• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.23-35
• /
• 1999

Purpose : The hospice movement began about 30 years ago in Korea. However, basic studies have seldom been conducted about the general public's knowledge concerning hospice care and their needs for it. The purpose of this study was to investigate the general public's knowledge of and attitude toward hospice, and their needs for hospice care, and to analyze the needs for hospice care in relation to their knowledge and attitude in residents from a specific community. Methods : The survey was conducted with 924 people randomly selected from a district in Seoul. The data were collected through a self-reporting questionnaire constructed by the authors. With 30 items given in the questionnaire, the level of hospice needs showed Cronbach's alpha .89 in a pilot study and .92 in this study and the items were classified into four areas by a factor analysis. The data collected were analyzed by means of t-test and ANOVA. Results : 1) The average age of the respondents was 38. The majority of the respondents were well-educated. 2) Regarding awareness of hospice care, 54%(501 people) indicated they have heard of hospice. About 74% thought that people should be able to prepare for death in advance. About 83% wanted to be informed when they have life threatening illnesses such as terminal cancer. Also, about 63% responded that patients with terminal diseases should be provided with physical, spiritual, and psychological care for minimizing pain and peaceful death. Regarding the attitude toward hospice care, 74% responded that they would use hospice care if needed. The number of the respondents who preferred home visitation by the hospice team to care for the terminally ill ranked first with 34%. Concerning needs for hospice care : 1) By needs area, physical need showed highest mean(M=4.37), followed by social need(M=3.96), emotional need(M=3.87), and the spiritual need(M=3.79). The overall need level showed the mean value of 4.00 which reflects a considerable need for hospice care. 2) By demographic characteristics, people age over 50, the married, and the unemployed indicated higher level of needs for hospice care. Women showed higher level of needs than did men, and Catholics demonstrated higher level of needs than believers of other religion(P<0.0001). 3) As for the knowledge of and attitude toward hospice rare, the level of hospice care needs was significantly higher in the following groups: those who have heard of hospice, those who are aware of death preparation, those who want information on terminal diseases, those who want to use every method to sustain life, and those who are aware of hospice needs(P<0.001). Conclusion : It is assumed that the findings of this study on the knowledge, attitude, and needs for hospice care in the public can contribute to planning a successful hospice care program. Furthermore, the findings of this study will serve as useful data for the promotion of home hospice care to improve the quality of life of community residents, and contribute to the development of hospice care as a whole.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.16 no.7
• /
• pp.4668-4678
• /
• 2015

This study was conducted to determine the correlation between breakfast consumption and health-related quality of life in elderly adults. It analyzed the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2010 to 2012, using a sample of 4,035 people aged 65 or above. Analysis followed the SAS SURVEY procedure, considering the complex sample design. A t-test, a chi-square test, and logistic regression analysis were performed using SAS version 9.3. The rate of skipping breakfast by elderly adults was 4.7%, and it was higher in women and elderly adults living alone. It also significantly differed by drinking status and BMI. Elderly adults consuming breakfast had slightly higher scores on the health-related quality of life measure than those who did not (0.85 vs 0.81). Results revealed that health-related quality of life increased with meal frequency, and that elderly adults who ate breakfast tended to score better on the pain/discomfort and anxiety/depression domains of the health-related quality of life measure. It was found that breakfast consumption associated with health-related quality of life in elderly adults. Accordingly, it is necessary to increase awareness among elderly adults regarding the importance of breakfast, and to improve their health-related quality of life by developing and implementing interventions to improve dietary habits.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.20 no.11
• /
• pp.106-114
• /
• 2019

