• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.55-67
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This study was to test the effects of wholistic hospice nursing intervention program on pain and anxiety for in-patient of hospice palliative care unit. This study's design was one-group pre-post test quasi- experimental research. Methods: The subjects of study were 27 patients who were over 18 years old and admitted in hospice palliative care unit of S hospital in P city with agreement in hospice palliative care in their terminal disease. The experimental group subjects participated in holistic hospice nursing program took 120 minutes per session, a total of 1,200 minutes altogether for 10 sessions. The period of data collection was from April 6, 2004 to April 20, 2005. The collected data were analyzed by Paired t-test with SPSS/WIN 12.0 program. A Wholistic Hospice Nursing Intervention Program (named ‘Rainbow Program’) was used as a experimental tool in this study. This was developed by the authors. It was provided by interdisciplinary hospice team (nurses, medical doctors, social worker, pastors, art therapists, and volunteers). In addition, Korean Version of Brief Pain Inventory (BPI-K) by Young-Ho Yun(1998) was used to test degree of pain in physical aspect. And State-Anxiety Inventory was developed by Spielberger(1975) and translated by Kim, Jung-Tack & Shin, Dong-Gyun(1978) was used to test the degree of state-anxiety in emotional aspect. Results: (1) Hypothesis No. 1 "The experimental group which received Wholistic Hospice Nursing Program will have a lower degree of pain than before" was supported (t=-10.585, P= .000). (2) Hypothesis No. 2 "The experimental group which received Wholistic Hospice Nursing Program will have a lower degree of state-anxiety than before" was supported (t=-8.234, P= .000). Conclusion: Our results testified that this Wholistic Hospice Nursing Intervention Program was effective to decrease pain and state-anxiety of the in-patients of hospice palliative care unit. Therefore it can be used and applied actively in practice as a useful model of interdisciplinary team approach by hospice professionals in hospice palliative care unit.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
• /
• v.1 no.1
• /
• pp.46-69
• /
• 2001

Hospice Care is the best way to care for terminally ill patients and their family members. However most of them can not receive the appropriate hospice service because the Korean health delivery system is mainly be focussed on acutly ill patients. This study was carried out to clarify the situation of hospice in Korea and to develop a hospice care delivery system model which is appropriate in the Korean context. The theoretical framework of this study that hospice care delivery system is composed of hospice resources with personnel, facilities, etc., government and non-government hospice organization, hospice finances, hospice management and hospice delivery, was taken from the Health Delivery System of WHO(1984). Data was obtained through data analysis of litreature, interview, questionairs, visiting and Delphi Technique, from October 1998 to April 1999 involving 56 hospices, 1 hospice research center, 3 non-government hospice organizations, 20 experts who have had hospice experience for more than 3 years(mean is 9 years and 5 months) and officials or members of 3 non-government hospice organizations. There are 61 hospices in Korea. Even though hospice personnel have tried to study and to provide qualified hospice serices, there is nor any formal hospice linkage or network in Korea. This is the result of this survey made to clarify the situation of Korean hospice. Results of the study by Delphi Technique were as follows: 1.Hospice Resources: Key hospice personnel were found to be hospice coordinator, doctor, nurse, clergy, social worker, volunteers. Necessary qualifications for all personnel was that they conditions were resulted as have good health, receive hospice education and have communication skills. Education for hospice personnel is divided into (i)basic training and (ii)special education, e.g. palliative medicine course for hospice specialist or palliative care course in master degree for hospice nurse specialist. Hospice facilities could be developed by adding a living room, a space for family members, a prayer room, a church, an interview room, a kitchen, a dining room, a bath facility, a hall for music, art or work therapy, volunteers' room, garden, etc. to hospital facilities. 2.Hospice Organization: Whilst there are three non-government hospice organizations active at present, in the near future an hospice officer in the Health&Welfare Ministry plus a government Hospice body are necessary. However a non-government council to further integrate hospice development is also strongly recommended. 3.Hospice Finances: A New insurance standards, I.e. the charge for hospice care services, public information and tax reduction for donations were found suggested as methods to rise the hospice budget. 4.Hospice Management: Two divisions of hospice management/care were considered to be necessary in future. The role of the hospice officer in the Health & Welfare Ministry would be quality control of hospice teams and facilities involved/associated with hospice insurance standards. New non-government integrating councils role supporting the development of hospice care, not insurance covered. 5.Hospice delivery: Linkage&networking between hospice facilities and first, second, third level medical institutions are needed in order to provide varied and continous hospice care. Hospice Acts need to be established within the limits of medical law with regards to standards for professional staff members, educational programs, etc. The results of this study could be utilizes towards the development to two hospice care delivery system models, A and B. Model A is based on the hospital, especially the hospice unit, because in this setting is more easily available the new medical insurance for hospice care. Therefore a hospice team is organized in the hospital and may operate in the hospice unit and in the home hospice care service. After Model A is set up and operating, Model B will be the next stage, in which medical insurance cover will be extended to home hospice care service. This model(B) is also based on the hospital, but the focus of the hospital hospice unit will be moved to home hospice care which is connected by local physicians, national public health centers, community parties as like churches or volunteer groups. Model B will contribute to the care of terminally ill patients and their family members and also assist hospital administrators in cost-effectiveness.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.27-38
• /
• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare differences in spiritual needs (SNs) and factors influencing SNs between patients with progressive terminal kidney disease and their family caregivers. Methods: An explorative comparative survey was used to identify the SNs of patients (N=102) with progressive terminal kidney disease undergoing hemodialysis and their family caregivers (N=88) at a general hospital located in Seoul, South Korea. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, the independent t-test, one way analysis of variance, the Scheffe test, and multiple regression with dummy variables. Results: The SNs among family caregivers were higher than in the patient group. SNs were higher among those who were religious in both groups. Loving others was the highest-ranked subdimension in the patient group, followed in descending order by maintaining positive perspective, finding meaning, Reevaluating beliefs and life, asking "why?", receiving love and spiritual support, preparing for death, and relating to God. In the family group, the corresponding order was maintaining positive perspective, loving others, finding meaning, receiving love and spiritual support, preparing for death, relating to God, and asking "why?". The factors that had a negative influence on the level of SNs were not being religious in the patient group and having only a middle school level of education in the family group. Conclusion: The results of this study may serve as evidence that spiritual care for non-cancer patients' family caregivers should be considered as an important part of hospice and palliative care.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.19-40
• /
• 2016

