• Journal of Radiation Protection and Research
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• v.46 no.1
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• pp.1-7
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• 2021

Background: The use of computed tomography (CT) device has increased in the past few decades in Japan. Dose optimization is strongly required in pediatric CT examinations, since there is concern that an unreasonably excessive medical radiation exposure might increase the risk of brain cancer and leukemia. To accelerate the process of dose optimization, continual assessment of the dose levels in actual hospitals and medical facilities is necessary. This study presents organ dose estimation using pediatric cerebral CT scans in the Kyushu region, Japan in 2012 and the web-based calculator, WAZA-ARI (https://waza-ari.nirs.qst.go.jp). Materials and Methods: We collected actual patient information and CT scan parameters from hospitals and medical facilities with more than 200 beds that perform pediatric CT in the Kyushu region, Japan through a questionnaire survey. To estimate the actual organ dose (brain dose, bone marrow dose, thyroid dose, lens dose), we divided the pediatric population into five age groups (0, 1, 5, 10, 15) based on body size, and inputted CT scan parameters into WAZA-ARI. Results and Discussion: Organ doses for each age group were obtained using WAZA-ARI. The brain dose, thyroid dose, and lens dose were the highest in the Age 0 group among the age groups, and the bone marrow and thyroid doses tended to decrease with increasing age groups. All organ doses showed differences among facilities, and this tendency was remarkable in the young group, especially in the Age 0 group. This study confirmed a difference of more than 10-fold in organ doses depending on the facility and CT scan parameters, even when the same CT device was used in the same age group. Conclusion: This study indicated that organ doses varied widely by age group, and also suggested that CT scan parameters are not optimized for children in some hospitals and medical facilities.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.6
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• pp.78-87
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• 1999

From 1990 to 1997 Home Care Education Programs have been offered at 11 Home Care Education Institutes. But there have been no revisions in the program. Especially in the clinical practicum, the Ministry of Health and Welfare proposed 248 hours as 'Family Nursing and Practice'. But each of institutes has developed their own program, and the clinical practicum is very different. Institutions for home care practice have been very limited and even now only 40 hospitals started home care in the second demonstration project. A few community-based institutions have also been offering home care services. This study was conducted to analyze home care clinical practicum offered at Y university, and plan for a revised home care clinical practicum. Y university clinical practicum was revised to include 'visits to community institutions', 'laboratory practice', 'hospital practice', 'discharge planning and home care practice', and 'home care specialty practice'. The results of the evaluation and plan for a revision are as follows: 'Visits to community institutions' is a practice that helps the students understand community resources which are available to home care nurses, and as an orientation to institutions for practice. 'Laboratory practice' is to used to improve nursing skills that are applicable to home care. Problems that the students identified in the laboratory practice were 'lack of opportunity for individual practice', and 'inadequate theoretical preparation for practice'. To address these problems the basic nursing skills laboratory was open and could be used freely by the home care students, and practice could be done after the theoretical lectures. 'Hospital practice' is a practicum in which the students apply nursing skills to patients and to obtain assessment skills for discharge planning. Using a preceptorship, five days for hospital practice should be offered. 'Discharge planning and home care practice' was done at Wonju Christian Hospital. This institute is too far away that this practice should be provided at different institutions as soon as it is possible to contract with home care institutions. Patients groups in different home care institutions are very different, so the 'Home care specialty practice' should be done after analyzing patient groups and choosing specialty areas. These areas are' care of patients with respiratory dysfunction', 'care of patients with neurologic dysfunction', 'care of cancer patients', 'care of patients on dialysis', and 'wound care'. This practice should be offered with a preceptorship, so preceptors, clinical directors, and students should meet for home visit orientation.

