• Korean Journal of Child Studies
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• v.2
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• pp.83-103
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• 1981

1. Outline of the Study A boom of baby hotels is taking place in Japan. Baby hotel means day care centers that renders services day and night for babies of working mothers. These baby hotels are thriving because many mothers welcome the system because of their needs. However, accidents occurred in a row recently and therefore baby hotel has suddenly become a social issue. According to the ministry of health welfare, there are 587 baby hotels in Japan accommodating about 10,000 children and they are mostly located around amusement centers. The reasons that these baby hotels thrive in spite of the fact that there are 22,000 day care centers in Japan are : (1) shortage of day care centers compared to the needs (2) most centers do not take in babies below 1 year. This study aims to describe the present status of the baby hotels and the background of the phenomena that made it possible for them to thrive with no permission from the government. This study mostly deals with the phenomena in Tokyo. 2. Day Care Policy in Japan and the Problems of Baby Hotels The present review deals with the problems from the following 6 dementions. (1) the shortage of day care centers (2) inadequate system for the care of babies (3) inadequate daily hours of day care centers (4) Unflexable enrollment system of day care centers (5) imperfect enfollment process & guidelines (6) lack of alternative institutions 3. Result The Ministry of Health & Welfare affered the following ways to cape with the problems of baby hotels : (1) restraint of the baby hotels (2) utilization of existing day care centers for the care of babies. In my opinion, these suggestions seem too superficial in solving the problems. I would rather suggest that the Japanese government review the whole system of child welfare administration. The Child welfare Law of Japan made a clear statement in its article 24 that, "if day care centers are not available, alternative institution for proper care of children must be sought for." My suggestions for the alternative care are : (1) public nursing rooms (2) family day care (3) extention of kindergarten hours (4) foster family care.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.31-34
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to review health-care program using the recent robotic horse-riding technology and its clinical effects for chronic low back pain. Research design, data and methodology: Recent clinical articles were determined under three inclusion criteria for in-depth review: 1) article that is published within 1 year, 2) article that includes the detailed explanation of health-care program using robotic horse-riding, 3) the article that deals with chronic low back pain during more than 6 months. Results: As a result, the finally-determined two articles demonstrated the clinical effects of robotic horse-riding statistically on pain intensity, low back muscle strength, spinal alignment, and fear-avoidance belief. Conclusions: After in-depth review, I concluded that health-care program using robotic horse-riding for chronic low back pain needs to be provided at low-intensity (e.g. less than 6km/h horse walking program) in the beginning of health-care for improving their motor control ability, then, at the increased intensity for strengthening core muscles.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.4
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• pp.430-441
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to perform a concept analysis of quality nursing care. Methods: Walker and Avant's concept analysis method was used to carry out this study. Results: The defining attributes identified were as follows: caring, the nurse-patient relationship, and patient needs. Antecedents included patient characteristics, individual factors (age, education, knowledge, competence, and experience), job position, and environmental factors. The consequences of quality nursing care have significant influence on both patients and nurses. Conclusion: The findings can aid researchers in obtaining a better understanding of quality nursing care, and stakeholders can consider the factors related to quality nursing care and its consequences to improve the nursing process.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.35 no.8
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• pp.1493-1499
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• 2005

Background. Adequate staffing is necessary to meet patient care needs and provide safe, quality nursing care. In November 1999, the Korean government implemented a new staffing policy that differentiates nursing fees for inpatients based on nurse-to-bed ratios. The purpose was to prevent hospitals from delegating nursing care to family members of patients or paid caregivers, and ultimately deteriorating the quality of nursing care services. Purpose. To examine nurse staffing levels and related factors including hospital, nursing and medical staff, and financial characteristics. Methods. A cross-sectional design was employed using two administrative databases, Medical Care Institution Database and Medical Claims Data for May 1-31, 2002. Nurse staffing was graded from 1 to 6, based on grading criteria of nurse-to-bed ratios provided by the policy. The study sample consisted of 42 tertiary and 186 general acute care hospitals. Results. None of tertiary or general hospitals gained the highest nurse staffing of Grade 1 (i.e., less than 2 beds per nurse in tertiary hospitals; less than 2.5 beds per nurse in general hospitals). Two thirds of the general hospitals had the lowest staffing of Grade 6 (i.e., 4 or more beds per nurse in tertiary hospitals; 4.5 or more beds per nurse in general hospitals). Tertiary hospitals were better staffed than general hospitals, and private hospitals had higher staffing levels compared to public hospitals. Large-sized general hospitals located in metropolitan areas had higher staffing than other general hospitals. Occupancy rate was positively related to nurse staffing. A negative relationship between nursing assistant and nurse staffing was found in general hospitals. A greater number of physician specialists were associated with better nurse staffing. Conclusions. The staffing policy needs to be evaluated and modified to make it more effective in leading hospitals to increase nurse staffing.

• Journal of Genetic Medicine
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.23-26
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• 1998

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) is an autosomal dominant neuromuscular disorder which has been clinically shown to cause progressive weakness and result in atrophy of the facial muscles, shoulder girdle and upper arm muscles. The responsible gene for the FSHD has been located on chromosome 4q35-qter. The probes p13E-11 and pFR-1 detect DNA rearrangements associated with FSHD as under 28 kb DNA fragment in genomic southern analysis digested with EcoRI and the fragment contains 3.3 kb Kpn I tandem repeats. In this study, 4 fetuses with a family history of FSHD were analysed by genomic southern hybridization analysis with probes to determine whether they carried the deleted region. Of the 4 fetuses, three of them had mothers who were FSHD patients and the other one had a father affected with FSHD. After 10-11 weeks of gestation, we performed chorionic villi sampling and extracted DNA from uncultured and cultured tissue cells for the direct DNA analysis. The result of the southern analysis showed two fetuses having received about 15-18 kb of deleted genes from the father and the mother respectively, and found to be FSHD patients. The other two fetuses were shown to have two normal alleles from the parents and found to be normal. Two pregnancies which were determined to be normal were carried to term delivering two healthy babies.

