• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7321-7326
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• 2014

Background: Sexual health and function frequently are overlooked by healthcare professionals despite being identified as an essential aspect of patient care. Patients with cancer have identified sexuality issues as being of equal importance to other quality-of-life issues. Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the views and attitudes of oncology nurses caring for cancer patients regarding sexual counseling. Participants and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted on the web site of the Turkish Oncology Nurses Association. With the participation of 87 nurses from oncology departments, the study determined that most nurses do not evaluate and counsel patients regarding their sexual problems and many difficulties prevent them from focussing on sexual health. The most important reasons for ignoring sexual counseling were the absence of routine regarding sexual counseling in oncology departments, the belief that the patient may become ashamed and the nurses' self-evaluation that they have insufficient skills and education to counsel in this subject. Conclusions: The most important variables in sexual evaluation and counseling are long years of service in the profession and a postgraduate degree.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.314-323
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• 2001

Purpose : Complementary and alternative therapies(CAT) are defined as those treatments and healthcare practices not taught widely in medical schools, not generally used in hospitals, and not usually reimbursed by health care insurance. Recently, CAT have become increasingly popular with health care consumers and health care professionals. This study investigated nurses' perceptions and experiences with CAT. Method: 124 nurses who were working in university hospitals in Seoul and Inchon were randomly selected as participants for this study. They answered open and closed questionnaires on their Perceptions and experiences with CAT. Results: Most of the subjects recognized the existence of CAT (86.3%), and expected a treatment effect from CAT when it is combined with conventional therapy (84.7%). Nurses accepted CAT positively as complement for conventional therapy and useful modalities of psychological support when its effects have been proven scientifically. Forty nurses (32.3%) had learned CAT including soojichim, aroma therapy, relaxation, meditation, music therapy, massage, and acupressure. Eight nurses (6.5%) used CAT with patients including soojichim, hand massage, relaxation, and music therapy. Conclusion: In spite of the nurses' positive perceptions of CAT, the nurses' professional experiences were quite limited. Nurses need authorized training programs and continuing education opportunities in CAT. This would increase their ability to use CAT. But to improve scientific knowledge more evidence based research is.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.7-10
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• 2018

Rare diseases are life threatening or chronically debilitating diseases with a low prevalence (less than 2,000 people in a population), which includes lysosomal storage diseases. These diseases are often seen as unimportant especially in developing countries, such as Indonesia, due to small number of patients. National Rare Disease Center in Indonesia was pioneered almost 20 years ago and officially established in 2017 by the Indonesian Minister of Health. Lysosomal storage disease become the most commonly found inborn errors of metabolism (IEM) in Indonesia due to easily accessible diagnostic facilities. Currently there are 7 patients receiving ERT in this mixed-donation scheme, one patient with Gaucher disease and 6 patients with MPS type II. Few challenges for ERT in Indonesia include importation through special access scheme, preparation of ERT infusion in intensive care settting, and cost of treatment. Even with limited resources, healthcare professionals in Indonesia have been giving the best care possible for rare disease patients, especially to provide diagnostic facilities through collaboration and treatment options for treatable rare diseases. Improvements in care for rare disease patients are still needed.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2016

Hospice palliative care (HPC) in Korea has developed steadily since its introduction in 1965. Currently, HPC in Korea is targeted only towards terminal cancer patients and their families, and the national health insurance scheme covers only inpatient hospice care for said patients. In recent years, healthcare professionals and policy makers began to recognize the need for HPC services in diverse settings including outside hospital boundaries, and for all terminally-ill patients. A law on HPC passed in January 2016 allows terminally-ill patients to refuse life-sustaining treatments, and will likely facilitate further development of HPC services. It is critical for the government and all interested parties in the medical, academic and social sectors to collaborate to ensure its success once it takes effect in 2017. This article will briefly review the half-century history of HPC in Korea, and discuss how to prepare for and cope with death and, thereby, improve the quality of death.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.315-324
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• 2016

Underserved area is a region that has a lack of healthcare resources. In the context of Korea, however, there are not enough detailed criteria for underserved areas. In this study, we aimed to develop indicators for underserved area through Delphi technique. We systematically reviewed the existing measure of underserved area. Sixty indicators were extracted as candidates across four domains in secondary medical care. Four domains are demand, medical resource, quality of care, and health outcome. To develop indicator, two round Delphi survey was conducted among 15 professional experts such as professionals and public administrators. In conclusion, 2 final indicators (accessibility, medical utilization) was determined as an appropriate measure in order to designate underserved area for secondary medical services. Using our criteria from Delphi technique, 36 areas were found as underserved areas for the secondary medical care.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.60-67
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to examine the importance of health promotion behavior for infants and toddlers as perceived by mothers of children in early childhood, and graduate students in nursing and to provide information for health promotion in early childhood. Methods: This study was a cross-sectional survey research study. The participants were 91 mothers of children in early childhood, and 115 graduate students in nursing. Results: The comparisons showed that graduate students in nursing reported higher perception of the importance health promotion behavior for infants and toddlers than did the mothers. In health promotion behavior, the highest score was in the category of safety. Conclusion: Providing information by nurses is necessary to promote health promotion behavior for mothers of children in early childhood. Therefore, it is important for healthcare professionals to develop effective programs for these mothers who want to promote good health promotion behavior in their children.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.11-17
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• 2009

