• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2011

Recent advances in techniques and strategies use to detect cancer in its early stages and to treat it effectively has the survival rate of cancer patients and the number of long-term cancer survivors continually increasing. Unfortunately, many cancer survivors are at risk for various late and long-term effects of cancer treatments including the radiotherapy. Long-term cancer survivors can be also seen for a hospice and palliative care because of cancer recurrence and they are at risk of delayed reactions to radiotherapy. So, the understanding and knowledge of radiation reactions is required for the proper medical diagnosis, management, and coordination of the potential reactions that may occur in these care setting. In effort to increase the survival rate in cancer patients and to decrease the adverse effects of cancer treatment, many clinical studies have been and continue to be conducted. The efforts of these studies have thus resulted in the advancement of cancer treatments. Regrettably, the overall interest in how to manage adverse effects of cancer treatment such as radiotherapy appears seemingly low in clinical practice and its advanced studies as a whole are delayed and deficient. It is imperative that the medical community show an enthusiastic interest in the aftercare of cancer patients and cancer survivors in order to create a complementary integrative approach that will eliminate radiotherapy related pain/discomfort or illness in hospice and palliative care settings.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.43-52
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to analyze the affecting factors related to cancer screening for persons with disabilities. Methods: We examined the factors affecting cancer screening in individual aged older than 20 years who participated in the 2017 National Survey of the Disabled. The subjects were 6031 individuals with disabilities who were aged older than 20 years. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS Win 21.0 software. Results: Cancer screening among persons with disabilities is differentiated based on age, education level, marital status, type of disability, grade of disability, subjective house economic status, health insurance, chronic disease, unmet healthcare needs, suicidal thinking, and health screening. The significant predictors of health screening were age, marital status, chronic disease, and health screening. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, it is necessary to develop a program for young, medical care recipients to improve the participations of disabled in cancer screening.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.786-800
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• 1998

The purposes of this study were to describe systemically 18 years of oncology nursing research in Korea and suggest it's direction in future. 149 nursing studies published from 1980 to 1998 were selected for the present study. There were examined the source and the design of study, type of subjects, measurement variables, the intervention outcome of experimental research, and theme of qualitative research. The results were as follows : 1. 121 of 149 studies were composed of master thesis and dissertation of graduate school. There were 55 correlations, 30 descriptions, 19 comparisons, 19 qualitative studies and 2 Q-methods as the type of research design. 2. Cancer patients without describing specified diagnosis as subjects' characteristic were 44 of total studies. The others had various diagnoses such as gastric cancer, uterine cancer, breast cancer, leukemia, lymphoma, colorectal cancer, and lung cancer. According to treatment type, patients receiving chemotherapy were the highest number distribution as 53 of all researches. 3. Most measurement instruments used for research were translated it into Korean that developed by foreigners, such as Zung's depression, Spielberg's anxiety, and Wallston's locus of control. 4. Quality of life was shown the most frequently among correlational researches. the next one was depression, the third was hope, and so on. 5. There was the most frequent comparison between cancer and non-cancer patients in comparative researches. It was surveyed those variables as diet habits, risk factors, stressful life events, anxiety and depression, and self-care capacity between two groups. 6. The subjects were mostly chemotherapy patients as 15 of 24 experimental studies. Oral care and education were respectively the highest experimental interventions. 7. Qualitative researches about cancer were reported since 1991. Their themes were illness experience, adaptation process, dying experience, family experience, hope, caring, experience of health behavior, meaning of chemotherapy and experience of cancer survivor. Phenomenologic methodology was designed above 50% of qualitative researches. According to the above findings, cancer research had increased since 1990 and done mostly by descriptive design but a few experimental studies. As recommendations for the future, It is necessary to study the comparison of oncology nursing research internationally, the replication to establish the effect of nursing intervention, and the family care of cancer patient.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.73-77
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• 2013

