• 한국임상약학회지
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• 제32권4호
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• pp.281-287
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• 2022

Pharmacists should maintain professional competencies to provide optimal pharmaceutical care services to patients, which can be achieved through continued commitment to lifelong learning. Traditionally continuing education (CE) has been widely used as a way of lifelong learning for many healthcare professionals. It, however, has several limitations. CE is delivered in the form of instructor-led education focused on multiple learners. Learning is passive and reactive for participants, so it sometimes does not lead to bringing behavioral changes in workplace performance. Therefore, recently the concept of lifelong learning tends to move from CE toward continuing professional development (CPD). CPD is an ongoing process that improves knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout a professional's career. It is a more comprehensive structured approach toward the enhancement of personal competencies. It emphasizes an individual's learning needs and goals and enables learning to become proactive, conscious, and self-directed. CPD consists of four stages: reflect, plan, learn, and evaluate. CE is one component of CPD. Each stage is recorded in a CPD portfolio. There are many practical difficulties in implementing the complete CPD system for lifelong learning of pharmacists in many countries including Korea. Applying a hybrid form that utilizes CPD and CE together, as in the case of some countries, could be an alternative. Furthermore, in undergraduate pharmacy education, it is necessary to teach students about CPD and train them on how to perform CPD as a pharmacist.

• 비만대사연구학술지
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.1-5
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• 2023

The importance of weight discrimination for people with obesity has been highlighted by research which has found that more than 40% of those living with obesity have experienced weight discrimination. Evidence suggests that weight bias among obese individuals puts their health at risk more than health issues caused by obesity itself. Although bias, stigma, and discrimination towards individuals living with obesity are factors that make it difficult for them to lose weight, weight bias and stigma among healthcare professionals are common, causing individuals living with obesity to avoid treatment and potentially exacerbating obesity-related health issues. The concept that one's own efforts matter contributes to stigma, discrimination, and bias. This issue will be more frequent among primary care providers treating individuals living with obesity; thus, it is important to acknowledge the issues of bias, stigma, and discrimination towards individuals living with obesity and to seek out solutions. In this review, I will discuss the concept of weight bias, stigma, and discrimination, the problems they cause, and seek solutions to weight prejudice, stigma, and discrimination.

• 여성건강간호학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.337-347
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• 2023

Purpose: Despite the health impacts of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) beginning in the early stages of life, there is little research on the perception of EDCs among Korean mothers, who are primarily responsible for protecting children. This study aimed to explore how mothers with young children perceived EDCs for their concerns, the issues they faced, and the way they dealt with them. Methods: An exploratory qualitative design was utilized. Twelve mothers who were recruited from snowball sampling participated in voluntary interviews. Individual in-depth interviews lasting approximately 47 to 60 minutes were recorded and transcribed verbatim. The data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis as suggested by Graneheim and Lundman. Results: Four categories, 10 subcategories, and 25 condensed meaning units were identified by interpreting mothers' underlying meanings. The four categories were 'Knowledgeable yet contrasting ideas regarding EDCs,' 'Negative health impact, but more so for children,' 'Inaction or trying to minimize exposure,' and 'Need for early, reliable resources and social change.' Mothers were knowledgeable about EDCs and actively needed further education and support. While they tended to focus more on the health impact of EDCs on their children and were optimistic about their health risks, paying less attention to their preventive behaviors. Conclusion: Healthcare professionals must consider mothers' perceptions of EDCs in future education and interventions regarding EDCs impact on women's life stages such as puberty, pregnancy, and childrearing. Also preventive strategies that can be applied to their daily lives are needed.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• 제37권1호
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• pp.13-25
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• 2024

Knee osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent and debilitating musculoskeletal condition that significantly affects the quality of life of millions of individuals worldwide. In recent years, cooled radiofrequency ablation (CRFA) has become a viable treatment option for knee OA. This review thoroughly evaluated the existing literature on CRFA therapy for knee OA. It delved into the mechanisms behind CRFA, evaluated its clinical efficacy, and investigated potential avenues for future research and application. The insights gained from this review are crucial for healthcare professionals, researchers, and policymakers, offering an updated perspective on CRFA's role as a viable therapeutic option for knee OA.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.488-491
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• 2023

This study aims to ascertain occupations potentially at greatest risk of exposure to SARS-CoV-2 based on pre-lockdown working conditions in France. We combined two French population-based surveys documenting workplace exposures to infectious agents, face-to-face contact with the public, and working with colleagues just before the pandemic. Then, for each 87-level standard French occupational grouping, we estimated the number and percentage of the French working population reporting these occupational exposure factors, by gender, using survey weights. As much as 40% (11 million) of all workers reported at least two exposure factors. Most of the workers concerned were in the healthcare sector. However, army/police officers, firefighters, hairdressers, teachers, cultural/sports professionals, and some manual workers were also exposed. Women were overrepresented in certain occupations with potentially higher risks of exposure such as home caregivers, childminders, and hairdressers. Our gender-stratified matrix can be used to assign prelockdown work-related exposures to cohorts implemented during the pandemic.

