• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.598-607
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• 2022

Purpose: This qualitative study aimed to explore the lived and true meaning of experiences of middle-aged patients with complex regional pain syndrome. Methods: The participants were 10 men and women aged 40 to 60 years who received outpatient treatment at a university hospital, could communicate, and agreed to participate in the study. Data were collected through individual interviews using open and semi-structured questions from September 2019 to July 2021 and were analyzed using the content analysis method suggested by Hsieh and Shannon (2005). Results: As a result of this study, 42 summarized semantic units related to life experience, 15 subthemes, and seven themes were derived. The seven themes were "pressed by severe pain," "frustrated because I cannot be part of the community," "distressed because people do not recognize my disease," "sad about conflicts with family," "unmotivated because of desperate life," "appreciating for support," and "putting oneself together and living daily life." Conclusion: The vivid experiences of the participants derived in this study are the basic data for developing treatment guidelines. In the future, we propose a study on life and family care experiences according to the developmental characteristics of the life cycle of patients with complex regional pain syndrome and develop and apply programs to support patients and their families.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.61 no.3
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• pp.298-303
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• 2023

This study aimed to describe a rare case of gnathostomiasis in the vocal cord. A 54-yearold Chinese woman living in Korea visited with a chief complaint of voice change at the outpatient department of otorhinolaryngology in Hallym Sacred Heart Hospital, Hallym University on August 2, 2021. She had eaten raw conger a few weeks before the voice change developed, but her medical history and physical examinations demonstrated neither gastrointestinal symptoms nor other health problems. A round and red cystic lesion, recognized in the anterior part of the right vocal cord, was removed using forceps and scissors through laryngeal microsurgery. The histopathological specimen of the cyst revealed 3 cross-sections of a nematode larva in the lumen of the cyst wall composed of inflammatory cells and fibrotic tissues. They differ in diameter, from 190 ㎛ to 235 ㎛. They showed characteristic cuticular layers with tegumental spines, somatic muscle layers, and gastrointestinal tracts such as the esophagus and intestine. Notably, intestinal sections consisted of 27-28 lining cells containing 0-4 nuclei per cell. We tentatively identified the nematode larva recovered from the vocal cord cystic lesion as the thirdstage larva of Gnathostoma, probably G. nipponicum or G. hispidum, based on the sectional morphologies.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.189-196
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• 2015

In case of Senior Hospitals, meticulous care is required in both amount and quality of natural lighting because of the semi-long term residence of patients. Natural lighting has a huge impact on the physical and psychological part for the seniors. Likewise, natural lighting is an important factor considered for hospital design because it can also effect hospitalization period of patients. Research subject was K Senior Hospital which was determined as the courtyard-type building made to provide healing environment through natural lighting. Analysis was performed by dividing the space of K Senior Hospital into Central Treatment Department directly used by patients, Outpatient Department(OPD), Ward Department, Common Use Department. Research was carried out in two ways of integration value analysis using SPACE SYNTAX and illumination intensity analysis using ECOTECT. K Senior Hospital intended to actively let in natural light through courtyard and to make patients exposed to natural light when they walk along the circuit corridor built around the courtyard. This environmental consideration affected the utilization rate of Common Use Department and residence time of patients raising the average of Common Use Department on every floor. As a resuit of this study presenting type C and type D, part of four types of illumination intensity, takes higher percentage of almost every spaces compare to the others therefore K Senior Hospital was designed on the assumption of healing environment composition through natural light. The result of this research would be used meaningfully in the space programming phase of Senior Hospitals in the future. Utilization rate can be adjusted using illumination intensity value in the space that integration rate should be planed to be high. The use(purpose) of space and integration rate can be used as a guideline to set illumination intensity of natural.

