1.Continuing Professional Development of Pharmacists and The Roles of Pharmacy Schools
Korean Journal of Clinical Pharmacy 2022;32(4):281-287
Pharmacists should maintain professional competencies to provide optimal pharmaceutical care services to patients, which can be achieved through continued commitment to lifelong learning. Traditionally continuing education (CE) has been widely used as a way of lifelong learning for many healthcare professionals. It, however, has several limitations. CE is delivered in the form of instructor-led education focused on multiple learners. Learning is passive and reactive for participants, so it sometimes does not lead to bringing behavioral changes in workplace performance. Therefore, recently the concept of lifelong learning tends to move from CE toward continuing professional development (CPD). CPD is an ongoing process that improves knowledge, skills, and competencies throughout a professional’s career. It is a more comprehensive structured approach toward the enhancement of personal competencies. It emphasizes an individual’s learning needs and goals and enables learning to become proactive, conscious, and self-directed. CPD consists of four stages: reflect, plan, learn, and evaluate. CE is one component of CPD. Each stage is recorded in a CPD portfolio. There are many practical difficulties in implementing the complete CPD system for lifelong learning of pharmacists in many countries including Korea. Applying a hybrid form that utilizes CPD and CE together, as in the case of some countries, could be an alternative. Furthermore, in undergraduate pharmacy education, it is necessary to teach students about CPD and train them on how to perform CPD as a pharmacist.
2.Factors That Affect Suicidal Attempt Risk Among Korean Elderly Adults: A Path Analysis.
Junsoo RO ; Jongheon PARK ; Jinsuk LEE ; Hyemin JUNG
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2015;48(1):28-37
OBJECTIVES: Among the Korean elderly (those 65 years of age and older), the suicide rate is 80.3/100 000 people, which is ten times higher than the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average. Because South Korea is rapidly becoming an aging population, this high elderly suicidal rate will only get worse. Although the size of the elderly suicide problem is quite large, previous research in South Korea has surveyed restricted areas and not the entire country. Even though the factors that affect elderly suicide are complicated, there has been little research into these influencing factors. Thus, this research uses the national survey data (Community Health Survey) that was obtained in 2009. Additionally, we analyze factors affecting elderly suicidal ideation and attempts as well as the paths of these effects. METHODS: Community Health Survey data obtained by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in 2009 was used for this study. We additionally examined the factors that affect suicide with chi-squared tests, t-tests, Pearson's correlation test, and path analysis. RESULTS: Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation are the only factors that directly affect suicidal attempts. Demographic, behavioral, and physical activity factors have indirect effects on suicidal attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Depression has the strongest influence on suicidal ideation and attempts. Demographic, behavioral, and physical activity factors affect suicidal attempts mostly through depressive symptoms. In addition, there is a path that suggests that demographic, behavioral, and physical activity factors affect suicidal attempts not through depression symptoms but only through suicidal ideation. This means that the elderly who do not have depression symptoms attempt suicide according to their own situations and characteristics.
Aged
;
Databases, Factual
;
Depression
;
Factor Analysis, Statistical
;
Female
;
Health Behavior
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Models, Theoretical
;
Motor Activity
;
Republic of Korea
;
Risk Factors
;
Suicidal Ideation
;
Suicide, Attempted/psychology/*statistics & numerical data
;
Surveys and Questionnaires
3.Lineage-specific Expression of miR-200 Family in Human Embryonic Stem Cells during In Vitro Differentiation.