• Journal of Korean Academic Society of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.5
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• pp.20-31
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to develop the framework of community-based home care nursing delivery system, and to examine the validity of it. For these, home care nursing study team of College of Nursing, Seoul National University has studied home care nursing system since September, 1996, and has operated home care center since August, 1997. This study has been supported by the Korean Sience Foundation. We organized Committee of rules, and Clinical specialist consultant group for more efficient running of the home care center. In nursing station, research assistant controlled general work, and 5 home care nurses were hired for home visiting. We developed the Standards for operations, that included criteria for clients, central supply system of nursing materials, central management of nursing care cost, advertisement, patient referral system, and so forth. In our center, 108 patients enrolled, and neurologic disorders including cerebrovascular accident, and cancer were the most prevailing diseases. We tried to overcome the limitations of hopital -based home care, and to provide more accessible, efficient, safe, and stable home care nursing. Therefore, we were referred clients from patients and families, public health care center, industries, as well as from hospitals. Meanwhile, we developed home care recording system and assessment-intervention algorithm for various diseases for quality control and standardization. Also, we did continuing education, and tried to detect problems and to find solutions by regular meeting between the committee of rules and home care nurses. As the results of this study, several limitations of operation were found. First, it was difficult to manage and communicate with the doctor in the emergency situation, Second, we spent too much time for trasnsportation, because only five nurses covered all areas of Seoul and nearby cities. Third, preparation for special care of home care nurses were lacked. Forth, criteria for termination of care and frequency of home visit were ambiguous. Fifth, some difficulties were found in retrospective payment system. And finally, interconnection with home care machinery company were needed. Strategies for solving these problems were suggested.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.13-18
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of vancomycin using the compartment model dependent and compartment model independent analysis in 6 Korean normal volunteers and 8 ovarian cancer patients. Vancomycin was administered 1.0 g bolus by IV infusion over 60 minutes. The elimination rate constant ($\beta$), volume of distribution (Vd), total body clearance (CLt), and area under the plasma level-time curve (AUC) of vancomycin in normal volunteers using the compartment model dependent analysis were $0.150\pm0.030\;hr^{-1},\;32.9\pm2.81\;L/kg,\;5.36\pm0.63\;L/hr,\;and\;186.5\pm20.5\;{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}hr$, respectively. The $\beta$, Vd, CLt, and AUC of vancomycin in ovarian cancer patients using the compartment model dependent analysis were $0.109\;0.008\;hr^{-1},\;41.5\pm3.01\;L/kg,\;4.58\pm0.57\;L/hr\;and\;218.3\pm22.9\;{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}hr$, respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05,\;p<0.01) in $\beta$, Vd, CLt, and AUC between normal volunteers and ovarian cancer patients. The elimination rate constant (Kel), CLt, and AUC of vancomycin in normal volunteers using the compartment model independent analysis were $0.152\pm0.022\;hr^{-1},\;5.77\pm0.75\;L/hr,\;and\;173.2\pm22.5;{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}hr$, respectively. The Kel, CLt, and AUC of vancomycin in ovarian cancer patients using the compartment model independent analysis were $0.126\pm0.012\;hr^{-1},\;4.96\pm0.55\;L/hr,\;and\;201.7\pm25.6;{\mu}g/ml{\cdot}hr$, respectively. There were significant differences (p<0.05, p<0.01) in Kel, CLt, and AUC between normal volunteers and ovarian cancer patients. And also, there was significant difference (p<0.05) in Kel of vancomycin in ovarian cancer patients between the compartment model dependent and independen analysis. It is necessary for effective dosage regimen of vancomycin in ovarian cancer patient to use these population parameters.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.9
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• pp.374-383
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• 2018

This study was conducted to compare the unmet needs and quality of life of permanent and temporary ostomates. The research subjects were 128 ostomates with colorectal cancer or other advanced cancers. Data were collected by self-reported completion of the Comprehensive Needs Assessment Tool in Cancer (CNAT) and the City of Hope Quality of Life (COH-QOL) Ostomy Questionnaire from February 1 to April 5, 2018. Collected data were analyzed by chi-squared and independent t-tests using IBM SPSS 21.0. The results showed that the unmet need for temporary ostomates was significantly higher than that of permanent ostomates (t=-2.284, P=0.024). Moreover, temporary ostomates showed a higher unmet need for information and education (t=-2.747, p=0.007), psychological problems (t=-2.578, p=0.011), and physicians (t=-2.599, p=0.010). Although quality of life of temporary ostomates seems lower than that of permanent ostomates, there was no significant difference between groups (t=-1.364, P=0.0175). Therefore, it is necessary to develop a self-management program to provide appropriate information and psychological support for temporary ostomates.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.11
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• pp.499-509
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• 2016

This study was undertaken to investigate the factors that influence post-traumatic growth in patients with breast cancer. The study subjects were 100 outpatients with breast cancer who visited the outpatient clinic of a university hospital. The instruments used for this study were Korean Post-traumatic Inventory (K-PTGI), Modified Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey (mMOS-SS), Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Management of Breast Cancer (SESSM-B) and Cancer Coping Questionnaire (CCQ). The data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Pearson-correlation coefficient, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS/WIN 21.0. The mean score of post-traumatic growth was $3.4{\pm}0.9$ out of 5. Post traumatic growth had statistically significant correlation with social support, breast cancer self-management self-efficacy, and coping behavior. In stepwise multiple regression analysis, post-traumatic growth was significantly influenced by therapeutic compliance related self-efficacy and positive reframing coping behavior and it was account for 29% of the total variance. These results suggest that these influencing factors should be considered in developing the nursing intervention to improve the post-traumatic growth in patient with breast cancer.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.67-80
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• 1999