• Journal of Chest Surgery
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.439-443
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• 2013

Background: The surgically created arteriovenous fistula has recently been recommended as the best available angioaccess for hemodialysis. Therefore, in this study, we carried out a clinical analysis on surgical procedures in the ligation and division of a distal vein to achieve similar effects as those of vein end-to-arterial side after side-to-side anastomosis. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of 113 patients who came for an outpatient clinic follow-up to the department of internal medicine of our hospital; these patients were among the 125 patients who underwent radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (side-to-side anastomosis with distal vein ligation and division) in our hospital in the period from January 2006 to December 2010. Results: The patency rate showed no statistical significance with respect to sex (p=0.775), age (p=0.775), hypertension (p=0.262), diabetes (p=0.929), and cardio-neurovascular disease (p=0.717). Patency rates were 96% for the first month, 93% for the first year, and 90% for the second year for the radiocephalic arteriovenous fistula (side-to-side anastomosis with distal vein ligation and division) performed on the wrist. Conclusion: The patency rates revealed favorable results and few postoperative complications as compared to those of previous reports. Therefore, radiocephalic fistula using side-to-side anastomosis with distal cephalic vein ligation is considered a recommendable surgical procedure in the distal part for the hemodialysis of CRF patients.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.69-78
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• 2016

Objectives: The suicide rate in Korea is increasing every year, and is the highest among the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. Psychiatric patients in particular have a higher risk of suicide than other patients. This study was performed to evaluate determinants of mental health care utilization among individuals at high risk for suicide. Methods: Korea Health Panel data from 2009 to 2011 were used. Subjects were individuals at high risk of suicide who had suicidal ideation, a past history of psychiatric illness, or had utilized outpatient services for a psychiatric disorder associated with suicidal ideation within the past year. The chi-square test and hierarchical logistic regression were used to identify significant determinants of mental health care utilization. Results: The total number of subjects with complete data on the variables in our model was 989. Individuals suffering from three or more chronic diseases used mental health care more frequently. Mental health care utilization was higher in subjects who had middle or high levels of educational attainment, were receiving Medical Aid, or had a large family size. Conclusions: It is important to control risk factors in high-risk groups as part of suicide prevention strategies. The clinical approach, which includes community-based intervention, entails the management of reduction of suicidal risk. Our study identified demographic characteristics that have a significant impact on mental health care utilization and should be considered in the development of suicide prevention strategies. Further studies should examine the effect of mental health care utilization on reducing suicidal ideation.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.19-36
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess adequately equipped with convenience facilities for the disabled in 160 healthcare institutions in Jongno district, Seoul. Healthcare institutions were equipped an average of 3.7 facilities out of 10. General hospitals had an average of 5.0 facilities, which was higher than an average of 3.6 facilities for private clinics (p<0.05). Of 160 healthcare institutions, only 13 (8.1%) offered easy access to the outpatient setting from the entrance for wheelchair users, highlighting difficult wheelchair access within hospitals. To provide easy access to medical service for the disabled, more accessible designs need to be adopted as part of the effort to improve public facilities for the disabled. Also, universal designs could be applied for newly constructed roads, structures and transportation vehicles to maximize accessibility for the disabled. Increased accessibility for the disabled in the community will eventually increase the use of healthcare institutions.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.174-181
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• 2009

Recently hospitals are implementing a One Stop Service as part of patient-care service. With the One Stop Service, medical treatment including consultation, inspection, and results are changing to be made available in one visit. Therefore most examinations are reserved for the same day; however, there are cases in which additional visits are necessary because of certain properties related to exams. This study compares and analyzes the number of reinspections before and after reforms. By designating the order of priority for BMD examinations and implementing education from information obtained in the OCS E-manual update, the number of reinspections for wards was reduced from 58 to 21, Outpatient departments were reduced from 51 to 12, and errors in reservations made by employees in the department of radiology were reduced from 98 to 11. Reinspections can be reduced with full understanding the factors related to reinspection and a background check prior to inspection in order to determine the order of priority for inspections. This will also reduce workers' stress and increase their efficiency and at the same time decease patient dissatisfaction and improve hospital reliability.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.2717-2720
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• 2012

