• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.228-232
• /
• 2020

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is inflicting a brutal blow on humankind, and no corner of the world has been exempted from its wrath. This study analyzes the chief control measures and the distinctive features of the responses implemented by Korea and the United States to contain COVID-19 with the goal of extracting lessons that can be applied globally. Even though both nations reported their index cases on the same day, Korea succeeded in flattening the curve, with 10 752 cases as of April 28, 2020, whereas the outbreak skyrocketed in the United States, which had more than 1 million cases at the same time. The prudent and timely execution of control strategies enabled Korea to tame the spread of the virus, whereas the United States paid a major price for its delay, although it is too early to render a conclusive verdict. Information pertaining to the number of people infected with the virus and measures instituted by the government to control the spread of COVID-19 was retrieved from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites and press releases. Drawing lessons from both nations, it is evident that the resolution to the COVID-19 pandemic lies in the prudent usage of available resources, proactive strategic planning, public participation, transparency in information sharing, abiding by the regulations that are put into place, and how well the plan of action is implemented.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.51 no.5
• /
• pp.585-596
• /
• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore nurses' experience with caring for COVID-19 patients in a negative pressure room amid the spread of the pandemic. Methods: This study was a qualitative research, and focus group interviews were used to collect data. Three focus groups comprising 19 nurses were interviewed from February 17 to 25, 2021. All interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim with the consent of the participants. The verbatim transcripts were scrutinized using thematic analysis. Results: Two main themes emerged from the analysis: 'Struggling in an isolated space' and 'Limitations of nursing infrastructure and system'. The nurses caring for COVID-19 patients experienced anxiety and fear about the infection, physical exhaustion, emotional burnout, and a sense of duty as a nurse. They also acknowledged the lack of guidelines, increased task and burden, limitations of nursing care, and the demand for improving the limitations of the nursing system. Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate that nurses caring for COVID-19 patients encounter physical and emotional problems within the limited healthcare system. The study suggests that comprehensive interventions are needed for nurses. Furthermore, detailed guidelines, strengthening of nursing personnel, and improvements to the nursing system are vital to effectively cope with the pandemic. The government and medical institutions should be aware of the needs of nurses and what they are going through, and make efforts to improve the quality of life of healthcare workers and create a safe healthcare environment.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.21 no.12
• /
• pp.142-152
• /
• 2020

This study explores experiences of college nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants were 10 college nursing students (junior and senior years) enrolled in a university in K city. Data were collected through in-depth interviews from May 1 to June 30, 2020. The phenomenological methodology proposed by Colaizzi was applied for data analysis. We identified a total of 6 theme clusters: increased fear of an infection, feeling isolated due to the changed way of life, feeling perplexed about unexpected circumstances, inability to adapt to the sudden change in classroom instruction, feeling burdened about clinical practice, and confronting the reality as a preliminary nurse. The analyzed data revealed that subjects had numerous experiences about COVID-19. We believe there were necessity and significance to conduct this study during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. This analysis can serve as a useful resource for discussing issues related to nursing education in the post COVID-19 era.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.379-390
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data for improving the coping ability of clinical nurses by deeply analyzing and understanding the bioethics dilemma the clinical nurses experience in the COVID-19 pandemic. To understand the essence of bioethics dilemma the clinical nurses would experience in the COVID-19 pandemic, this study interviewed with a clinical nurse and then analyzed it by using Colaizzi (1978)'s phenomenological method. In the results of this study, total three theme clusters were drawn such as 'Agony to face a situation that violates the principle of respect for man's life and dignity', 'Frustration and confusion caused by the situation in which the principle of good deed and prohibition of evil deed cannot be kept', and 'Doubt about fulfilling and not fulfilling the principle of justice'. To improve the ability to cope with bioethics dilemma the clinical nurses experience in the pandemic situation based on the results of this study, it would be necessary to establish the education and policy for clinical nurses, and also to make efforts to improve the treatment of nurses.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.232-242
• /
• 2021

Purpose: This study investigated the occupational status and job stress of visiting nurses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Participants were 151 visiting nurses working in the public health services in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. The study was conducted using a structured online questionnaire. Results: The average age of the visiting nurses was 49.5 years. A occupational period was 38.4% of the participants had worked for a period of 6-10 years and 34.5% of them had worked for a period of 11 years or more. In terms of employment type, 74.8% had permanent contracts and 13.9% had fixed terms. 93.4% of nurses were working on COVID-19-related work; and 57.6% of them were working more than 50% of their work. Each visiting nurse provided health services for a total of 436.4 cases on average and the per day count was 14.3 cases. The service was provided through home visits or phone consultations. The results of the job stress were relationship conflict (60.92±20.72), job demand (59.05±14.10), job autonomy (57.83±14.63), job instability (45.25±27.37), organizational system (44.97±17.21), workplace culture (42.71±18.00), and inadequate compensation (35.29±18.14). There was a significant difference in job stress according to the proportion of COVID-19 work was 'workplace culture' (p=.023), Job autonomy (p=.053) and Inappropriate compensation(p=.054). Conclusion: In order to provide a stable working environment for visiting nurses and effective public visiting health services during unexpected circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, it is necessary to promote progressive policies and systemic improvements.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.27 no.4
• /
• pp.193-203
• /
• 2022