This study was designed to provide the basic data of nursing intervention for alleviation of effective adjustment of cancer patients by identifying the correlation between the spiritual well-being and family support. The subjects for this study were 69 patients who were diagnosed as cancer and were admitted to a university hospital in Pusan. Data were collected during the period between December 1, 1998 and January 20, 1999 by interviewing with questionnaires. Family support questionnaire consisted of 11 questions answerable on a 5 point Likert scale developed by Kang Hyun Suk(1985). Spiritual well-being questionnaire consisted of 20 questions answerable on a 4 point Likert scale modified by Kang Jeong Ho(1996). The data were analyzed by in descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation coefficient, t-test and ANOVA using SPSS/WIN program. The results of this study were as follows. 1. The mean score for family support in cancer patients was 49.48, which indicated that cancer patients perceived their state of family support as high level. The mean score for spiritual well-being in cancer patients was 55.87, which indicated that cancer patients perceived their state of spiritual well-being as moderate level. Among the components of spiritual well-being, the mean score for religious well-being was 26.94 and for existential well-being 28.93. From the above, the mean score for existential well-being was higher than that of religious well-being. 2. There were statistically significant differences in family support according to the types of primary caregivers(F=3.48, p=0.008). The spouse caregiver showed the highest family support among the caregivers. There were statistically significant differences in spiritual well-being according to the job(F=2.20, p=0.046) and the level of perceived health status(F=2.71, p=0.05). There were statistically significant differences in religious well-being according to the religion(F=2.42, p=0.004) and the number of family members(F=3.38, p=0.040). And there were statistically significant differences in existential well-being according to the job(F=2.48, p=0.026) and the level of perceived health status(F=2.74, p=0.048). 3. There were positive correlation between spiritual well-being and the family support(r=0.481, p=0.000), between religious well-being and family support(r=0.336, p=0.008) and existential well-being and family support(r=0.519, p=0.000).

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.179-183
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• 2016

Breast cancer is the most prevalent type of cancer among women around the world, and mortality is primarily caused by micro-metastatic disease. The complex mechanisms of breast cancer invasion and metastasis are intrinsically related to the malignant cell type so that early detection of micro-metastases can help prolongation of survival for patient. The aim of the present research work was evaluation of the expression status of mammoglobin protein as a candidate molecular marker in the negative sentinel lymph node (SLN). Fifty tumor specimens, and 50 normal adjacent breast tissue samples from the same patients were selected on the basis of having more than 10% tumor content for RNA extraction from SLNs. Tumor samples and normal adjacent breast tissue were archived in the form of frozen fresh tissue in liquid nitrogen. Real-time PCR was performed on a Bioner life express gradient thermal cycler system. Mammoglobin gene overexpression in breast cancer metastasis was investigated. Single marker results were mammaglobin 66.7% and CK19 50.0%, with 58.3% for the two in combination. Due to improved outcome with at least 3 genes (83.3%), it seems, triple marker evaluation will be most likely useful for detecting micro-metastases instead of studying separate genes.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.sup3
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• pp.167-174
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• 2016

One of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in breast cancer patients is delay in seeking help. Leventhal's self-regulation model provides an appropriate framework to assess delay in seeking help. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between "illness perception" and "help seeking delay" in breast cancer patients based on Leventhal's self-regulation model. In this correlational descriptive study with convenience sampling conducted in 2013, participants were 120 women with breast cancer who were diagnosed in the last year and referred to chemotherapy and radiotherapy centers in Rasht, Iran. Data collection scales included demographic data, Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ-R)and a researcher made questionnaire to measure the delay in seeking help. Pre-hospital delay (help seeking delay) was evaluated in 3 phases (assessment, disease, behavior). The data were analyzed using SPSS-19. The mean (SD) age calculated for the patients was $47.3{\pm}10.2$. Some 43% of the patients had a high school or higher education level and 82% were married. The "pre-hospital delay" was reported ${\geq}3months$. Logistic regression analysis showed that none of the illness perception components were correlated with appraisal and behavioral delay phases. In the illness delay phase, "time line" (p-value =0.04) and "risk factors"(p-value=0.03) had significant effects on reducing and "psychological attributions" had significant effects on increasing the delay (p-value =0.01). "Illness coherence" was correlated with decreased pre-hospital patient delay (p-value<0.01). Women's perceptions of breast cancer influences delay in seeking help. In addition to verifying the validity of Leventhal's self-regulation model in explaining delay in seeking help, the results signify the importance of the "illness delay phase" (decision to seek help) and educational interventions-counseling for women in the community.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.116-129
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the knowledge, caregiving performance, stress levels, and mental health of family caregivers of terminal cancer patients with delirium, insofar as these characteristics are relevant for delirium. Methods: Between May 1, 2019, and June 1, 2020, 96 family caregivers of terminal cancer patients with delirium completed a structured survey, the results of which were analyzed. Results: The average correct answer rate for delirium-related knowledge was 53.2% across all subcategories, which included knowledge of causes (41.5%), symptoms (65.4%), and caregiving (51.7%). The average score for family caregivers' performance of caregiving for delirium was 2.60±0.5, with subcategories including caregiving for patients without delirium (2.16±0.95), caregiving for patients with delirium (2.84±1.01), and stress related to caregiving for delirium (39.88±16.55), as well as categories such as patient-related caregiving (44.32±28.98), duty-related caregiving (44.21±30.15), and interpersonal relationship-related caregiving (22.35±25.03). For mental health, the average score among family caregivers was 1.96±0.70, with the highest score being for the category of additional items (2.28±0.84). Family caregivers of patients with hyperactive delirium as the delirium subtype had higher scores for caregiving performance than caregivers of patients with mixed delirium. Conclusion: Scores for the delirium-related knowledge and caregiving performance of family caregivers were low, while their caregiving stress levels were high due to their lack of knowledge and experience. This indicates the importance of delirium-related education for family members of patients with delirium and the necessity of developing nursing intervention programs to help manage stress and promote mental health among family caregivers.