The purpose of this study was to understand barrier factors affecting nutrition education jobs and determining priorities according to frequency of occurrence of obstacles. Focus group interview (FGI) was conducted on 11 nutrition teachers, and the result are summarized by the phenomenological analysis method. The barriers of nutrition education consisted of three categories, seven themes, and 10 sub-themes. The three categories were divided into work burden, recognition of nutrition education, and limitations of the nutrition education environment. Recognition of nutrition education was further divided into internal recognition from nutrition teachers and individual and external recognition from students and staff. The results showed that the most frequent barrier experienced by nutrition teachers in the work burden category was heavy work loads of foodservice management, followed by irrational working environment. In addition, limitations of the nutrition education environment consisted of absence of standard curriculum and textbooks, inadequate education infrastructure, and inadequate class time. To improve this, it is necessary to reduce nutrition teacher's food service management and develop standard curriculum and educational materials for nutrition education.
Curriculum ; Education* ; Focus Groups ; Food Services ; Humans ; Methods

PURPOSE: This study was describes the development and implementation a sex education program with a blended learning method for university students. METHODS: Sixty-eight university students were recruited either to the experimental group (n=35) or the control group (n=33). This program was developed based on the analysis, design, development, implementation, and evaluation model. The analysis phase consisted of a literature review, focus group interview, expert consultations, and target group survey. In addition, learning objectives and structure were designed, and a printed text-book, presentation slides, cross-word puzzle, and debate topics were developed. In the implementation phase, the program was conducted 3 times over the course of 3 weeks. The evaluation phase involved verification of the effects of the program on sex-related knowledge, sexual autonomy, and justification of violence, as well as an assessment of satisfaction with the program. RESULTS: The experimental group had significantly higher scores on sex-related knowledge (t=5.47, p < .001), sexual autonomy (t=2.40, p=.019), and justification of violence (t=2.52, p=.015) than the control group. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that this sex education program with blended learning was effective in meeting the needs of university students and can be widely used in this context.
Focus Groups ; Humans ; Learning* ; Methods ; Referral and Consultation ; Sex Education* ; Violence

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a qualitative study to explore the feasibility of mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet. METHODS: We conducted in-depth and focus group interviews with eight laymen who had used mobile dietary applications and eight experts. Interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using an open coding method. RESULTS: The qualitative data of our study revealed two key themes: (1) perceptions, opinions and attitudes towards mobile applications of self-monitoring of diet and (2) future directions to improve mobile applications. CONCLUSIONS: Our qualitative study suggested the potential use of mobile applications as a food-tracking and dietary monitoring tool and the need for improved mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet. The results of our study may provide insights into how to technically improve mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet, how to utilize dietary data generated through mobile applications, and how to improve individual's health though mobile applications.
Clinical Coding ; Diet ; Focus Groups ; Methods ; Mobile Applications

OBJECTIVES: We conducted a qualitative study to explore the feasibility of mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet. METHODS: We conducted in-depth and focus group interviews with eight laymen who had used mobile dietary applications and eight experts. Interviews were audio-recorded and analyzed using an open coding method. RESULTS: The qualitative data of our study revealed two key themes: (1) perceptions, opinions and attitudes towards mobile applications of self-monitoring of diet and (2) future directions to improve mobile applications. CONCLUSIONS: Our qualitative study suggested the potential use of mobile applications as a food-tracking and dietary monitoring tool and the need for improved mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet. The results of our study may provide insights into how to technically improve mobile applications for self-monitoring of diet, how to utilize dietary data generated through mobile applications, and how to improve individual's health though mobile applications.
Clinical Coding ; Diet ; Focus Groups ; Methods ; Mobile Applications

OBJECTIVE: Written information could be helpful for senior population to adhere to complex medication therapies, but must be well prepared and empirically assessed to achieve such end. We purposed to develop a drug information leaflet for senior citizens by applying 'performance-based user-testing.' METHODS: We employed a user-testing, a mixed method to figure difficulties out with patients' leaflets from the user perspective. The cycle made of test and revision can be repeated as necessary. We recruited senior citizens with age of 65 or above who were taking antihypertensive medications at the point of participating and excluded the elderly who suffered illiteracy. We firstly rectified a drug information leaflet of antihypertensive medications for the general public distributed by the Korean authority based on focus group interviews (9 participants). The revised leaflets were tested four times with 8~12 participants in each round (40 seniors in total). We targeted to develop a leaflet which more than 80% of participants understood 10 key information. Main outcomes measures were to be able to find information and be able to understand information. This study was approved by the Yeungnam University Research Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Focus group interviews identified difficulties with small font of words, professional language, long information, and a poor structure. The leaflet was revised and in the first round questionnaire found problems with 4/10 information points; interviews disclosed all but one (normal blood pressure range) were ill-understood. The second round questionnaire and interview found fewer problems but the comprehensiveness of participants was still poor in several points. For the third and fourth rounds we revised the leaflets in the individual-targeted manner. Finally, the fourth round showed all key information found and understood by at least 80% of participants except one question about drug name. CONCLUSION: The drug leaflets need to be developed in a personalized mode for the seniors. There was a limit for Korean seniors to understand nonproprietary name of their drugs because they used to producers' trade names which the Korean health system predominantly works with.
Aged ; Antihypertensive Agents* ; Blood Pressure ; Ethics Committees, Research ; Focus Groups ; Health Literacy ; Humans ; Literacy ; Methods