This paper treats with transitional development of medico-hygienical situation in district Yanbian along with the evolution in specific field of medicine. This work is particularly important in shaping TKM identity as TCM embraces Chao medicine asserting it as one included in TCM. This research deals with themes of migration of Chao minorities to this territory and their medico-hygienical situation. Lifted bans on immigration in late Qing dynasty with uncertainty of Korea(Chosun) triggered the immigration to this district. The flow was heavily strengthened under the influence of Westerners and Japanese imperialism into china which consequently provoked the ruin of Qing dynasty, the civil war between republicans and communist and the socio-political changes in Korea. As population growths, the establishment of hospitals and immigration of healthcare professionals were also increased. Though this district is located in Chinese mainland the influence of Japanese was also relevant which lead to medical practice reflecting both sides. Mutual combination and influence of western(contemporary) medicine, TCM and TKM practices made the particularity of Chao medicine.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.27-36
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• 2013

Purpose: Self-care behavior is a key dimension of healthcare quality among elderlys with diabetes mellitus. The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with self-care behaviors related to insulin therapy among elders with diabetes mellitus. Methods: The research was a cross-sectional, descriptive design using questionnaires. The participants were 147 older adult patients with diabetes mellitus receiving insulin therapy. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression with SPSS statistics 19.0 program. Results: Participants' self-care behaviors related to insulin therapy were not adequate. Stepwise multiple regression analysis for self-care behaviors related to insulin therapy revealed that the most powerful predictor was self-efficacy. Self-efficacy, family support and frequency of blood sugar test explained 54.4% of the variance in self-care behaviors related to insulin therapy. Conclusion: The results indicate a need to promote self-efficacy, family support and frequency of blood sugar testing with these participants. In addition, strategies to improve self-care behaviors among elderly patients should be considered by health professionals, family members and the elderly patients themselves.

• Gut and Liver
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.615-622
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• 2018

Despite the well-proven, safe and effective therapies for hepatitis B infection, delivery of treatment remains a significant challenge in resource-poor settings. Geopolitical and economic restrictions present additional difficulties in providing care in North Korea. However, treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis B remains a top priority for both the North Korean Ministry of Public Health and international agencies working in North Korean hepatitis healthcare facilities. Working in partnership, a path was created to institute this much-needed program. A consortium of United States and Australian humanitarian non-governmental organizations along with generous individual and corporate donors working in concert with local and national health authorities have succeeded in establishing the first hepatitis B treatment program in North Korea. The essential elements of this program include renovation of existing hepatitis hospitals, access to antiviral medications, establishment of laboratory facilities, creation of medical documentation and record-keeping, training of local health care professionals, and quarterly visits by international volunteer physicians and laboratory experts. Management and treatment decisions are made bilaterally. To date, nearly 1,500 patients have been evaluated, and over 800 have been started on long-term antiviral therapy. It is envisioned that this program will eventually be managed and funded by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Ministry of Public Health. This program's success demonstrates a potential model for delivery of antiviral therapy for patients suffering from hepatitis B in other developing countries.

• Korean Journal of Occupational Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.104-113
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting general hospital nurses' intention to stay in their jobs. Methods: A descriptive research design was used with a convenience sample of 286 nurses. Data were collected from March 15 to April 14, 2017using self-reported questionnaires and analyzed by descriptive statistics, t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. Results: The mean scores for intention to stay, resilience, and emotional labor were 5.28 out of 8, 57.40 out of 100, and 3.23 out of 5, respectively. Intention to stay was positively correlated with overall career (r=.30), workplace (r=.18), shift work (r=-.20), position (r=.28), salary (r=.13), job satisfaction (r=.51), hospital satisfaction (r=.46), and resilience (r=.41). Factors influencing the intention to stay were job satisfaction and resilience, which explained 28% of the variance. Conclusion: Overall career, job satisfaction, and resilience are critical factors affecting general hospital nurses' intention to stay. Based on the findings of this study, efforts to improve nurses' job satisfaction and resilience should be implemented to mitigate the loss of this expert group among healthcare professionals.