Background: The rates of breast cancer have increased over the past two decades, and this raises concern about physical, psychological and social well-being of women with breast cancer. Further, few women really want to do breast cancer screening. We here investigated the socio-demographic correlates of mammography participation among 400 asymptomatic Iranian women aged between 35 and 69. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at the four outpatient clinics of general hospitals in Tehran during the period from July through October, 2009. Bi-variate analyses and multi-variate binary logistic regression were employed to find the socio-demographic predictors of mammography utilization among participants. Results: The rate of mammography participation was 21.5% and relatively high because of access to general hospital services. More women who had undergone mammography were graduates from university or college, had full-time or part-time employment, were insured whether public or private, reported a positive family history of breast cancer, and were in the middle income level (all P<0.01).The largest number of participating women was in the age range of 41 to 50 years. The results of multivariate logistic regression further showed that education (95%CI: 0.131-0.622), monthly income (95%CI: 0.038-0.945), and family history of breast cancer (95%CI: 1.97-9.28) were significantly associated (all P<0.05) with mammography participation. Conclusions: The most important issue for a successful screening program is participation. Using a random sample, this study found that the potential predictor variables of mammography participation included a higher education level, a middle income level, and a positive family history of breast cancer for Iranian women, after adjusting for all other demographic variables in the model.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.103-108
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• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this survey was to assess the satisfaction of patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain with physical therapy (PT) in Busan, Daegu, and Kyeongsang provinces using a Korean-language version of the patient satisfaction questionnaire with physical therapy service (PSPT). Methods: A total of 654 patients, having PT for their musculoskeletal pains, participated. Consenting subjects completed a 20-item PSPT on their $6^{th}$ or last treatment day. Simple descriptive statistics were used for respondent characteristics, and mean of satisfaction score in each item. Regression analysis was performed on each item of the questionnaire. Results: 654 subjects responded during or after their PT services. 297 (45.5%) of them were male and the most common site of pain was the spine. The mean of each item score (1-5) ranged from 2.14 for "my therapist did not listen to my concerns" to 4.12 for "my therapist treated me respectfully". Receptionist's attitude, registration process, service time of the hospital, and answer to the patient's questions greatly affected the general satisfaction of the respondents. Conclusion: The results showed high levels of satisfaction to the general process for obtaining treatment as well as the therapist's attitudes toward their patients. They may provide valuable patients' feedback regarding PT service for musculoskeletal pain. Therefore, it may be used by physical therapists to improve future patient experiences with a view to improving the patient's attendance and compliance with the PT service protocols for patients suffering from musculoskeletal pain.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.14
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• pp.6001-6006
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• 2015

Background: Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer related death with median survival ranging from 3 to 6 months for metastatic disease. Palliative chemotherapy has been the backbone of treatment in advanced stage and has evolved over time. Data pertaining to the disease are scarce from our part of the world where treatment poses a significant challenge due to lack of resources. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients presenting with stage IV pancreatic carcinoma at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan between January 2008 and December 2012. Data were collected using a pre-designed, coded questionnaire looking at patient characteristics, treatment given and outcome. Results: 101 patients were found to be eligible. Mean age was $56.7{\pm}12.8years$, the male to female ratio was 2:1 and most patients had a good performance status. More than half of the tumors were located in the head (57%, n=58) and almost all were adenocarcinomas (95%, n=96). Some 58% (n=59) received first line chemotherapy of which 49% (n=29) received gemcitabine-based regimens and 39% (n=23) received FOLFIRINOX. The median progression free survival for gemcitabine based treatment was 2.9 months (IQR=1.6-5.6) as opposed to 7.3 months (IQR=4.5-9.2) for FOLFIRINOX (P=0.02). Median overall survival was 4.9 months (IQR=2.3-9.5) for first line gemcitabine based treatment and 10.5 months (IQR=7.0-13.2) for first line FOLFIRINOX therapy (P=0.002). Patients on FOLFIRINOX had better survival across all subgroups. Inpatient admissions and dose reductions were more frequent with FOLFIRINOX but the difference between the two regimens was not statistically significant. FOLFIRINOX could be successfully administered as outpatient therapy to a number of patients. Conclusions: FOLFIRINOX remains a suitable first line option in patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer with good performance status even in a resource-poor country where diagnostic and supportive care facilities may be less than optimal and cost is a limitation.