This study aims to identify the effects of experiencing health promotion education on the present health status of elderly people. The subjects of this study were a total 10,532 elderly people (aged 65 years or older), and who were selected from the data of the '2017 Community Health Survey'. The health promotion education experience consisted of handwashing education/campaign, a non-smoking campaign and non-smoking education. The chronic disease control education experience consisted of education on hypertension, diabetes mellitus and arthritis. Psychiatric counseling consisted of consultations on stress, depression and suicide. The present health status consisted of the patients' ability to exercise, their self-care ability, their activities of daily living, their pain/discomfort and their anxiety/depression. The data was analyzed utilizing the chi-square test, the Mann-Whitney test and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The general characteristics of the subjects were 4,075 males (38.69%) and 6,457 females (61.31%). The average age was 73.71(±6.18) years old. The significant factors influencing the elderly peoples' present health status were age (OR=0.909, 95% CI=0.886-0.933), handwashing education/campaign (OR=2.463, 95% CI=1.703-3.563), a stop smoking campaign (OR=1.624, 95% CI=1.146-2.301) and consultation for mental problems (OR=0.533, 95% CI=0.359-0.791). In conclusion, to modify the personal habits that the elderly have had for a long time and to show the effects of education, long-term continuous education that focuses on the characteristics of the people will be effective.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.58 no.6
• /
• pp.211-217
• /
• 2015

Purpose: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection is a major cause of respiratory infection in school-aged children. Extrapulmonary manifestations of MP infection are common, but liver involvement has been rarely reported. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical characteristics of MP-associated hepatitis. Methods: This prospective study included 1,044 pediatric patients with MP infection diagnosed serologically with MP IgM at one medical center from January 2006 to December 2012. Eighty of these patients had elevated levels of serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), each greater than 50 IU/L, without any other specific liver disorder and were compared with the 964 children without liver disorders. Results: In total, 7.7% of patients with MP infection had a diagnosis of hepatitis, especially in fall and winter. The ratio of male to female patients was 1.7:1, and the mean age of the patients was 5 years and 5 months. The most common symptoms were cough, fever, and sputum. Anorexia was the most common gastrointestinal symptom, followed by nausea/vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. Mean levels of AST and ALT were 100.65 IU/L and 118.73 IU/L, respectively. Serum AST/ALT level was normalized within 7.5 days on average without complications. The mean duration of hospitalization (11.3 days) was longer for children with hepatitis than for those without hepatitis (P=0.034). Conclusion: MP-associated hepatitis is not uncommon and has a relatively good prognosis. Therefore, clinicians should be concerned about liver involvement in MP infection but avoid further unnecessary evaluation of hepatitis associated with MP.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2008

Purpose: In terminally ill cancer patients, accurate prediction of survival is necessary for clinical and ethical reasons, especially in helping to avoid harm, discomfort and inappropriate therapies and in planning specific care strategies. The aim of the study was to investigate prognostic factor of dying patients. Methods: We enrolled the terminal cancer patients from Kangnam St. Mary's Hospital from 2004 until their death. We observed symptoms shown in dying patients and assess 17 common symptoms shown in terminally ill cancer patients, performance status, pain and analgesic use. Results: Average period from hospitalization to death was 11.7 days. The most important prognostic factor is performance status (KPS), average KPS at enrollment is 48% and at last 48 hours is 25%. Physical symptoms that have significant prognostic importance are poor oral intake, weakness, constipation, decreased Karnofsky performance status, bed sore, edema, jaundice, dry mouth, dyspnea. Dying patients showed markedly decreased systolic blood pressure, cyanosis, drowsiness, abnormal respiration, death rattle frequently at 48 hours before death. Conclusion: If we assess the symptoms more carefully, we can predict the more accurate prognosis. The communication about the prognostic information will influence the personal therapeutic decision and specific care planning.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.178-187
• /
• 2012