• 전자통신동향분석
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• 제39권4호
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• pp.54-62
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• 2024

The emergence and resurgence of novel respiratory infectious diseases since the turn of the millennium, including SARS, H1N1 flu, MERS, and COVID-19, have posed a significant global health threat. Efforts to combat these threats have involved various approaches, however, continued research and development are crucial to prepare for the possibility of emerging viruses and viral variants. Direct detection methods for viral pathogens include molecular diagnostic techniques and immunodiagnostic methods, while indirect diagnostic methods involve detecting changes in the condition of infected patients through imaging diagnostics, gas analysis, and biosignal measurement. Molecular diagnostic techniques, utilizing advanced technologies such as gene editing, are being developed to enable faster detection than traditional PCR methods, and research is underway to improve the efficiency of diagnostic devices. Diagnostic technologies for infectious diseases continue to evolve, and several key trends are expected to emerge in the future. Automation will facilitate widespread adoption of rapid and accurate diagnostics, portable diagnostic devices will enable immediate on-site diagnosis by healthcare professionals, and advancements in AI-based deep learning diagnostic models will enhance diagnostic accuracy.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• 제41권
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• pp.160-167
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• 2024

The present study employs the Delphi method to devise a consensus-based protocol for utilizing integrated acupuncture in treating medial tibial stress syndrome (MTSS). Twenty acupuncture experts contributed opinions across six key themes, including diagnosis, acupuncture points, additional Traditional Oriental Medicine modalities, treatment rationale, treatment duration/frequency, and integration of yoga/naturopathic therapies. Consensus, defined as a 70% agreement or higher, was reached on all themes, reflecting a collective acknowledgment of the necessity for a holistic approach to MTSS management. The final protocol includes six diagnostic criteria, six acupuncture points, one additional modality, two Traditional Oriental Medicine therapies, four treatment rationales, and six yoga/naturopathic therapies. The present comprehensive protocol offers valuable guidance for healthcare professionals seeking an integrated approach to MTSS management.

• Clinical Endoscopy
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.226-233
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• 2022

Background/Aims: This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a novel aerosol-exposure protection (AP) mask in preventing coronavirus disease in healthcare professionals during upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and to evaluate its clinical feasibility. Methods: In Study 1, three healthy volunteers volitionally coughed with and without the AP mask in a cleanroom. Microparticles were visualized and counted with a specific measurement system and compared with and without the AP mask. In Study 2, 30 patients underwent endoscopic resection with the AP mask covering the face, and the SpO2 was measured throughout the procedure. Results: In Study 1, the median number of microparticles in volunteers 1, 2, and 3 with and without the AP mask was 8.5 and 110.0, 7.0 and 51.5, and 8.0 and 95.0, respectively (p<0.01). Using the AP mask, microparticles were reduced by approximately 92%. The median distances of microparticle scattering without the AP mask were 60, 0, and 68 in volunteers 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In Study 2, the mean SpO2 was 96.3%, and desaturation occurred in three patients. Conclusion: The AP mask could provide protection from aerosol exposure and can be safely used for endoscopy in clinical practice.

• 대한방사선기술학회지:방사선기술과학
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• 제47권4호
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• pp.255-262
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• 2024

Although a universally accepted definition of artificial intelligence (AI) remains elusive, the terminology has gained widespread familiarity owing to its pervasive integration across diverse domains in our daily lives. The application of AI in healthcare, notably in radiographic imaging, is no longer a matter of science fiction but a reality. Consequently, AI education has emerged as an indispensable requirement for radiological technologists responsible for the field of radiology. This paper underscores this imperative and advocates for the incorporation of AI education, using the Orange platform in university radiology department as part of the solution. Furthermore, this paper presents a case study featuring machine learning analysis using structured data on exposure doses for radiation related workers and unstructured data consisting of X-ray data encompassing 69 COVID-19-infected cases and 25 individuals with normal findings. The emphasized importance of AI education for radiology professionals in this research is expected to contribute to the job stability of radiologic practitioners in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• 제35권2호
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• pp.107-118
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aims to extract and summarize the literature on the mental health status of patients with monkeypox. Methods: This review was carried out according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines using different databases and publishers such as Scopus, Sage, ScienceDirect, PubMed, BMJ, Wiley Online Library, Wolters Kluwer OVID-SP, and Google Scholar. The literature review was based on monkeypox and mental health. The year of publication was 2021-2023, during the monkeypox disease period. Data were extracted from opinions, editorials, empirical studies, and surveys. Results: Based on the literature related to the mental status of patients with monkeypox, the following themes and subthemes were identified: anxiety and depression, self-harm and suicidal tendencies, neuropsychiatric symptoms, mental health, social stigma, sex workers, vaccination, and stress-related diseases. Conclusion: A review of monkeypox virus infection studies reveals that 25%-50% of patients experience anxiety and depression due to isolation, boredom, and loneliness. Factors such as infected people, a lack of competence among healthcare professionals, and shame over physical symptoms exacerbate mental insults. The implications of society include increased self-harm, suicide, low productivity, fear of stigmatization, and transmission of infection.