Yeji KIM ; Nury KIM ; Sang Wook PARK ; Hyemin KIM ; Han Jin PARK ; Yong Mahn HAN
International Journal of Stem Cells 2017;10(1):28-37
Although microRNAs have emerged as key regulators in diverse cellular processes, the roles of microRNAs are poorly understood in human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) during differentiation into specialized cell types. In this study, we used a microRNA array with 799 human microRNA probes to examine the expression profiles of microRNAs in hESCs during differentiation into endodermal and mesodermal lineages in vitro. Among the microRNAs analyzed, 7 and 20 microRNAs were enriched in the developmental process of hESCs into mesodermal and endodermal lineages, respectively. In particular, the expression levels of miR-200 family, which is known to regulate the epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), gradually increased in hESCs during differentiation into hepatocytes while they gradually decreased during differentiation into vascular endothelial cells. Downregulation of ZEB1, a direct target of miR-200 family, and E-CADHERIN, a target protein of ZEB1, was observed in hESCs during differentiation into endodermal and mesodermal lineages, respectively. These results indicate that miR-200 family has an important role in determining the cell fate between endodermal and mesodermal lineages from the pluripotent state.
Cadherins
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Down-Regulation
;
Endoderm
;
Endothelial Cells
;
Hepatocytes
;
Human Embryonic Stem Cells*
;
Humans
;
Humans*
;
In Vitro Techniques*
;
Mesoderm
;
MicroRNAs
4.Effective Treatment of Solitary Pituitary Metastasis with Panhypopituitarism in HER2-Positive Breast Cancer by Lapatinib.
Youngmok PARK ; Hyemin KIM ; Eui Hyun KIM ; Chang Ok SUH ; Soohyeon LEE
Cancer Research and Treatment 2016;48(1):403-408
Brain metastasis affects one third of patients with HER2-positive breast cancer after treatment with trastuzumab. Surgical resection and radiation therapy are often unsuccessful at accomplishing complete control of metastasis. Lapatinib is presumed to cross the blood-brain barrier, and exhibits clinical activities for treatment of HER2-positive breast cancer. A 43-year-old woman was treated for early breast carcinoma with total mastectomy, axillary lymph-node dissection, and adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide plus doxorubicin. After the end of adjuvant trastuzumab therapy, she was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism due to pituitary metastasis. Surgical removal and whole brain radiation therapy were performed, but a portion of viable tumor remained. Only taking lapatinib, the size of the metastatic lesion began to shrink. Trastuzumab may have controlled the micro-metastasis of breast cancer, but it was unable to control its progression to the central nervous system. Lapatinib is a possible option for HER2-positive metastatic breast cancer patients with brain metastasis.
Adult
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Blood-Brain Barrier
;
Brain
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Breast Neoplasms*
;
Breast*
;
Central Nervous System
;
Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
;
Cyclophosphamide
;
Doxorubicin
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Hypopituitarism
;
Mastectomy, Simple
;
Neoplasm Metastasis*
5.Health disparities between lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults and the general population in South Korea: Rainbow Connection Project I.
Horim YI ; Hyemin LEE ; Jooyoung PARK ; Bokyoung CHOI ; Seung Sup KIM
Epidemiology and Health 2017;39(1):e2017046-
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate health disparities between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults and the general population in Korea, where there is low public acceptance of sexual minorities and a lack of research on the health of sexual minorities. METHODS: The research team conducted a nationwide survey of 2,335 Korean LGB adults in 2016. Using the dataset, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for poor self-rated health, musculoskeletal pain, depressive symptoms, suicidal behaviors, smoking, and hazardous drinking. We then compared the SPRs of the LGB adults and the general population which participated in three different nationally representative surveys in Korea. SPRs were estimated for each of the four groups (i.e., gay men, bisexual men, lesbians, and bisexual women). RESULTS: Korean LGB adults exhibited a statistically significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and attempts, and musculoskeletal pain than the general population. Lesbian and bisexual women had a higher risk of poor self-rated health and smoking than the general women population, whereas gay and bisexual men showed no differences with the general men population. Higher prevalence of hazardous drinking was observed among lesbians, gay men, and bisexual women compared to the general population, but was not observed in bisexual men. CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that LGB adults have poorer health conditions compared to the general population in Korea. These results suggest that interventions are needed to address the health disparities of Korean LGB adults.
