Telemedicine is a term of the remote health care, developed in the developed countries to apply the information technology in delivering the health services to remote areas promptly and effectively. There were 2 major trends of development of telemedicine. The firstly, organization of network and transmission way in which the health and medical database such as texts, sound, image…were processed and searched through the local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), Intranet and Internet. The secondly, development of software for database management such as hospital information system (HIS), system of back up, process and exploitation of database for remote diagnosis and treatment (telediagnose) picture archiving and communication system (PACS), Digital imaging and communications in medicine (DICOM). The telemedicine has been developing in the some countries of Asia such as Japan. The China considered particularly in the telemedicine with trend of using the health services by low technology.
Telemedicine ; Life Change Events

Cross-sectional study conducted among 1026 schoolchildren selected from all 9 junior high schools in district 1, Hochiminh City. Recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) rate was 4,2%. Female schoolchildren were more likely to develop RAP than male. Stressful factors associated with RAP were frequently scolded by parents (49,9%), 29,6% frequent sibling quarreling, 29,5% move to new school in the year, 3,7% birth of a sibling in the year. 12,6% schoolchildren were serious diseases. 31,3% schoolchildren were hospitalized
Life Change Events ; Abdominal Pain ; child ; Schools

Stress and trauma research has traditionally focused on negative sequelae of adversity. Recently, research has begun to focus on positive outcomes, specifically post-traumatic growth (PTG) - "positive change experienced as a result of the struggle with trauma" - which emphasizes the transformative potential of one's experiences with highly stressful events and circumstances. This article describes the concept of PTG at three different perspectives. In addition we reviewed the neurobiological factors and mechanism of PTG. It has shown that PTG is mediated by adaptive changes in several neural circuits involving numerous neurotransmitter and molecular pathways. Much more study is required to achieve a deeper understanding the biological and psychological underpinnings of PTG, as well as the interactions between these factors. After all, the clinical phenomenology of PTG is very important for mental growth after trauma. The findings of this article provide further directions for research and clinical implication of PTG.
Fertilization* ; Life Change Events ; Neurobiology* ; Neurotransmitter Agents

Objective: For 1,361 victims of the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, to evaluate the usefulness of seismic intensity information for mental health activities, we examined the quantitative relationship between experienced seismic intensity and earthquake-related life events or mental health. Methods: Questionnaires were administered concerning seismic intensity, life events and mental health to the victims. Results: The incidence of serious life events, such as death of a close family member and mental disorders were higher in areas of high seismic intensity than in low-intensity areas. Victims who experienced intensity 7 (Japan Meteorological Agency) scored 11 or more on the Modified Mercalli (MM) scale, perceived more depressive symptoms [odds ratio (OR) 2.11, 95% confidence interval (95% CI), 1.49−2.98)] and lower mental health status (OR 1.87, 95% CI 1.34−2.61) than those who suffered intensity 4 or less, who scored 7 or less on MM scale after controlling for various sociodemographic factors. Conclusions: Higher seismic intensity was associated with each severe life event and ill mental health among earthquake victims.
Mental Health ; Earthquakes ; Life events ; seconds ; Large

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the meaning of cancer survivors' life experience after being discharged from the primary cancer treatment. METHODS: Data were collected through a tape-recorded in-depth interview from six participants living in Gyeonggi province from September 2007 to January 2008. The analysis of the data was made through the phenomenological analytic method suggested by Colaizzi. RESULTS: Thirteen themes regarding the survivors' life experience were found. From these thirteen themes, six major theme were emerged. The six major theme included 'keeping his/her mind comfortable', 'going ahead with new hope', 'accepting for his/her existing burden', 'maintaining a good health for a new life', 'improving the strength and relationship among the family member', and 'being faithful to his/her religion'. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study would help oncology nurses to understand the cancer survivors' life and to develop a quality of life improvement program for physical, psychosocial, and spiritual aspects of nursing.
Humans ; Life Change Events ; Qualitative Research ; Quality of Life ; Survivors

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a chronic relapsing disorder which is influenced by various external factors. A study involving a large number of patients with objective assessment methods may help us to elucidate correlations between external factors and the course of psoriasis. OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to investigate the basic demographic data of psoriasis in a large number of Korean patients and to correlate disease activity, area of involvement with various external factors known to improve or worsen psoriasis. METHODS: Epidemiological and clinical data with particular reference to the extent and activity of the condition in 1,600 psoriasis patients between 1982 and 1998 were collected and analysed. RESULTS: 1. Patients in their twenties were most common(28.7%). There were no sexual predominance in our patients. 2. With reference to the extent of this skin condition, 43.4% of patients were mild cases, 38.3% were moderate and 18.3% were severe. 3. With reference to the activity, 42.9% of patients were mild cases, 26.5% were moderate and 30.6% were severe. 4. The most common morphological features were nummular types(55.8%), followed by large plaque types(23.4%) and guttate types(14.5%). 5. 57% of patients experienced a11eviation of their lesions in summer while 65% of patients experienced aggravation in winter. 6. 55% of the patients experienced improvement of their lesions in sunlight exposure whereas 7% of the remainder experienced aggravation. 7. 64% of the patients replied that their lesions tend to aggravate after a stressful event. 8. Among those who experienced pregnancy, 40% replied that their lesions improved while being pregnant. On the other hand, 19% experienced aggravation. 9. Severe forms were overwhelming in large plaque types in relation to extent and activity (p<0.05). 10. Among the external factors investigated, stress showed statistically signficant association with the severity of psoriasis classified by extent and severity(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We investigated the epidemiological and clinical features of psoriasis in a large number of Korean patients in relation to various external factors. The condition in more than half of the patients was moderate or severe with reference to the extent and activity. Among external factors, stress seemed to have significant correlations with increased frequency in severe psoriasis patients.
Hand ; Humans ; Life Change Events ; Pregnancy ; Psoriasis* ; Skin ; Sunlight

