• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.393-399
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• 2019

This is a descriptive study on the perception and attitude toward DNR in adults. Structured questionnaires were used and 210 subjects were studied. In recognition of DNR, DNR was helpful for 'a comfortable dying(64.3%)'. The need for DNR in situation investigated 'For dignified dying (41.3%)' and 'to alleviate patient suffering(23.9%)'. Respondents who do not agree with DNR are shown 'Because legal issues can arise(61.7%)', 'Because human dignity is the life-sustaining priority(16.7%)'. In the attitude toward DNR, the most significant result was 'I want to know if I have an incurable disease (4.21).' There was no difference in attitudes toward DNR among adults. The DNR is not a method of Withdrawing in lifeprolonging treatment, It should be addressed in a comprehensive context in which human beings exercise autonomy over the process of dying and death.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to explore the meaning of conflicts in nurses caring DNR (do-not-resuscitate) patients. Methods: The participants were 7 nurses caring DNR patients. Data were gathered using in-depth interviews. The interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Colaizzi method was used to analyze the data. Results: The significant results can be categorized into 7 concept descriptions and 5 theme clusters by analyzing the interviews. The major theme clusters for the experiences of nurses were 'Pity about exceptional nursing actions', 'Pity about the unilateral decision making', 'Pity about halfhearted family love', 'Pity about unprepared circumstance for deathbed', and 'Pity about the absent guideline for DNR'. Conclusion: The finding of this study will help nurses resolve conflicts in caring DNR patients and provide a scientific basis for developing nursing intervention strategies for DNR patients.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.179-187
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• 2015

For patients who are near the end of life, an inevitable step is discussion of a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order, which involves patients, their family members and physicians. To discuss DNR orders, patients and family members should know the meaning of the order and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) which includes chest compression, defibrillation, medication to restart the heart, artificial ventilation, and tube insertion in the respiratory tract. And the following issues should be considered as well: patients' and their families' autonomy, futility of treatment, and the right for death with dignity. Terminal cancer patients should be informed of what futility of treatment is, such as a low survival rate of CPR, unacceptable quality of life after CPR, and an irremediable disease status. In Korea, two different law suits related to life supporting treatments had been filed, which in turn raised public interest in death with dignity. Since the 1980s, knowledge of and attitude toward DNR among physicians and the public have been improved. However, most patients are still alienated from the decision making process, and the decision is often made less than a week before death. Thus, the DNR discussion process should be improved. Early palliative care should be adopted more widely.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing Administration
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.447-458
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• 2003

Purpose: To examine the awareness and experiences of nurses and physicians on DNR. Method: The sample contained of 199 nurses and 98 physicians. The Instrument used in this study was The Nurses' Understanding and Attitude on DNR(AEDNR) developed by the Han et al and revised by the research the AEDNR included 29 items. Result: About 97.3% of them feel the necessity of DNR, Majority of subject(78.8%) have practiced DNR by the demand of 'the patient's family' and 91.8% of them made a medical record at the time they carried out DNR. There were no significant differences in their perceived necessity of DNR between nurses and physicians. Conclusion: This study can be a basis for making objective standards educational, ethical, and legal issues concerning DNR.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.118-128
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of bereavement for main family members who had made and followed DNR decision for their family members. Method: This qualitative study was based on a grounded theory, and used in-depth interview techniques with the bereaved 10 main family members who had been treated and died under DNR order. Results: The causal condition of the family member was 'Releasing', and the main consequent phenomenon were 'Blaming self and ruminating'. The contextual condition was 'The memory of the deceased'. The action/reaction strategy was 'Purifying'. The intervening condition was 'Supporting system', and the consequence was 'Acceptance'. The experience after bereavement of the family member on DNR decision were rational processes that purified themselves and healed the guilt feeling about the decision from reflective assessment and response about DNR decision. Based on this results, the substantive theory 'Reflective self healing' was derived. Conclusion: The main family members in following DNR decision are more likely to have unhealthy emotional condition than others in normal bereavement process. But they overcame the grief of bereavement through reflective self healing process.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-24
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to grasp the subjectivity of the nurses toward DNR (Do not resuscitation) order. Methods: Q methodology was employed to explore the nurses' subjectivity. Q population consisted of 292 statements that were obtained through individual in-depth interviews targeting 30 employees(nurses, doctors, staff members) and literature review. Finally, 30 nurses classified 34 statements using a 9 point scale. Results: The current survey that probed into the subjectivity of the nurses relative to DNR order abstracted four categories. The first type (restrictive acceptance type) perceived the determinants of DNR as the patient's hopeless state. The second type (evidence-based type) emphasized the decision based on the guideline. The third type (medical personnel-centered type) showed the characteristic that depends passively on the professional judgement. The fourth type (rationalistic type) emphasized rational characteristic that DNR decision needs to be made by considering several situations such as economic and psychological burden of family and the quality of life. Conclusion: These types of nurse's perception need to be considered in the nurses' continuing educational program in order to confront affirmatively and positively with ethical dilemma.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.216-222
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine nurses' emotional responses and ethical attitudes towards elderly patients' Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) decision. Methods: Data were collected using a questionnaire which was filled out by 153 nurses who worked in nursing homes and general hospitals. Data were analyzed using real numbers, percentages, means, standard deviations and Pearson's correlation coefficients with SPSS 19.0 program. Results: The average score for ethical attitudes towards the DNR decision was 2.68 out of 4. Under the ethical attitudes category, the highest score was found with a statement that said 'Although they will not perform cardiopulmonary resuscitate (CPR), it is right to do their best with other treatments for DNR Patients'. Items regarding emotional responses to the DNR decision, the average score was 2.36 out of 4. Among them, the highest score was achieved on 'I understand and sympathize'. No significant correlation was found between ethical attitudes and emotional responses in relation to patients' DNR decision (r=-0.12, P=0.13). Conclusion: Regarding elderly patients' DNR decision, nurses showed somewhat highly ethical attitudes and slightly positive emotional response. A follow-up study is needed to investigate variables that affect our results.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.93-99
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• 2017

