• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.59 no.1
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• pp.37-43
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• 2016

Objective : The aim of this multicenter, matched-pair study was to compare the outcomes of stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) and conventional external radiation therapy (RT) when used as a primary treatment in spine metastasis from hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods : From 2005 to 2012, 28 patients underwent SRS as the primary treatment in spine metastasis from HCC. Based on sex, age, number of spine metastasis, Child-Pugh classification, interval from original tumor to spine metastasis, and year of treatment, 28 patients who underwent RT were paired. Outcomes of interest were pain relief, progression free survival, toxicities, and further treatment. Results : The perioperative visual analog scale (VAS) decrease was larger in SRS group than in RT group, but the difference was not significant (3.7 vs. 2.8, p=0.13). When pain medication was adjusted, the number of patients with complete (n=6 vs.3) or partial (n=12 vs.13) relief was larger in SRS group than in RT group; however, the difference was not significant (p=0.83). There was no significant difference in progression free survival (p=0.48). In SRS group, 32.1% of patients had 1 or more toxicities whereas the percentage in RT group was 63.0%, a significant difference (p=0.04). Six SRS patients and 7 RT patients received further intervention at the treated segment. Conclusion : Clinical and radiological outcome were not significantly different between the two treatments. Toxicities, however, were more prevalent in the RT group.

• Journal of Trauma and Injury
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.51-57
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• 2018

Purpose: Patients with diffuse axonal injury experience various disabilities and have a high cost of treatment. Recent researches have revealed the underlying mechanism and pathogenesis of diffuse axonal injury. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between the radiological grading of diffuse axonal injury and the clinical outcomes of patients. Methods: From January 2011 to December 2016, among 294 patients with traumatic brain injury, 44 patients underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A total of 18 patients were enrolled in this study except for other cerebral injuries, such as cerebral hemorrhage or hypoxic brain damage. Demographic data, clinical data, and radiological findings were retrospectively reviewed. The grading of diffuse axonal injury was analyzed based on patient's MRI findings. Results: For the most severe diffuse axonal injury patients, prolonged intensive care unit (ICU) stay (p=0.035), hospital stay (p=0.012), and prolonged mechanical ventilation (p=0.030) were observed. However, there was no significant difference in healthcare-associated infection rates between MRI grading (p=0.123). Massive transfusion, initial hemoglobin and lactate levels, and MRI gradings were found to be highly significant in predicting the duration of unconsciousness. Conclusions: This study showed that patients with high grade diffuse axonal injury have prolonged ICU stays and significantly longer hospital stays. Deteriorated mental patients with high energy injuries should be evaluated to identify diffuse axonal injuries by using an appropriate imaging tool, such as MRI. It will be important to predict the duration of consciousness recovery using MRI scans.

• Clinical and Experimental Reproductive Medicine
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.233-239
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• 2016

Objective: Uterine contraction induced by the embryo transfer (ET) process has an adverse effect on embryo implantation. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of oxytocin antagonist supplementation on the day of ET on in vitro fertilization outcomes via a meta-analysis. Methods: We performed a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Four online databases (Embase, Medline, PubMed, and Cochrane Library) were searched through May 2015 for RCTs that investigated oxytocin antagonist supplementation on the day of ET. Studies were selected according to predefined inclusion criteria and meta-analyzed using RevMan 5.3. Only RCTs were included in this study. The main outcome measures were the clinical pregnancy rate, the implantation rate, and the miscarriage rate. Results: A total of 123 studies were reviewed and assessed for eligibility. Three RCTs, which included 1,020 patients, met the selection criteria. The implantation rate was significantly better in patients who underwent oxytocin antagonist infusion (19.8%) than in the control group (11.3%) (n = 681; odds ratio [OR], 1.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-2.96). No significant difference was found between the two groups in the clinical pregnancy rate (n = 1,020; OR, 1.57; 95% CI, 0.92-2.67) or the miscarriage rate (n = 456; OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.44-1.33). Conclusion: The results of this meta-analysis of the currently available literature suggest that the administration of an oxytocin antagonist on the day of ET improves the implantation rate but not the clinical pregnancy rate or miscarriage rate. Additional, large-scale, prospective, randomized studies are necessary to confirm these findings.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.350-358
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• 2019

