• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.44-53
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• 2001

Despite the advances in cancer therapy in the last 20 years, cancer continues to be a life-threatening illness, and the newly diagnosed individual faces a crisis that emphasized his or her mortality. Patients who suffer from cancer may have psychological problems, especially depression. Most tend to seek the meaning of suffering when continuing pain was experienced. Then the search for meaning, which is one of the primary needs of humans, begins. This meaning is "unique and specific" to the individual, and it must be fulfilled by the individual alone. This study was conducted to provide a basis of data for a nursing intervention program to minimize a cancer patient's suffering and to understand the relationship between life satisfaction, depression, and the meaning of suffering in cancer patients. The sample was composed of 160 cancer patients who were inpatients or outpatients of three general hospitals in Seoul. Data collections were carried out from February 25th to April 20th of 2000. The data was analyzed using a SAS program for descriptive statistics, Pearson Correlations, ANOVA, and Duncan tests. The results were as follows: 1. The scores on the depression scale ranged from 20 to 65 with a mean of 40.76 (SD 9.6) The mean score on the suffering scale was 97.72 (SD 12.7), and the score of the life satisfaction ranged from 15 to 37 with a mean of 25.51 (SD 5.2). 2. There were significant correlations between the amount of life satisfaction and depression (r=-.61, P=.00), the life satisfaction and the meaning of suffering (r=.30, p=.00), and the depression and the meaning of suffering (r=-.24, p=.00). 3. The factors influencing the depression in patients with cancer are age (F=2.52, p=.04) and education level (F=3.98, p=.00). The level of the meaning of suffering in cancer patients differed by education level (F=4.13, p=.00). Also, the level of the life satisfaction in cancer patients differed by education level (F=2.72, p=.04). In conclusion, the correlation between the depression, the meaning of suffering, and life satisfaction can be used as a concrete and practical datum for the development of nursing intervention. This may assist patients with cancer, overcome their suffering and lead to a hopeful life by understanding the meaning of suffering.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.63-67
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• 2014

Background: Epiduroscopic laser neural decompression (ELND) has been performed as a treatment tool for chronic refractory low back pain and/or radicular pain. There are some studies about the usefulness of epiduroscopy for post lumbar surgery syndrome, however, few studies about the effectiveness of epiduroscopy for patients without back surgery. We compared the satisfaction of patients who underwent ELND for chronic low back pain and/or radicular pain after back surgery and for the same symptoms without surgery. Methods: We compared the degree of satisfaction of patients after ELND between who had underwent the lumbar spine surgery and who had not retrospectively by chart reviewing. We divided 39 patients who had received ELND into two groups, one is the group of patients who got the lumbar surgery (group 1), and the other is the group of patients who did not (group 2). Their medical records including age, sex, previous treatment, duration of illness, degree of symptom relief were investigated. We compared each items between two groups. Results: The number of patients in group 1 was 17, and group 2 was 22. In group 1, 16 patients (94.1%) showed more than 'Acceptable', and 19 patients (86.4%) showed more than 'Acceptable' in group 2. There is no significant differences statistically in percentage of patients who showed more than 'Acceptable' in the satisfaction after ELND between two groups. Conclusions: ELND provided satisfaction (more than 85%) for patients with chronic low back pain and/or leg pain regardless of previous back surgery history.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.322-333
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• 2013

This study aimed at analyzing and understanding medical tourism patients' pattern of different countries. For this purpose it followed up the international patients who visited W hospitals for spine treatment for last 3 years. In additon, it proposed key marketing strategies for attraction of more patients in the future. Satisfaction survey for 91 foreigner hospitalized patients were conducted from year 2010 to 2011. Each country of the patients showed slightly different motivations of visiting, consumer pattern and satisfaction of medical and non medical services. The current study analyzed factors, socio-demographic characteristics, purposes of visit, duration of stay in Korea, total number of visits to Korea, companions, plan of care, reasons for choice of W Hospital, expenses for medical care, total cost of staying in Korea. The results of this study showed that patients visited Korea more frequently were more satisfied with the medical care. Patients who planned to use medical care prior to visit Korea were more satisfied. Patients who thought he/she paid reasonable medical cost were more satisfied. Invitation to familiarization tour, clarification of medical cost, and provision of high quality medical care were recommended for the higher satisfaction of foreign patients. Fostering of specialized hospitals were recommended.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.8
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• pp.276-282
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• 2018