PURPOSE: This study aimed at characterizing Korean nurses' occupational responsibilities to apply the results for improvement of the Korean Nursing Licensing Examination. METHODS: First, the contents of nursing job were defined based on a focus group interview of 15 nurses. Developing a Curriculum (DACOM) method was used to examine those results and produce the questionnaire by 13 experts. After that, the questionnaire survey to 5,065 hospital nurses was done. RESULTS: The occupational responsibilities of nurses were characterized as involving 8 duties, 49 tasks, and 303 task elements. Those 8 duties are nursing management and professional development, safety and infection control, the management of potential risk factors, basic nursing and caring, the maintenance of physiological integrity, medication and parenteral treatments, socio-psychological integrity, and the maintenance and improvement of health. CONCLUSION: The content of Korean Nursing Licensing Examination should be improved based on 8 duties and 49 tasks of the occupational responsibilities of Korean nurses.
Curriculum ; Focus Groups ; Infection Control ; Job Description ; Korea ; Licensure* ; Licensure, Nursing ; Methods ; Nursing* ; Risk Factors

PURPOSE: The purpose of this mixed method study was to examine effects of the self-transcendence enhancement program among patients with drug addiction, and to explore their experiences through the program. METHODS: For the quantitative study, a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used. The sample was 49 hospitalized patients with drug addiction. The self-transcendence enhancement program was provided twice a week for 6 weeks. Quantitative data were analyzed using χ² test, t-test and ANCOVA. For the qualitative study, 12 patients in the experimental group participated in a focus group interview, and data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. RESULTS: After the intervention, there were significant improvements for the experimental group in self-transcendence and declines in depression compared to the control group. From the qualitative findings three themes were identified as the change process after the intervention: ‘looking back at myself’, ‘gaining confidence through small changes’, and ‘finding meaning in life’. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the self-transcendence enhancement program can be utilized as a nursing intervention program for patients with drug addiction.
Depression ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Methods* ; Nursing ; Self Concept ; Spirituality ; Substance-Related Disorders*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this mixed method study was to examine effects of the self-transcendence enhancement program among patients with drug addiction, and to explore their experiences through the program. METHODS: For the quantitative study, a non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used. The sample was 49 hospitalized patients with drug addiction. The self-transcendence enhancement program was provided twice a week for 6 weeks. Quantitative data were analyzed using χ² test, t-test and ANCOVA. For the qualitative study, 12 patients in the experimental group participated in a focus group interview, and data were analyzed using the content analysis technique. RESULTS: After the intervention, there were significant improvements for the experimental group in self-transcendence and declines in depression compared to the control group. From the qualitative findings three themes were identified as the change process after the intervention: ‘looking back at myself’, ‘gaining confidence through small changes’, and ‘finding meaning in life’. CONCLUSION: Results suggest that the self-transcendence enhancement program can be utilized as a nursing intervention program for patients with drug addiction.
Depression ; Focus Groups ; Humans ; Methods* ; Nursing ; Self Concept ; Spirituality ; Substance-Related Disorders*

PURPOSE: To explore how young adults in their 20s adjust to hemophilia. METHOD: Grounded theory method guided the data collection and analysis. A purposeful sample of 15 young adults with hemophilia participated during the period of 2000-2001. The data were collected by semi-structured individual interviews, focus group interviews, and participant observations. All interviews were audio taped and transcribed verbatim. Constant comparative analysis was employed to analyze the data. RESULT: "Living like a normal person" emerged as the basic social-psychological process. Two dimensions of the self were identified: normal self and abnormal self. "Living like a normal person" means conscious effort to focus on normal self rather than abnormal self. Five subcategories were identified : 1) pretending as if he is not hemophiliac; 2) relieving the burden; 3) maintaining best physical conditions; 4) becoming independent; and 5) reconciliating with their mothers. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that young adults with hemophilia strive for living a life as a normal person. But there is a question whether it is good for their ultimate quality of life. The results indicate that our society needs to be more tolerant to differences that hemophiliacs have.
Data Collection ; Focus Groups ; Grounded Theory ; Hemophilia A* ; Humans ; Methods ; Mothers ; Quality of Life ; Social Adjustment ; Young Adult*

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of perception of nursing students' rights participating in clinical practice.METHODS: This descriptive study carried out purposeful sampling. The participants were 17 nursing students, who had experience of participating in clinical practice for more than 12 weeks. Data were collected through focus group interviews. Twelve subjects were in their third year and five in their fourth year. All were practicing in secondary general and tertiary university hospitals. The data were analyzed using classical content analysis method.RESULTS: The researchers extracted 23 codes representing the nursing students' rights of clinical practice, which were grouped into 4 categories and 11 subcategories. The 4 categories were ‘deep disappointment as an alienated person in a clinical field’, ‘clinical practice experience that cannot be given up despite difficulties’, ‘need for a practice environment that takes care of nursing students’, and ‘hope for support, advocacy and respect’.CONCLUSION: Nursing students cannot claim rights at this time, but expressed the desire to build a support system so that these parts can be improved in the future. Therefore, nursing education institutions and clinical fields should maintain diverse efforts through reciprocal relationships.
Education, Nursing ; Emigrants and Immigrants ; Focus Groups ; Hospitals, University ; Human Rights ; Humans ; Methods ; Nursing ; Students, Nursing