Purpose: In Korea, the nation's medical expenses were 12 billion won in 2010. The medical costs for individuals can also be overwhelming. If a patient has sustained severe trauma, his/her insurance company responsible may pay only part of the medical bills. In Korean, there are diverse types of medical insurance, such as health insurance, automobile insurance, and industrial accident compensation insurance. And each insurance system has a different type of payment system. Our study will be essential for establishing the optimal medical expense payment system. Methods: From January to December 2011, we retrospectively reviewed the medical charts of 161 patients who were admitted to our hospital's emergency room after having undergone severe trauma. Of those 161 patients, 125 were retrospectively reviewed. Written permission was obtained from all of the patients. We analysed the demographic characteristics, clinical outcomes, data of the trauma, type of the patient's insurance, and the entire bill when the patient was discharged. Results: Seventy-one patients had health insurance, 48 automobile insurance, and six industrial accident compensation insurance. High-deductible insurance included health insurance and industrial accident compensation insurance, with the deductibles up to 20.6% and 19.1%, respectively. We attempted to analyze the cause of the high deductible rate. In patients with health insurance, medicines, primarily sedatives, pain killers, antibiotics, and fluids. comprised a large proportion. On the other hand, industrial accident compensation insurance deducted for a high-grade hospital room charge. Conclusion: We found that medical expenses were diverse according to the type of insurance. In particular, health insurance forced patients to pay too much of the medical expenses. Therefore, in Korea we should try to identify the insurance problems and improve the wage system.

• Journal of Veterinary Clinics
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.268-271
• /
• 2015

About 2-year old northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis) which is designated as natural monument (#323-1) in Republic of Korea was rescued by a local farmer and presented with a 2-weeks history of pain, swelling, stiffness and limping. On physical examination, plantar pododermatitis and digit IV weakness were observed. Radiographic findings also showed bone lyses with soft tissue swelling in the foot. A definite diagnosis was made as stage III bumble foot after multidisciplinary approach of the patient. Bacterial culture was performed, and concurrently antibiotic susceptibility testing is determined using wound site exudates specimen. Bacterial isolates were identified as Staphylococcus aureus, known normal skin flora. Treatment was initiated with surgical incision and necrotized tissues removal. Lavage-drainage and ball bandage were applied with topical mupirocin ointment application. Doughnut shaped pad was attached on bottom of the ball bandage to reduce weight bearing. After three weeks of intensive care, the wound site completely healed but digit IV weakness remained permanently. The goshawk returned to nature after eight weeks after treatment.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
• /
• v.7 no.4
• /
• pp.419-431
• /
• 2007

The setting of dental hygiene clinics is very important to dental hygiene education, which is the place not only to educate students but also to care clients. The purpose of this study is to provide basic research material for improvement of dental hygiene care system in dental hygiene clinics by analyzing the client satisfaction. A questionnaire survey by means of self-entry method was conducted to find out satisfaction of the client, who was visited to the dental hygiene clinics in the department of dental hygiene, Yonsei University. An analysis of frequency, one way ANOVA and T-Test were performed through SPSS 12.0K program. 1. Most clients were mainly composed of students in Wonju College of Medicine. 2. The clients visited for scaling(85.8%) and oral examination(9.73%) were much than treatment(4.42%). 3. Clients aged 21 to 25 were relatively lower in satisfaction with the facilities, system, attitude than any other ages. 4. The dental hygiene students are the lowest group in satisfaction with the facility, system, attitude than medical and nursing students. 5. The clients satisfaction with dental hygiene clinics was decreased in reverse proportion to visiting frequency. 6. Most of the clients pointed out the problems of appointment system(54.0%) and fee(23.0%), which should be improved than any other operation conditions. 7. Most of the clients were not satisfied with chair time and pain during care. 8. Most clients recognized to receive the better care service than other dental offices(81.3%). Especially, they paid attention to oral health education using phase-contrast microscope. 9. Many clients were dissatisfied with facilities of the dental hygiene clinics(71.7%). The problems of appointment system(54.0%) and chair time of dental hygiene care services(63.6%) had also inconvenienced to clients. The dental hygiene clinics in school play a crucial role in dental hygiene education to foster the student to be competent as a professional dental hygienist in the future. Therefore, well-organized dental hygiene care program based on dental hygiene process is essential. It is also required to improve the environment of dental hygiene clinics including facilities, appointment system and fee etc.