This study provides numerical data on the status of music therapy practices in 54 hospice and palliative care settings in Korea. Two different questionnaires for music therapists and coordinators were sent to 54 coordinators via email, and 47 (87%) hospitals and centers replied by email or post. The survey period was October 30 through December 5, 2014. Music therapists were asked to respond to 65 questionnaire items regarding working conditions, environment, session process, and personal competence. Coordinators were asked to complete 28 questionnaire items regarding the status of music therapy in their perspective setting. Twenty-two (46.8%) hospitals and centers were running music therapy programs with 28 music therapists, and 19 (67.9%) of these music therapists majored in music therapy. There was a significant difference between music therapists (M= 3.43, SD = 0.96) and coordinators (M= 2.73, SD = 0.77) regarding conditions and environment of music therapy sessions (p < .05). The circumstances and conditions for music therapy are inad quate for optimal implementation of music therapy practice. However, the perceived benefits of music therapy by coordinators suggest that music therapists do play an important role in hospice and palliative care. This research provides the first quantitative baseline data of music therapy status in hospice and palliative care settings in Korea.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.49-59
• /
• 2000

Purpose : The study is to develop the medical information system for the hospice which can be implemented actually by considering the imitations with respect to hospice programs and hardware resources. And the ultimate goal of this study is the promotion of the hospice. Methods : The study is of qualitative research and is performed by the literature survey in related fields. And the precedent studies are taken into account also. Through these surveys, crucial items are revealed and the solutions for thorn are proposed. Results : The analysis of the hospice program shows that the MIS can be applied to the hospice with a greater efficiency. This gives the rationale that the MIS for the hospice should be set-up as soon as possible. Conclusion : In establishing the system, recommended is that the hospice model take the gradual development rather than the integrated one from the on-set stage. Further the system design should take several limitations into account to be a realistic one.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.137-143
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the family composition of terminally ill cancer patients admitted to the hospice unit and how it affects their hospice care. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the medical records of terminal cancer patients who died in one hospice unit between January 2009 and March 2014. The demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients were examined, and any different made by their marital status was evaluated. We calculated the time interval between cancer diagnosis and hospice admission and the survival period from hospice admission to death and analyzed their association with family composition. Results: When divided by the median time of 13 months between diagnosis and admission, Group B (>13 months) had a significantly higher proportion of patients living with their spouses; (P<0.01). The main decision maker was a spouse (52.9%) in Group B; (P=0.04). Conclusion: Among the characteristics of the family composition, the presence of spouse was an important factor associated with admission to a hospice unit. Clinicians need to be aware of the impact of marital status on end-of-life care. This study indicates that it is helpful to understand family composition of terminallyill cancer patients for an effective palliative and hospice care.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.78-84
• /
• 2007