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of home training with app on metabolic syndrome risk factors and atherogenic index in on obese middle aged women. It was carried out to present as an intervention method for improving obesity in the pandemic era of COVID-19. The subjects of this study were 33 obese middle aged women, AHTG(n=15) and CG(n=18). Home training using the app for 8 weeks was conducted 3 times a week. The results of this study as follow, metabolic syndrome risk factors was WC(p<.001) significantly decreased, HDL-C(p<.05) significantly increased and atherogenic index was LDL-C/HDL-C(p<.01) significantly increased in the AHTG. In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, PA plays an important role in alleviating the severe COVID-19 pandemic, in addition to its ameliorating effects on several chronic diseases. The possibility of home training using an app is an effective intervention method for preventing obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Appropriate Technology
• /
• v.6 no.2
• /
• pp.226-237
• /
• 2020

As the number of reported COVID-19 cases rises around the world, regions affected by the virus are taking serious measures to contain its spread. Face shields are one of the highest-need personal protective equipment (PPE) during COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond traditional face masks, as known cases of the coronavirus soar, currently there is a significant shortage of face shields around the world. In response, the protective face shields were designed and fabricated with open-source 3D modelling software and 3D printing technology, respectively. Our face shield consisted of two parts only; a reusable 3D printed headband and a visor made of transparent plastic sheet, as barrier. The resulting 3D printed face shields are affordable, lightweight, one-size-fits-most and ready-to-wear with minimal assemblies, and go on easily over glass, goggle and face mask. To ensure being donated to the healthcare professionals without risk infected by any pathogens, the 3D printed face shields were successfully be disinfected with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI dosage of 1000 mJ/cm²) and 70% alcohol. For routine disinfection a UVGI chamber was designed and optimized to provide uniform UV-C illumination with an appreciated fluence for complete decontamination. More than 1,000 face shields were produced already and donated to the special hospitals for COVID-19 patients, quarantines, government and medical agencies in Ethiopia as well as in East-African countries. With certainty, our intention goes beyond the hospitals and other first responders, but not limited for all those who have to stay in the service or be in contact with many other people in the time of COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
• /
• v.19 no.7
• /
• pp.451-461
• /
• 2021

This study was conducted for nursing students to identify the effects of professors' teaching skills, learners' online learning readiness and major satisfaction on the online learning satisfaction after the COVID-19 pandemic. The participants recruited from nursing colleges located in five province, and data was collected using the Google Online Questionnaire from August 17th to October 5th, 2020. A total of 130 data were analyzed using the SPSS 23.0 program. As a result of this study, the factors that affect online learning satisfaction are the methods in the teaching skills (β=.43, p <.001) and self-directed learning in the online learning readiness (β=.33, p <.001), and satisfaction in nursing major (β=.21, p <.001). The results of this study suggest that education methods need to be devised to enhance the satisfaction of online learning in nursing colleges, and environmental improvements that can be self-directed learning are needed.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.52 no.1
• /
• pp.36-51
• /
• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of electroencephalogram (EEG) biofeedback training for emotion regulation and brain homeostasis on anxiety about COVID-19 infection, impulsivity, anger rumination, meta-mood, and self-regulation ability of late adolescents in the prolonged COVID-19 pandemic situation. Methods: A non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest design was used. The participants included 55 late adolescents in the experimental and control groups. The variables were evaluated using quantitative EEG at pre-post time points in the experimental group. The experimental groups received 10 sessions using the three-band protocol for five weeks. The collected data were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Wilcoxon signed-rank test, t-test and paired t-test using the SAS 9.3 program. The collected EEG data used a frequency series power spectrum analysis method through fast Fourier transform. Results: Significant differences in emotion regulation between the two groups were observed in the anxiety about COVID-19 infection (W = 585.50, p = .002), mood repair of meta-mood (W = 889.50, p = .024), self-regulation ability (t = - 5.02, p < .001), self-regulation mode (t = - 4.74, p < .001), and volitional inhibition mode (t = - 2.61, p = .012). Neurofeedback training for brain homeostasis was effected on enhanced sensory-motor rhythm (S = 177.00, p < .001) and inhibited theta (S = - 166.00, p < .001). Conclusion: The results demonstrate the potential of EEG biofeedback training as an independent nursing intervention that can markedly improve anxiety, mood-repair, and self-regulation ability for emotional distress during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.73-79
• /
• 2024

Background: Career preparation behavior is a challenge among nursing students during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nursing students' adaptation to a non-face-to-face educational environment, lack of interaction with others, and fear of infectious disease may affect career preparation behavior. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify factors that influence the career preparation behavior in the non-face-to-face educational environment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Data were collected in October 2022 from 130 nursing students from a college in City A. A total of 119 questionnaires were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, a one-way ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The findings show that major satisfaction had a significant positive correlation with career preparation behavior (r=0.56, p<0.001). Nursing professionalism showed a significant positive correlation with career preparation behavior (r=0.57, p<0.001). The factors influencing career preparation behavior included major satisfaction, nursing professionalism, and satisfaction with clinical practice. Nursing professionalism was the most influential factor (β=0.35), followed by major satisfaction (β=0.33). Together they had an explanatory power of 37%. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that nursing college students who experienced the COVID-19 pandemic should search for ways to increase their major satisfaction and nursing professionalism programs should be increased to improve career preparation behavior.