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are top priorities for cancer control in Korea. In terms of epidemiological, population-health and economic burden, GI cancers such as stomach, liver and colorectal cancers have been top four cancers in the nation during the past decade and this trend is likely to continue in the near future. In order to reduce the great burden of GI cancer in Korea, the nation might need the following strategies: (1) to put more focus on primary prevention on infection/diet and related research; (2) to improve screening rates for colorectal and stomach cancers, and conduct more cost-effectiveness analysis of these screening programs, e.g., Fecal Occult Blood Test vs. colonoscopy; (3) to establish a more consistent and integrative cost-effectiveness analysis system for new cancer treatments and anticancer drugs; and (4) to place more emphasis on hospice and other palliative care of GI cancer, as well as on the etiology, staging and treatment of pancreas cancer with its poor survival rate.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.105-116
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• 2019

Purpose: Pediatric palliative care (PPC) is emphasized as standard care for children with life-limiting conditions to improve the quality of life. In Korea, a government-funded pilot program was launched only in July 2018. Given that, this study examined various PPC delivery models in other countries to refine the PPC model in Korea. Methods: Target countries were selected based on the level of PPC provided there: the United Kingdom, the United States, Japan, and Singapore. Relevant literature, websites, and consultations from specialists were analyzed by the integrative review method. Literature search was conducted in PubMed, Google, and Google Scholar, focusing publications since 1990, and on-site visits were conducted to ensure reliability. Analysis was performed on each country's process to develop its PPC scheme, policy, funding model, target population, delivery system, and quality assurance. Results: In the United Kingdom, community-based free-standing facilities work closely with primary care and exchange advice and referrals with specialized PPC consult teams of children's hospitals. In the United States, hospital-based specialized PPC consult teams set up networks with hospice agencies and home healthcare agencies and provide PPC by designating care coordinators. In Japan, palliative care is provided through several services such as palliative care for cancer patients, home care for technology-dependent patients, other support services for children with disabilities and/or chronic conditions. In Singapore, a home-based PPC association plays a pivotal role in providing PPC by taking advantage of geographic accessibility and cooperating with tertiary hospitals. Conclusion: It is warranted to identify unmet needs and establish an appropriate PPD model to provide need-based individualized care and optimize PPC in South Korea.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.85-94
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• 2017

Objectives: To explore experiences of treatment-related side effects and supportive care among Korean breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Focus group interview was conducted with six Korean women with breast cancer. Participants were recruited through snow-balling. Interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo-11 was used to code the data into themes. Results: Two major themes were identified: (1) experiences of Western medicine, including treatment, side effects, needs and costs; (2) experiences of supportive care with Korean medicine, including the same as above. All participants experienced Western medicine in treatment phase and reported impairment of physical, emotional, and social functioning during and after Western medicine treatment. Only three participants used Korean medicine after treatments end. The negative responses from Western medicine doctors were the most important factor keeping participants from accessing Korean medicine when treatment-related side effects occurred. For this reason, some participants used Korean medicine without disclosure. Participants usually acquired information about Korean medicine from online community or other BCS, which was another important factor because it raised concerns about side effects and credibility of Korean medicine. High cost was also reported as barrier in using Korean medicine. During the cancer treatment, participants tended to endure their treatment-related side effects. Conclusions: Korean BCS may be at high risk of physical or emotional distress during treatment period. Findings suggest that there is a high need for supportive care to relieve treatment-related side effects and improve patients' quality-of-life. Furthermore, developing a systematic guidance or credible information sources should be warranted to help patients find the best supportive care options including Korean medicine.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2016

Radiation therapy is an effective modality to alleviate cancer-related symptoms. To deliver radiation accurately, it is essential to secure stability of the treatment position in patients during each treatment time. However, some patients could be less cooperative due to their psychoemotional issues. We present two cases of terminal-stage cancer patients who were initially unable to lie still on the treatment table before simulation. A relaxation technique was taught to them on the bed, and they could relax and undergo radiation therapy with effective symptom relief.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.22-25
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• 2023