Adult*
;
Bisexuality*
;
Dataset
;
Depression
;
Drinking
;
Female
;
Health Status Disparities
;
Homosexuality*
;
Homosexuality, Female*
;
Humans
;
Korea*
;
Male
;
Minority Health
;
Musculoskeletal Pain
;
Prevalence
;
Republic of Korea
;
Smoke
;
Smoking
;
Suicidal Ideation
6.Health disparities between lesbian, gay, and bisexual adults and the general population in South Korea: Rainbow Connection Project I
Horim YI ; Hyemin LEE ; Jooyoung PARK ; Bokyoung CHOI ; Seung Sup KIM
Epidemiology and Health 2017;39(1):2017046-
OBJECTIVES: This study aims to investigate health disparities between lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults and the general population in Korea, where there is low public acceptance of sexual minorities and a lack of research on the health of sexual minorities.METHODS: The research team conducted a nationwide survey of 2,335 Korean LGB adults in 2016. Using the dataset, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence ratios (SPRs) for poor self-rated health, musculoskeletal pain, depressive symptoms, suicidal behaviors, smoking, and hazardous drinking. We then compared the SPRs of the LGB adults and the general population which participated in three different nationally representative surveys in Korea. SPRs were estimated for each of the four groups (i.e., gay men, bisexual men, lesbians, and bisexual women).RESULTS: Korean LGB adults exhibited a statistically significantly higher prevalence of depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and attempts, and musculoskeletal pain than the general population. Lesbian and bisexual women had a higher risk of poor self-rated health and smoking than the general women population, whereas gay and bisexual men showed no differences with the general men population. Higher prevalence of hazardous drinking was observed among lesbians, gay men, and bisexual women compared to the general population, but was not observed in bisexual men.CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that LGB adults have poorer health conditions compared to the general population in Korea. These results suggest that interventions are needed to address the health disparities of Korean LGB adults.
Adult
;
Bisexuality
;
Dataset
;
Depression
;
Drinking
;
Female
;
Health Status Disparities
;
Homosexuality
;
Homosexuality, Female
;
Humans
;
Korea
;
Male
;
Minority Health
;
Musculoskeletal Pain
;
Prevalence
;
Republic of Korea
;
Smoke
;
Smoking
;
Suicidal Ideation
7.Clinical significance of hemoglobin decrease in emergency department elderly hip fracture patients
Hyemin PARK ; Hui Jai LEE ; Soong Joon LEE ; Jongwhan SHIN ; Kyoung Min YOU
Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine 2023;34(3):276-285
Objective:
Decreases in the hemoglobin level compared to the pre-injury lab results are often observed in patients with elderly hip fractures visiting the emergency department (ED). This decrease could be the outcome of the fracture itself or a complication caused by comorbidities. This study examined whether significant hemoglobin decreases, as detected in the ED, are related to other-than-hip-fracture bleeding focus or clinical outcomes.
Methods:
The electronic medical records were reviewed retrospectively at a single university ED from January 2012 to March 2019. ED diagnoses of hip fractures were screened and enrolled if the patient was 60 years or older and had hemoglobin levels recorded within the previous 6 months. A significant decrease in the hemoglobin level is defined as more than 2 g/dL.
Results:
Three hundred patients were enrolled in this study. Significant hemoglobin decreases were apparent in 43 patients (14.3%). Only four patients (1.3%) had an other-than-hip-fracture bleeding focus. One of those had a significant hemoglobin decrease. In a “significant decrease” versus “non-significant decrease” intergroup comparison, length of hospital stays (median and interquartile range: 17.0 [15.0-21.5] vs. 17.0 [12.0-21.0], P=0.55), survival discharge (4.7% vs. 2.3%, P=0.72), and other-than-hip-fracture bleeding focus (2.3% vs. 1.2%, P>0.99) did not differ significantly.
Conclusion
A decrease in hemoglobin level is common among elderly hip fracture patients. On the other hand, the incidence of other-than-hip-fracture bleeding focus was rare and unrelated to a decrease in significant hemoglobin levels. Similarly, neither the hospital length of stay nor survival discharge was unrelated to the hemoglobin level decrease.