This study was conducted to improve the quality of home-based cancer management programs through a survey of satisfaction and needs of the program provided by a regional cancer center. From March 2015 to October 2015, we conducted face to face surveys of patients and caregivers enrolled in home-based cancer management. A total of 101 patients, 59 patients and 41 caregivers, were enrolled. Breast cancer was the main cancer and 51 (86%) patients and 36 (85%) caregivers were satisfied with the number of visits for home-based cancer management. For the service application route, 22 patients (37.29%) obtained information through the cancer center publicity paper and 11 caregivers (26.19%) received recommendations from acquaintances. Except for treatment provided directly to the patients, psychological counseling was the most preferred, and satisfaction regarding picnic and cancer education were also high. Satisfaction with the program provided by regional cancer center was relatively high ($4.14{\pm}1.21$ on a 5-point scale). Additionally, satisfaction of the patients was higher than that of the caregivers, but this difference was not significant ($4.29{\pm}1.11$, $3.93{\pm}1.31$, p = 0.141). Self-esteem was higher among caregivers than patients, but this difference was not significant. To improve the quality of life of cancer patients and caregivers, it is necessary to develop customized programs considering patients' economic situations and need for psychological counseling.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.42-50
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose this research was to provide with basic data in the control of the fatiguer found in the patients with fibromyalgia by analysing the factors that predict that. Method: At three university medical center, appointed 245 out-patients diagnosed of fibromyalgia according to the conditions by American College of Rheumatology (1990). The research instruments used in this study were graphic rating scale(Anxiety, sleep disturbance, pain, joint stiffness and depression), physical activity, the number of tender points, life satisfaction and Self-efficacy scale. In data analysis, SPSS 12.0 program was utilized and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation coefficient and multiple regression. Result: The factors that predict the fatigue of patients with fibromyalgia were sleep disturbance, life satisfaction, pain, joint stiffness, illness duration, and anxiety which explained 50.1% of the fatigue. Conclusion: It has been confirmed that the regression equation model of this research may serve as a fatigue prediction factors in patients with fibromyalgia.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.279-288
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of breathing exercises performed using panflutes in elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery. Methods: The study design was a nonequivalent control group non-synchronized pre-post test. The study included 24 patients in both the experimental group and the control group. The experimental group completed a daily breathing exercise regimen using panflutes for 30minutes after meals, whereas the control group was provided standard preoperative education, including breathing exercises using incentive spirometers. After the exercise regimen, breathing exercise compliance, pulmonary infections, and life satisfaction were measured in both groups, and the data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN program. Results: The compliance rate of breathing exercises was significantly higher in the experimental group. The experimental group presented no pulmonary infections in the later period, whereas the control group presented higher pulmonary infection rates in the same period. In addition, the life satisfaction score in the experimental group significantly increased. Conclusion: The breathing exercise program using panflutes for elderly patients undergoing spinal surgery enhanced their breathing exercise compliance and their daily life satisfaction in addition to reducing their pulmonary infection rates.

