoted. However, you think that your coworker is more competent than you. In that case you should tell your supervisor about your coworker." as the most utilitarian item. First year students perceived an item, whereas second year students perceived an item "When you observe coworkers' misconduct at work, it is ethically right to ignore their misdeeds." as the most deontoogical item. 5. This study demonstrated that for the first year students, there is a correlational relationship between areas of human life and task relationship, and between areas of task relationship and coworker relationship, whereas for the second year students, there is a correlational relationship between areas of human life and task relationship. 6. In areas of human life and task relationship, there are significant differences according to attitudes toward EMT and attendance at ethics training sessions. In the area of coworker relationship, there are significant differences according to religion, attendance at ethics training sessions, and a code of ethics. Recommendations for future research, 1. Sample items to measure ethical values and the instrument tailored to the needs of EMT should be developed. 2. A longitudinal study to track ethical value changes according to the amount of work experience is needed. 3. A code of ethics and/or ethics training, which could apply in actual situations, should be implemented.

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Investigation on Factors Influencing the Quality of Life of Arthritis Patients (관절염환자의 삶의 질에 영향을 미치는 요인탐색)

  • Oh, Hyun Ja
    • Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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    • v.12 no.3
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    • pp.431-451
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    • 2000
  • In this paper, I will examine the variables influencing the Quality of Life of arthritis patients and present basic materials which help arthritis patients have positive thinking in life and ultimately lead a satisfactory life. The subjects for this study are 231 inpatients and outpatients with arthritis living in J and K city in Chonbug Province. For the analysis of collected data I employed the SAS program. The variables for characteristics and the quality of life were analysed by descriptive statistics, T-test and ANOVA, and the relations among variables were analysed through Pearson Correlation; the Regression method was employed to predict the factors affecting quality of life. For the validity of reliance on measuring equipment Cronbach Alpha was used. The results of the study are as follows : (1) The mean score of quality of life of arthritis patients is 3.09(5 in the maximum). The general characteristics which affect the quality of life are age(F=5.13, p=0.0006), standard of education(F=6.49, p=0.0003), marriage status(F=7.77, p=0.0005), monthly pay(F=4.37, p=0.0020), medical benefits (F=4.85, p=0.0087), and supports(F=4.39, p=0.0050). For the disease-related characteristics, there is a significant difference in the 6 items: pain control method(F=5.92, p= 0.0002), physical therapy(F=3.25, p=0.013), whethere or not patients exercise(F=4.62, p=0.0000), regularity of exercise(F=4.79, p=0.0000), frequency of exercise(F=6.29, p=0.0001), and amount of exercise(F=4.62, p=0.0043). Depending on the type of arthritis, there is also a significant difference in the degree of pain felt. The patients with infectious arthritis suffer from pain the most, followed by those with gout, rheumatism and degenerative arthritis, in that order. Although statistics don't show any convincing evidence, those with gout perceive that they are in best health condition, followed by those with rheumatism, degenerative arthritis, and infectious arthritis, in that order(F=2.23, p=0.0669). (2) The quality of life of arthritis patients is correlated positively with perceived health status(r=0.56, p=0.0001), health promoting behavior(r=0.53, p=0.0001), family support (r=0.46, p=0.0001), amount of exercise (r=0.36, p=0.0001), ADL(r=0.36, p=0.0001), HLOC(r=0.32, p=0.0001), frequency of exercise(r=0.32, p=0.0001)in that order, while correlated negatively with the degree of pain felt(r=-0.32, p=0.0001), the number of pain regions(r=-0.19, p= 0.0041), and the duration of pain(r=-0.14, p=0.0279). (3) Regression analysis reveals that the most powerful predictor of the quality of life is perceived health status, which account for 31.11%. The other predictors of the quality of life, which account for 60.22%, are health promoting behavior(16.51%), family support(3.81%), ADL(2.52%), gender(1.86%), the number of family members(1.36%), level of pain(1.24%), duration of pain (1.08%), and level of education(0.67%). The results of the study show that perceived health status and health promoting behavior are the two most important variables. However, considering that the perceived health condition is difficult to control by nursing intervention, it is suggested that the level of expectation for patients, must be decided first, and the health promoting behavior and the family support influencing the quality of life must be taken into account as targets for nursing intervention. As a way of controlling the quality of life, I think that a more comprehensive approach comprising the above important variables along with demographic and general characteristics is needed. I also suggest that we must continue to explore the variables affecting the quality of life and include those variables in nursing intervention.

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