8.Necessity of Analyzing the Korea Community Health Survey Using 7 Local Government Types
Seowoo PARK ; Haibin BAI ; Jae-ryun LEE ; Soomin KIM ; Hyemin JUNG ; Jin Yong LEE
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2025;58(1):83-91
Objectives:
This study examined the potential of a new analytical framework for the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) with classification criteria for the sub-national governmental level, the degree of urbanization including an urban-rural multimodal category, and population size as a more effective tool to address local health problems and deduce practical implications.
Methods:
Retrospective survey data from 2023 KCHS were obtained. Frequency analyses were performed for self-rated good health status, current smoking status, and unmet medical needs as proxies for health status, as well as health behavior and healthcare utilization, utilizing individual weights to represent national community residents.
Results:
We established a new classification of local governments into 7 types to facilitate regional comparisons. These local government types are presumably composed of populations showing statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. There were evident differences in health status, health behavior, and healthcare utilization in comparisons of groups categorized by local government types.
Conclusions
This study suggests that regional disparities can be analyzed using a new typology of local governments. This practically effective approach could be used in decision-making for community-centered health projects in terms of community health planning. Future research should conduct analyses of KCHS data that use these 7 local government types to comprehensively reflect regional characteristics.
9.Necessity of Analyzing the Korea Community Health Survey Using 7 Local Government Types
Seowoo PARK ; Haibin BAI ; Jae-ryun LEE ; Soomin KIM ; Hyemin JUNG ; Jin Yong LEE
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2025;58(1):83-91
Objectives:
This study examined the potential of a new analytical framework for the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) with classification criteria for the sub-national governmental level, the degree of urbanization including an urban-rural multimodal category, and population size as a more effective tool to address local health problems and deduce practical implications.
Methods:
Retrospective survey data from 2023 KCHS were obtained. Frequency analyses were performed for self-rated good health status, current smoking status, and unmet medical needs as proxies for health status, as well as health behavior and healthcare utilization, utilizing individual weights to represent national community residents.
Results:
We established a new classification of local governments into 7 types to facilitate regional comparisons. These local government types are presumably composed of populations showing statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. There were evident differences in health status, health behavior, and healthcare utilization in comparisons of groups categorized by local government types.
Conclusions
This study suggests that regional disparities can be analyzed using a new typology of local governments. This practically effective approach could be used in decision-making for community-centered health projects in terms of community health planning. Future research should conduct analyses of KCHS data that use these 7 local government types to comprehensively reflect regional characteristics.
10.Necessity of Analyzing the Korea Community Health Survey Using 7 Local Government Types
Seowoo PARK ; Haibin BAI ; Jae-ryun LEE ; Soomin KIM ; Hyemin JUNG ; Jin Yong LEE
Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health 2025;58(1):83-91
Objectives:
This study examined the potential of a new analytical framework for the Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS) with classification criteria for the sub-national governmental level, the degree of urbanization including an urban-rural multimodal category, and population size as a more effective tool to address local health problems and deduce practical implications.
Methods:
Retrospective survey data from 2023 KCHS were obtained. Frequency analyses were performed for self-rated good health status, current smoking status, and unmet medical needs as proxies for health status, as well as health behavior and healthcare utilization, utilizing individual weights to represent national community residents.
Results:
We established a new classification of local governments into 7 types to facilitate regional comparisons. These local government types are presumably composed of populations showing statistically significant differences in demographic characteristics. There were evident differences in health status, health behavior, and healthcare utilization in comparisons of groups categorized by local government types.
Conclusions
This study suggests that regional disparities can be analyzed using a new typology of local governments. This practically effective approach could be used in decision-making for community-centered health projects in terms of community health planning. Future research should conduct analyses of KCHS data that use these 7 local government types to comprehensively reflect regional characteristics.