Background Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral entrapment neuropathy with a high morbidity and healthcare-related costs. Currently there is no consensus about the best treatment option. The purpose of this prospective cohort study conducted at a single institution was to evaluate the clinical outcomes and patient satisfaction following a mini-open carpal tunnel release for idiopathic CTS. Methods A total of 72 patients (53 female and 19 male patients; mean age, $57.8{\pm}15.3$ years; range, 24-94 years) had a mini-open carpal tunnel release performed by a single senior surgeon between June 2015 and June 2016. The patients were evaluated preoperatively, and at 3 and 12 months post-intervention. At every follow-up, the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire (BCTSQ) and visual analogue scale (VAS) scores for pain and satisfaction were completed. Digital sensibility (using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments) was assessed and pinch and grip strengths were measured. Results Statistically significant and clinically relevant improvement was found in terms of digital sensibility, grip and pinch strength (except for 2-point pinch), BCTSQ scores and pain scores. The complication rate was minimal, and no major complications occurred. Two patients experienced recurrence. The availability of follow-up records (including patient-reported outcomes, BCTSQ and VAS scores, and the complication rate) at 1-year post-intervention varied between 69% and 74% (50-53 patients) depending on which parameter was assessed. Patient satisfaction was high (mean, $80.9{\pm}26.0$; range, 0-100). Conclusions This study demonstrates that mini-incision carpal tunnel release is clinically effective in the short and long term.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.300-307
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• 2018

Objective: As the demands of healthcare environment change, it is necessary to advance human health care by improving students' essential competencies including knowledge, skills, abilities, inter-professional collaboration and patient centered care. This study identified long term accomplishment and improvement of the essential competencies in clinical pharmacy practice education (CPPE) at Korean hospitals over time. Methods: This study was conducted for pharmacy students who completed CPPE evaluation related to tertiary hospitals and secondary hospitals located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do regional area from 2014 to 2018. Results: Over the past 5 years, overall results of student evaluation on the essential competencies in CPPE at both tertiary and secondary hospitals showed a decreasing trend or did not change. Essential competency in CPPE at tertiary hospitals had been identified as superior on 'Learn clinical knowledge in the treatment of diseases' to secondary hospitals [average number of students (%): 210 (72.9%) vs 68 (68.0%)]. On the other hand, essential competencies in CPPE at secondary hospitals had been identified as better at 'inter-professionals collaborative teamwork and direct patient care' than tertiary hospitals [average number of students (%): 64 (64.0%) and 56 (56.0%) vs 121 (42.0%) and 90 (31.3%)]. A total of 176 (61.1%) students in tertiary hospitals and 66 (66.0%) in secondary hospitals evaluated that 'patient-centered care' education was good. Conclusion: In tertiary hospitals, all six essential competency outcomes have not been improved, whereas four essential competency outcomes showed an increasing trend in secondary hospitals. It will be necessary to develop outcome-based CPPE education program to better reflect the essential competencies.

• Quality Improvement in Health Care
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.218-231
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• 2001

Background : The purpose of this study was to investigate the understanding and the attitude of Korean hospital CEOs toward the healthcare quality improvement. Methods : A mailed questionnaire survey to the CEOs of hospitals with 400 beds or more was conducted between September 15 and October 30, 2000. Of the 108 hospitals eligible for the study, 58 participated, yielding a response rate of 54 percent. Result : The hospital CEOs have expressed that their hospital management was arduous job, and they had been pressured by increasing competitions among healthcare providers. They indicated that the low fees of health insurance made their hospital management difficult. The results also indicated that there was general consensus that the improvement of service quality was important in encouraging their organizations, but the investment of manpower and equipment ranked higher than the improvement of service quality. The majority of the CEOs have good understanding about quality improvement activities. However the facts that in general QI must be focused at the process of services and customer satisfaction, meanwhile quality improvement activities are helpful for the organizational productivity embarrassed them. The hospital CEOs responded that there were successful changes in terms of quality of care, patient satisfaction, and process efficiency after QI activities, but no increase in patient number and profit. Lack of understanding to QI activities and limited budget seem to attribute unsatisfactory outcomes. Conclusion : The majority of Korean hospital CEOs have a good understanding and attitude about QI activities. As mentioned in the result, despite of several limitations, several facts regarding the CEOs of hospital in Korean can be elucidated. (1) The general cognition of the QI project is relatively high, and it is accepted with positive concern, (2) the priority of the QI project, however, is not set higher than other projects and (3) the specific concepts of the actual QI project such as customer (patient)-focused work driving, the recognition of the work accomplishment, and the importance of rewards have not sufficiently understood.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.117-127
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• 2009