• Korean Journal of Hospice Care
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.6-14
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• 2007

Purpose: Hepatocellular carcinoma is the 3rd leading cause of cancer death in Korea and its prognosis is very poor. We aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of terminal patients with hepatocellular carcinoma on admission into a hospice unit, and to know if they had received appropriate hospice and palliative care. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records in 62 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who had admitted, received palliative care, and died in a hospice unit between January 2003 and December 2005. Results: The median age of patients was 56.5 years with 50 men(80.65%) and 12 women(19.35%) and gender ratio(male to female) was 417. Child-Pugh class A, B, and C were 6(9.68%), 22(35.38%), and 34(58.84%) respectively. We divided the patients into two groups and compared, the terminal HCC patients with class C as group I and those with class A & B as group 2. The median time from hospice referral to death was significantly short in group 1 with 15.5 days compared to group 2 with 53 days. Statistically more prevalent symptoms in group I were ascites, dyspnea, peripheral edema, and hepatic encephalopathy with abnormal laboratory findings (jaundice, hypoalbuminemia, or renal insufficiency). There, however, was no significant difference in complications and managements during admission between group 1 and 2. Conclusion: Most terminal HCC patients were often accompanied with chronic liver disease. The length of hospice and palliative care for above patients was not enough to attend them. Therefore, we suggest that proper education and information should be provided to physicians, patients, and their family members for effective hospice and palliative care.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Child Welfare
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• no.57
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• pp.9-42
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• 2017

The purpose of this study is to understand the life experience of youth who discharged from out-of-home-care and lived as the unemployed NEET(Not in Education, Employment or Training) youth not established in life. For this study, we collected in-depth interviews with five youth in career moratorium or early discharge from out-of-home care. The results of the study were as follows: we divided into six themes such as "I cannot lean on family of origin", "unstable life", "strayed by wandering and prejudice", "I need someone to rely on", "belated regrets", and "constantly dreaming of resurgence"; and the six themes were analyzed separately in the sub-categories. As a result, we found out that the youth in career moratorium lived a life of regret and recovery in the unstable life journey. Based upon the results, we suggested social welfare practice and policy implications in order to systematically support the NEET youth after discharge from out-of-home-care.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.15-26
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to distinguish and describe the types of perceptions of do not resuscitate (DNR) proxy decisions among families of elderly patients in a long-term care facility. Methods: This exploratory study applied Q-methodology, which focuses on individual subjectivity. Thirty-four Q-statements were selected from 130 Q-populations formed based on the results of in-depth interviews and literature reviews. The P-samples were 34 families of elderly patients in a long-term care hospital in Busan, Korea. They categorized the Q-statements using a 9-point scale. Using the PC-QUANL program, factor analysis was performed with the P-samples along an axis. Results: The families' perceptions of the DNR proxy decision were categorized into three types. Type I, rational acceptance, valued consensus among family members based on comprehensive support from medical staff. Type II, psychological burden, involved hesitance in making a DNR proxy decision because of negative emotions and psychological conflict. Type III, discreet decisions, valued the patients' right to self-determination and desire for a legitimate proxy decision. Type I included 18 participants, which was the most common type, and types II and III each included eight participants. Conclusion: Families' perceptions of DNR proxy decisions vary, requiring tailored care and intervention. We suggest developing and providing interventions that may psychologically support families.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.216-229
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• 2023

Background: The role of the sympathetic nervous system appears to be central in causing pain in complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS). The stellate ganglion block (SGB) using additives with local anesthetics is an established treatment modality. However, literature is sparse in support of selective benefits of different additives for SGB. Hence, the authors aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of clonidine with methylprednisolone as additives to ropivacaine in the SGB for treatment of CRPS. Methods: A prospective randomized single blinded study (the investigator blinded to the study groups) was conducted among patients with CRPS-I of the upper limb, aged 18-70 years with American Society of Anaesthesiologists physical status I-III. Clonidine (15 ㎍) and methylprednisolone (40 mg) were compared as additives to 0.25% ropivacaine (5 mL) for SGB. After medical treatment for two weeks, patients in each of the two groups were given seven ultrasound guided SGBs on alternate days. Results: There was no significant difference between the two groups with respect to visual analogue scale score, edema, or overall patient satisfaction. After 1.5 months follow-up, however, the group that received methylprednisolone had better improvement in range of motion. No significant side effects were seen with either drug. Conclusions: The use of additives, both methylprednisolone and clonidine, is safe and effective for the SGB in CRPS. The significantly better improvement in joint mobility with methylprednisolone suggests that it should be considered promising as an additive to local anaesthetics when joint mobility is the concern.

• Maxillofacial Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.243-248
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• 1989

This is a report of 2 cases on old maxilla fractures accompanied with sagittal palatal fracture and severe malocclusion. We treated them by using of classic Le Fort I osteotomy and modified Le Fort I osteotomy along the old fracture lines satisfactorily. The results obtained from treatment are as follows : 1. Careful examination and correct care on sagittal palatal fracture should be need during initial diagnosis and emergency care of maxilla fracture showed malocclusion. 2. Although early definite treatment of maxilla injuries is difficult due to major organ injuries associated with accident, the positive effort to induce normal occlusion is always necessary as soon as possible. 3. In the cases of malocclusion due to transverse discrepancy of maxillary dentition associated with injury as like as our cases, classic and modified Le Fort I osteotomy and rigid internal fixation were useful to correct occlusion, to ease operation and return normal functions early.