BACKGROUND: Shift work has been associated with occupational stress in health providers and in those working in some industrial companies. The association is not well established in the law enforcement workforce. Our objective was to examine the association between shift work and police work-related stress. METHODS: The number of stressful events that occurred in the previous month and year was obtained using the Spielberger Police Stress Survey among 365 police officers aged 27-66 years. Work hours were derived from daily payroll records. A dominant shift (day, afternoon, or night) was defined for each participant as the shift with the largest percentage of total time a participant worked (starting time from 4:00 AM to 11:59 AM, from 12 PM to 7:59 PM, and from 8:00 PM to 3:59 AM for day, afternoon, and night shift, respectively) in the previous month or year. Analysis of variance and covariance were used to examine the number of total and subscale (administrative/professional pressure, physical/psychological danger, or organizational support) stressful events across the shift. RESULTS: During the previous month and year, officers working the afternoon and night shifts reported more stressful events than day shift officers for total stress, administrative/professional pressure, and physical/psychological danger (p < 0.05). These differences were independent of age, sex, race/ethnicity, and police rank. The frequency of these stressful events did not differ significantly between officers working the afternoon and night shifts. CONCLUSION: Non-day shift workers may be exposed to more stressful events in this cohort. Interventions to reduce or manage police stress that are tailored by shift may be considered.
Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Law Enforcement ; Life Change Events ; Police*

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to understand the meaning of mind control as it is understood by elderly persons in Korea. METHOD: This study was conducted by engaging three elderly persons who are over the age of sixty five and presently residing in Seoul. Several in depth interviews were conducted with these individuals from March 2003 until November 2003. The contents of the interviews were analyzed using the Giorgi Method (1985), which places the emphasis on discovering meaning within the phenomenological context of an individual's experience. RESULTS: The analysis of the contents revealed the following four components with regard to the meaning of mind control for elderly persons (1) Settling the mind (2) Gradual lowering of expectations and hope for the success of offspring, (3) Having good thoughts and acting accordingly, and (4) Making up one's mind to follow the 'natural flow of life'. CONCLUSION: By allowing a wider and deeper understanding of the meaning of mind control for elderly persons the results of this study provide a basis for improving the care of elderly with a holistic perspective.
Aged* ; Hope ; Humans ; Korea* ; Life Change Events ; Seoul

PURPOSE: A Phenomenological study was conducted to investigate the experiences of infertile women who had an unsuccessful in vitro fertilization (IVF) attempt and the structure of these experiences was identified in a socio-cultural context. METHOD: In-depth interviews were done with five participants from Nov. 1997 to Feb. 1998. Data was recorded and analyzed by Colazzi's method. RESULT: Significant statements were extracted from the data resulting in 4 themes and 11 concepts. The concepts were: 'lack of information', 'unable to anticipate the outcome', 'reaffirmation of need', 'financial strain', 'emotional suppression', 'change of social relationships', 'physical fatigue', 'blaming oneself or God', 'trying different ways', 'famous place shopping', and 'praying to God'. The significant themes of the participants' experiences with IVF emerged as: "uncertainty", "burden", "blaming" and "vigorous desire". CONCLUSION: The results indicate that the care of infertile women with an unsuccessful IVF attempt should be based on a deep understanding of their personal experiences. Also, information on alternative choices should be offered and supported.
Female ; Fertilization in Vitro* ; Humans ; Infertility ; Life Change Events

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to understand the meaning of death experienced by medical and nursing students through end-of-life care practice. METHODS: Data were collected by in-depth interviews with twelve (six nursing and six medical) students. Conventional qualitative content analysis was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: This findings were analyzed in three areas: 'feeling from the word of death', 'color association of death', and 'relation between life and death'. Results were three major themes and sixteen categories from the analysis. Three major themes include 'reality of uncertain death', 'have to leave, and 'new perception about death'. Sixteen categories include 'being well', 'fear', 'unknown', 'boundless', 'being with', 'out of sight', 'new start', 'go back to', 'place going by itself', 'place to meet with', 'being transformed', 'a sense of futility', 'the same point', 'a different point', 'continuous line', and 'a crossroad'. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a number of themes that nursing and medical students reported about the end of life experiences that could be explored as a way of improving end of life care.
Humans ; Life Change Events ; Students, Medical ; Students, Nursing ; Terminal Care