Purpose: Adequate health-related information provided by health professionals may help cancer patients overcome their uncertain situation and manage their healthcare. To provide information effectively, there is a need to understand the content of the patients' essential information. The purpose of this study was to identify recent informational needs of postoperative gastric cancer patients. Materials and Methods: Data were collected from 190 postoperative gastric cancer patients who attended the Stomach Cancer Patients' Day ceremony (18 November 2008) held by the Stomach Cancer Center of Samsung Medical Center with the use of a questionnaire which measured informational needs. A questionnaire with 37 items was comprised of domains of diagnostic tests, cancer therapy, prognosis, follow-up, sexual activity, stomach cancer-related information, and 7 single items. Results: The priorities of informational needs were the domains of prognosis, ways of healthcare during treatment (a single item), follow-up, stomach cancer-related information, cancer therapy, and diagnostic tests (in descending order). Items related to prognosis, diet, and management of their healthcare ranked in the top 10 informational need scores. As age decreased, the degree of informational needs about diagnostic tests, cancer therapy, sexual activity, and stomach cancer-related information increased. Conclusion: We suggest that prognosis-related information based on the accumulated institutional therapeutic outcomes and objective prognosis data should be incorporated in the current education program. Health professionals should provide comprehensible information content to cancer patients and caregivers and encourage patients to participate in their therapy with a more positive attitude.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.359-367
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of physical, psychological, and social factors on the health status of patients undergoing hemodialysis using longitudinal data. Methods: Two surveys were conducted within a period of two-year. A total of 75 patients participated in both surveys. Eight variables including symptoms, treatment belief, hope, meaning-focused coping, family support, friend/peer support, healthcare provider support, and health status were measured. Data were analyzed by paired t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and hierarchical multiple regressions. Results: The mean age of the participants was 47.31 and the average duration of dialysis was 8.27 years. There was no difference in scores on perceived health status between the two year-interval surveys. The two-year follow-up on perceived health status was correlated with baseline perceived health status, friend/peer support, meaning-focused coping, hope, and symptoms. As the result of the regression analysis, friends/peer support (${\beta}=.31$, p=.013) and baseline perceived health status (${\beta}=.30$, p=.020) were found to be significant predictors of subsequent health status which explained 39.0% of the variance. Conclusion: This study suggests the importance of psychosocial resources for positive health outcomes in patients with a chronic illness. Nursing interventions aimed to provide renal peer support need to be developed and tested.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.26-34
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• 2010

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to analyze the impact of shared-decision making on patient satisfaction. The study is significant since it focuses on developing appropriate methodologies and analyzing data to identify patient preferences, with the goals of optimizing treatment selection, and substantiating the relationship between such preferences and their impact on outcomes. Methods: A thorough literature review that developed the framework illustrating key dimensions of shared decision making was followed by a quantitative assessment and regression analysis of patient-perceived satisfaction, and the degree of shared-decision making. Results: A positive association was evident between shared-decision making and patient satisfaction. The impact of shared decision making on patient satisfaction was greater than other variable including gender, education, and number of visits. Conclusions: Patients who participate in care-related decisions and who are given an explanation of their health problems are more likely to be satisfied with their care. It would benefit health care organizations to train their medical professionals in this communication method, and to include it in their practice guidelines.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.268-277
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• 2010

This study was conducted to analyze the cost-utility of ramosetron monotherapy, trimebutine monotherapy and trimebutine+loperamide combination therapy in male diarrhea-predominant patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in Korean healthcare setting. We constructed a decision-analytical model to estimate both total costs for each state of health and outcomes such as IBS-symptoms improvement for 3 and 6 months time horizon. Base analysis found that for ramosetron treatment with the price of KW910 for 5 ${\mu}g$ tablet, incremental cost effectiveness ratios (ICERs, cost per quality-adjusted life day) were KW85,000 and KW62,000 for 3 months and 6 months, respectively, compared with trimebutine. But ramosetron was a dominant strategy when compared with trimebutine+loperamide for both 3 months and 6 months. Sensitivity analyses showed robust results for drug acquisition costs till ramosetron price of KW950/tablet. In conclusion, ramosetron was a cost-effective regimen compared with trimebutine or trimebutine+loperamide from the societal perspective.