• Journal of Home Health Care Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.139-149
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to provide the basic data required for quality improvement of home health care nursing and development of nursing services for cancer patients by examining the frequency of practices, level of service needs and satisfaction for nursing services. Methods: The subjects were 231 patients who agreed in participating on this study and were receiving home health care nursing services by the home health care advanced practice nurse from two national hospitals and four subsidiary general hospitals, located in Seoul from September 30, 2008 to February 28, 2009. Data were analyzed by frequency, percentage, t-test and ANOVA, using SPSS WIN 12.0 program. Results: The most frequent practices were 'checking vital sign' and 'explaining what patient want to know.' Total service need had an average of 3.03 point and emotional domain showed the highest average of 3.44 point. Total satisfaction had an average of 4.23 point and satisfaction along diseases had the highest average of 3.65 point in case of non-metastasis cancer. Conclusion: The subjects were highly satisfied with home health care nursing services which gave positive effect to them. It will be helpful to give cancer patients physical and spiritual care complementally when home health care nurses provide nursing services.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.85-93
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of the SMS(Short Message Service) informing patients' surgical operation status to his or her family members on their nursing satisfaction. Methods: A non-equivalent control group non-synchronized design was used. The subjects were the family members of patients underwent spine surgery operation at a general hospital in B city. Twenty five subjects in the experimental group received SMS services whereas the other twenty five subjects in the control group received no intervention. Results: There was a significant difference in the level of nursing satisfaction in the experimental group compared to that of the control group(t=7.14, p=.001). Conclusion: The result above indicates that the level of nursing satisfaction of family members of the patients under surgical operation can be raised by providing SMS informing surgical operational status during the operation. This finding leads to the conclusion that such information service can be used as one of the efficient interventions for improving patient and family satisfactions with nursing care in a surgical unit.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.29-39
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing patient satisfaction and to evaluate the utility of patient satisfaction as an outcome indicator. The study was conducted by mailed questionnaire. The subjects were 900 patients discharged from adult nursing units in a tertiary teaching hospital. On the discharge date, questionnaires were distributed by two trained research assistants. The questionnaire developed by the researchers was based on Larson(1996)'s study, and consisted of 71 items with the following components: overall satisfaction, domain-specific satisfaction(administration process, hospital facility and environment, nurses, and doctors), patients' loyalty(intention to use the health care service of the hospital in the future), recommendation to others, health benefits, and demographic characteristics. Each item was rated using a five point Likert scale ranging from '1=strongly disagree' to '5= strongly agree'. The response rate was 43%(387/900). The satisfaction level with the health care service was generally high. Perceived health status was the only significant factor influencing satisfaction level. Satisfaction with doctors contributed the most to explaining overall satisfaction. Overall satisfaction was significantly correlated with patient loyalty, recommendation, to other and perceived health benefit. It was found that the score of satisfaction was positively correlated with the score of loyalty, recommendation, and health benefit. Therefore, patient satisfaction seems to be a good outcome indicator.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.787-795
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• 1997

This descriptive study was conducted to ascertain whether the needs of patients with cancer, their caregivers and their nurses changed according to the illness phases and if the perceived needs of the three groups were different for three categories of nursing needs. At two hospitals in Seoul and Choongnam, three groups of subjects, -patients with cancer(79), caregivers(92), and nurses(72) - responded to a questionnaire consisting of items on educational need(11 items), physical need(8 items), emotional need(9 items) using a 4-point Likert scale. The patients and caregivers were selected according to the phase of the cancer (initial, intermediate or recurred, terminal phases). Finding revealed that the level of perception and degree of satisfaction of the needs were low, just around two points in patients and caregivers. Of the three categories of needs, physical needs were received the highest score and the degree of satisfaction of physical needs was also the highest. There was no significant difference between the level of perception and satisfaction of needs in patients and caregivers according to the phases of the illness and the degree of per reception and the satisfaction of the patients were not significantly different and caregivers showed the same result. There was a significant difference in the level of importance of the needs of nurses according to the phases of the cancer. They perceived emotional needs were the most important in first phase and second phase, physical needs in third phase and the educational needs were more important in the first phase than in any other phase. The degree of importance of needs was significantly lower than the degree to which needs were addressed, according to the nurses response. In a comparison of patient and caregiver's perceived degrees of need, and need satisfaction, and nurse's perceived degree of need provision, patient and caregiver scores were lower than the nurses.