Purpose: This study aimed to explore intensive care unit nurses' perceptions of end-of-life care and to identify strategies for improving patient comfort in the intensive care unit. Methods: This was a mixed-methods study comprising two phases. In Phase 1, we conducted focus group interviews to investigate how intensive care unit nurses perceived end-of-life care and its specific components within an intensive care unit setting. Phase 2 involved a descriptive questionnaire, utilizing items derived from the focus group interviews to assess how intensive care unit nurses evaluated the components of end-of-life care they provided in the intensive care unit. Results: The findings of the study’s two phases revealed that in end-of-life care, nurses aimed to provide comfort by connecting patients with their families, spiritual beliefs, social networks, and life experiences, while addressing challenges within the broader scope of nursing practice in the intensive care unit. Conclusion This study examined intensive care unit nurses' perceptions of end-of-life care, the elements of end-of-life care, their practical implementation, and the associated priorities. These findings will help nurses in intensive care units determine and organize priorities in end-of-life care. For patients facing death in the intensive care unit and for the nurses who care for them, the obstacles involved in end-of-life care must be better overcome.

Background: As society ages, the incidence of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias has surged, highlighting the importance of early dementia diagnosis. The Seoul Cognitive Status Test (SCST), a digital neuropsychological test, is designed for the early detection of cognitive impairment and has been standardized to establish reliability and validity. This study aims to verify whether the SCST effectively discriminates between groups based on three cognitive statuses (subjective cognitive decline [SCD], mild cognitive impairment [MCI], Dementia) in a large sample. We also seek to determine whether the SCST discriminates between individuals with three different cognitive statuses as defined by the Cognitive Dementia Rating (CDR). Methods: We enrolled 254 participants from a dementia clinic who underwent a comprehensive neuropsychological battery (Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-II) during the dementia evaluation by experienced neurologists (55 with SCD, 126 with MCI, 73 with dementia). In addition, the degree of cognitive decline in participants was classified by CDR level (186 with CDR 0.5, 52 with CDR 1, 15 with CDR 2). One-way analysis of variance was used to compare SCST scores according to each of the three cognitive status groups and CDR levels. Results: The SCST total score, cognitive domain scores (attention, language, visuospatial function, memory, executive function), and most of the subtest scores decreased significantly in the order of SCD, MCI and dementia. Likewise, the differences in SCST scores between CDR levels were significant, particularly in distinguishing between CDR 0.5 and CDR 1. Conclusion This study reaffirmed that the SCST can significantly discriminate between groups of individuals with SCD, MCI, and dementia based on a large sample. Furthermore, differences in SCT scores were found across the levels of CDR, confirming the clinical utility of the SCST. These findings suggest that the SCST is an efficient and useful neuropsychological test for the sensitive detection of early cognitive impairment.

Purpose: The importance of wound care as a part of end-of-life care is rising due to aging populations and increased chronic disease prevalence. This study developed a comprehensive competency framework on palliative wound care for nursing staff within long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Methods: The study utilized a three-phased exploratory methods approach involving topic modeling, expert interviews, and a Delphi survey. Results: Four key competencies emerged regarding nursing competency for palliative wound care in LTCFs: (1) building partnerships with patients and caregivers, (2) an individual approach to wound treatment based on understanding the patient's situation, (3) a holistic approach through shared information and cooperative decision-making, and (4) integration of wound management knowledge within end-of-life care. Conclusion This framework supports developing targeted training programs for nurses to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients in LTCFs.

Purpose: The importance of wound care as a part of end-of-life care is rising due to aging populations and increased chronic disease prevalence. This study developed a comprehensive competency framework on palliative wound care for nursing staff within long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Methods: The study utilized a three-phased exploratory methods approach involving topic modeling, expert interviews, and a Delphi survey. Results: Four key competencies emerged regarding nursing competency for palliative wound care in LTCFs: (1) building partnerships with patients and caregivers, (2) an individual approach to wound treatment based on understanding the patient's situation, (3) a holistic approach through shared information and cooperative decision-making, and (4) integration of wound management knowledge within end-of-life care. Conclusion This framework supports developing targeted training programs for nurses to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients in LTCFs.

Purpose: The importance of wound care as a part of end-of-life care is rising due to aging populations and increased chronic disease prevalence. This study developed a comprehensive competency framework on palliative wound care for nursing staff within long-term care facilities (LTCFs). Methods: The study utilized a three-phased exploratory methods approach involving topic modeling, expert interviews, and a Delphi survey. Results: Four key competencies emerged regarding nursing competency for palliative wound care in LTCFs: (1) building partnerships with patients and caregivers, (2) an individual approach to wound treatment based on understanding the patient's situation, (3) a holistic approach through shared information and cooperative decision-making, and (4) integration of wound management knowledge within end-of-life care. Conclusion This framework supports developing targeted training programs for nurses to improve the quality of life for terminally ill patients in LTCFs.

Background: and Purpose: We developed a new digital cognitive assessment called Seoul Cognitive Status Test (SCST), formerly called Inbrain Cognitive Screening Test. The purpose of this study was to validate the clinical utility of the SCST by comparing its scores of those with subjective cognitive decline (SCD), amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI), and dementia diagnosed by the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Packet (CERAD-K). Methods: All participants (n=296) who completed the CERAD-K, SCST, and Instrumental Activities of Daily Living tests were included in this study. Total score, cognitive domain scores, and subtest scores of the SCST were compared among the 3 groups (SCD, aMCI, and dementia). Additionally, correlations between SCST and CERAD-K subtests were examined. Results: Cognitive domain scores and total score of the SCST showed significant differences among the three groups, with scores being the highest in the order of SCD, aMCI, and dementia (p<0.001). Most subtests of the SCST also showed higher scores in the order of SCD, aMCI, and dementia (p<0.001). However, SCD and aMCI groups showed no significant differences in scores of the Phonemic Word Fluency Test (p=0.083) or Korean Trail Making Test-Elderly version Part A (p=0.434). Additionally, there was no significant difference in the score of Place Recognition (p=0.274) of the Word-Place Association Test between aMCI and dementia groups. Conclusions In conclusion, differences in total score, cognitive domain scores, and subtest scores of the SCST among the 3 groups of participants diagnosed using CERAD-K confirm the clinical utility of the SCST for cognitive assessment.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology, with additive manufacturing, can aid in the production of various kinds of patient-specific medical devices and implants in medical fields, which cannot be covered by mass production systems for producing conventional devices/implants. The simulator-based medical image demonstrates the anatomical structure of the disease, which can be used for education, diagnosis, preparation of treatment plan and preoperative surgical guide, etc. The surgical guide is used as a patient-specific medical device for guiding incision, resection, insertion, and marking. As 3D printers can output materials that can be inserted into the human body, the patient-specific implant device that reflects the patient's anatomy and surgical plan could be of relevance. In addition, patient-specific aids, including gibs, splints, prostheses, and epitheses, could be used for a better outcome. Finally, bio-printing is also used to cultivate cells to produce functional artificial tissues.