Purpose: This study investigated changes in life-sustaining treatments in terminally ill cancer patients after consenting to a do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order. Methods: Electronic medical records were reviewed to select terminally ill cancer patients who were treated at the oncology unit of the Asan Medical Center, a tertiary hospital in South Korea and died between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2013. Results: The median (range) age of the 200 patients was 59 (22~89) years, and 62% (124 persons) were male. Among all patients, 83.5% were aware of their medical condition, and 47.0% of the patients had their DNR order signed by their spouses. The median of the patients' hospital stay was 15 days, and time from admission to DNR decision was 10 days. After signing a DNR order, 35.7~100% of the life-sustaining treatments that had been provided at the time of the DNR decision making were administered. The most commonly discontinued interventions were transfusion (13.5%), blood test (11.5%) and parenteral nutrition (8.5%). Conclusion: It is necessary to define the scope of life-sustaining treatments for DNR patients. Treatment guidelines should be established as well to secure terminal patients' death with dignity after their consent to a DNR order, thereby avoiding meaningless life-sustaining treatments and allowing administration of active terminal care interventions.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.298-309
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to describe the experiences of do-not-resuscitate (DNR) among nurses. Methods: Data were collected by in-depth interviews with 8 nurses in 8 different hospitals. Conventional qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. Results: Eight major themes emerged from the analysis: DNR decision-making bypassing the patient, inefficiency in the decision-making process of DNR, negative connotation of DNR, predominance of verbal DNR over written DNR, doubts and confusion about DNR, least amount of intervention in the decision for DNR change of focus in the care of the patient after a DNR order, and care burden of patients with DNR. Decision-making of DNR occurred between physicians and family members, not the patients themselves. Often high medical expenses were involved in choosing DNR, thus if choosing DNR it was implied the family members and health professionals as well did not try their best to help the patient. Verbal DNR permission was more popular in clinical settings. Most nurses felt guilty and depressed about the dying/death of patients with DNR. Conclusion: Clearer guidelines on DNR, which reflect a family-oriented culture, need to be established to reduce confusion and to promote involvement in the decision-making process of DNR among nurses.

• The Korean Journal of Emergency Medical Services
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.71-82
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate paramedic students' awareness and attitude toward a do not resuscitate (DNR) order and death. Methods: This research was conducted among 421 students from the Department of Emergency Medical Technology in a 4-year college located in the Chungcheong and Daejeon districts, from May 14 to 22, 2014. Data were analyzed by using IBM SPSS 21.0. Results: The mean level of attitude toward death was 2.17. The paramedic students with clinical experience showed a positive attitude toward death, of whom 72.0% answered that a DNR order is necessary. The mean level of attitude toward DNR was 2.88. The paramedic students with clinical experience showed a positive attitude toward a DNR order. They indicated that sanctity of life should be respected rather than extending ineffective treatment and that patients' decisions on DNR should be respected. The students who had more knowledge about DNR and felt the necessity of DNR had a positive attitude about death and DNR. Conclusion: Paramedic students need systematic education for proper recognition and values establishment about death and DNR.