Purpose: The prevalence of lung cancer is increasing continuously these days. We studied clinical characters of the terminal lung cancer patients who had died in hospice units and our study is the basic report for efficient hospice and palliative care to the lung cancer patients. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 129 terminal lung cancer patients who had died in Sam Anyang Hospice Unit from March 2003 to December 2006. The survival days during the hospice and palliative care were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method of SPSS 13.0. Results: There were 93 males (72%) and 36 females (28%), and median age of patients was 68 years (range $37{\sim}93$). Eighty two patients (64%) took analgesics, the others 47 (36%) not. The most prevalent reason for admission was dyspnea (47 patients, 36%) and it was different from the terminally ill cancer patients being hospitalized because of pain. And the most common symptom was general weakness (103 patients, 80%). One hundred twenty of the paitents (93%) were administered opioid analgesics, and IV morphine shots were mostly used (103 patients, 80%). Sedation was used in 87 patients (67%), and midazolam was mostly used (68 patients, 53%). The median survival in hospice and palliative care was 35 days and the median hospitalization was 24 days. Conclusion: It is very important to manage dyspnea in terminal lung cancer patients. The length of hospice and palliative care for the terminal lung cancer patients is still short. Therefore continuous education and promotion of hospice and palliative care is needed for an effective care for the patients, their families and doctors.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.147-154
• /
• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to understand family members' experience of deciding to withdraw life-sustaining treatments for terminally-ill patients in an unconscious state. Methods: Data were collected by performing an in-depth interview with eight terminally-ill patients' family members who decided to withdraw life-sustaining treatments. Colaizzi's phenomenological method was used for data analysis. Results: Questions were classified into 12 groups and finally into five categories. The five categories were about family members' frustration with patient's condition, emotional preparation for the patient's death upon medical professionals' recommendation, patient's wishes, exhaustion due to caring and past experiences related to life-sustaining treatment. Conclusion: Using the five categories, hospice and palliative professionals could better understand family members' decision making experience of withdrawing life-sustaining treatments for terminally-ill patients. Based on that, the family members could be provided with appropriate counseling and care, which in turn could improve hospice and palliative care intervention.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.24 no.3
• /
• pp.135-143
• /
• 2021

End-of-life patients experience physical, mental, social, and existential distress. While medical personnel provide medication and care to alleviate patients' distress, listening to and interacting with patients remains essential for understanding their psychological condition. The most important tool, though difficult to implement in practice, is end-of-life discussion (EOLD). EOLD has been shown to have positive effects on end-of-life treatment choices, achievement of patients' life goals, improvements in the quality of life of patients and their families, and the prevention of depression and complicated grief among bereaved family members. EOLD is not often undertaken in clinical practice, however, due to hesitancy among medical personnel and patients for various reasons. In order to conduct an EOLD, the patient's judgment, psychiatric illnesses such as delirium and depression, and psychological issues such as the side effects of psychotropic drugs, denial, and collusion must be evaluated. Open and honest conversation, treatment goal setting, the doctor's familiarity with the patient's background, and attentiveness when providing information are important elements for any dialogue. Meaning-centered psychotherapy was developed to alleviate the existential distress of cancer patients, and its application may promote EOLD. The future development of meaning-centered psychotherapy in practice and in research is expected to further promote EOLD.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.30-41
• /
• 2008

Purpose: This study was designed to investigate various role changes of nurses who have cared both medical cases and hospice patients and what they experienced. Methods: Focus group interviews were done 3 times and participants were 12 nurses who have worked in the hospice unit of medical ward. Results: Role changes in 4 areas such as holistic care, end-of-life care, care fur rare givers, and coordination of hospice team were reported by the participants. What they felt were as follows : fear, confusion, maturation, increasingly labor, regret, accomplishment, sympathy and depression. Conclusion: Although hospice care in general medical ward added extra tasks, it helped clinical nurses recover professional identity and led to growth of nursing by acquiring new knowledge and skill in hospice care.