Although most patients prefer dying at home, patients whose condition rapidly becomes critical need care in the intensive care unit (ICU), and it is rare for them to die at home with their families. Therefore, interest in hospice and palliative care for patients in the ICU is increasing. Hospice and palliative care (PC) is necessary for all patients with life-threatening diseases. The following patients need palliative care in the ICU: patients with chronic critical illnesses who need tracheostomy, percutaneous gastrostomy tube, and extracorporeal life support; patients aged 80 years or older; stage 4 cancer patients; patients with specific acute diseases with a poor prognosis (e.g., anoxic brain injury and intracerebral hemorrhage requiring mechanical ventilation); and patients for whom the attending physician expects a poor prognosis. There are two PC models-a consultative model and an integrative model-in the ICU setting. Since these two models have advantages and disadvantages, it is necessary to apply the model that best fits each hospital's circumstances. Furthermore, interdisciplinary decision-making between the ICU care team and PC specialists should be strengthened to increase the provision of hospice and palliative care services for patients expected to have poor outcomes and their families.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.112-121
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• 2003

The purpose of these study was to analyze the contents and trend of researches done on oncology nursing in the past five years in Korea and to suggest its direction for the future research. Methods: 214 nursing studies published from 1998 to 2003 were selected for the analysis. They were examined for the source, design of study, type of subjects, the intervention outcomes of experimental research, the key words and theme of the oncology research. Results: 1. 139(64.9%) of 214 studies were masters thesis and doctoral dissertations. There were 196(91.6%) quantitative researches and 18 qualitative researches. Quantitative research consisted of 28(14.3%) experimental and 168(85.7%) non- experimental studies. Among non-experimental studies, there were 53 correlations, 78 descriptives, 14 comparatives and 23 methodological studies. 2.The main subjects of the study were cancer patients in general(43.7%) and breast cancer patients (18.3%). According to the treatment types, patients receiving chemotherapy were the highest number distribution as 23 of all researches. 3. Social support, fatigue, stress, hope, and quality of life were the most frequently used concepts in correlational studies.4. Education, providing information, oral care, exercise, relaxation and foot massage were the most frequent nursing interventions. Most frequently measured outcomes variable were self-care, pain control, nausea & vomiting, oral discomfort and anxiety. 5. Key words used most frequently were quality of life, educational need, pain controls and fatigue. 6. The themes of qualitative researches were illness experience, family experience and adaptation process. More than 50% of qualitative researches used phenomenologic method. Conclusion: Researches on cancer nursing in Korea have been increased. Descriptive design is being dominant and few experimental studies are being done For the future, it is necessary to conduct international studies to compare, replicate and to establish the effective nursing interventions.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.185-189
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• 2023

Purpose: Limited research has been conducted on the prevalence of non-medical opioid use (NMOU) in Korean cancer patients who have received prescription opioids (PO). This study aimed to identify the potential proportion of NMOU in cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted on 14,728 patients who underwent cancer-related treatment between January 2009 and December 2019, using electronically collected data from a tertiary hospital in Korea. Information regarding the type and duration of opioid use was gathered. A detailed review of medical charts was carried out, focusing on patients who had been prescribed opioids for over 60 days beyond a 12-month period following the completion of their cancer treatment (long-term PO users). Results: Out of the 5,587 patients who were prescribed PO and followed up for at least 12 months, 13 cases of NMOU were identified, representing 0.23% of the patient population. Among the 204 long-term PO users, the rate was 6.37% (13/204). The most commonly misused opioids were oxycodone and fentanyl. For the group confirmed to have NMOU, the median duration of prescription was 1,327 days in total. Of the 13 patients diagnosed with NMOU, 9 reported withdrawal symptoms, 3 exhibited craving behavior for opioids, and 1 experienced both symptoms. Conclusion: This study found that 0.23% of cancer patients who had been prescribed opioids in Korea demonstrated NMOU. Despite this relatively low rate, careful monitoring is necessary to minimize the risk of NMOU in this population, especially among long-term PO users.