This research was initiated as a preliminary work-up of information system development for primary health care delivery by community health practitioners in rural areas in Korea. The study was focused on the necessary information for enhancing the works of the community health practitioners and that required for health promotion and maintenance within the community. The data were obtained by a questionnaire survey from 458 community health practitioners who participated in computer related education from June 25th to September 26th, 2001. Only 288 (62.9%) of 458 responses were selected for evaluation due to incomplete returns. The majority(76.8%) of participants was using computer once a day at the healthcare centers and the duration of computer usage was more than one year in most cases. The primary usage of computer was for making documents, sending and receiving e-mails, and searching information on the internet. On the contrary, other skills and functions as data management, statistics, web development, games, program development, e-business, and searching for books and articles were not as readily utilized. The essential information for enhancing the performance of the community health practitioners appeared to be that related to drugs and diseases primarily. Other items for respondents in the decreasing order of importance were minimizing manual paper-works, computerized business, computer education, and media development and materials for health education, respectively. The overall information need of respondents was the highest on health and disease, and that on others such as health education, health promotion, elderly care, and fitness exercises were high also. In summary, the community health practitioners should have applicable information system to enhance their performance by obtaining necessary health maintenance and promotion information; by networking available resources; and by enabling them to adapt to rapidly changing policies and work environment. The outcome of this study may provide information elements necessary in development of Health Information Systems for community health practitioners.
Aged ; Commerce ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education ; Electronic Mail ; Exercise ; Health Education ; Health Information Systems ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Information Systems ; Internet ; Korea ; Primary Health Care ; Program Development

This study was conducted to develop and evaluate guidelines for cancer patients' symptoms management such as nausea/vomiting, fatigue, constipation, diarrhea, and oral mucositis. Based on the literature review, assessment path to identify each stage of five symptoms were also developed. Guidelines for symptom management of each stage of the symptoms were developed. Guidelines then were evaluated by a panel of experts. Finally, 95 cancer patients were recruited and asked to use the guidelines for their symptom management Levels of understanding of and satisfaction with assessment path and management guidelines were surveyed. Prevalence rate of five symptoms varied ranging from 20% (diarrhea) to 47% (nausea/vomiting). Regarding the level of understanding of each symptom most of the cancer patients indicated that they were easy and sufficient. Regarding the easiness of use of the symptom management guidelines, most of cancer patients indicated that they were easy to use. Regarding the nursing intervention on each symptom, most of cancer patients indicated that they were easy and helpful. More information was added with feedback from the patients. The result of this study has implications on development of customized patient education materials based on assessment path and symptom management guidelines.
Constipation ; Diarrhea ; Fatigue ; Humans ; Nursing ; Patient Education as Topic ; Prevalence ; Stomatitis

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to develop Internet health information evaluation checklist for medical professionals, web coordinators or managers, and general health information consumers. METHODS: Based on the literature review, evaluation model and prototype of evaluation checklist for Internet health information were developed. Expert group of Internet quality evaluation reviewed and refined original evaluation checklist through intensive focus group meetings. Revised web-based evaluation checklist for Internet health information was verified by medical professionals, web health information managers, and online members of National Health Insurance Corporation. RESULTS: The checklist for medical professionals consisted of 28 items to check 3 categories such as disease information, operation/procedure/examination information, and health/life pattern information. The checklist for health information managers focused on primary filtering of health information and consisted of 14 items. This can be utilized for automatic selection of health information in portal systems. The checklist for consumers consisted of 10 items and focused on convenience and utility of the evaluation tool for enhancing the acceptability. CONCLUSION: Continuous development and revision of health information evaluation checklist like this study can be useful way for improving Internet health information quality.
Checklist* ; Focus Groups ; Internet* ; National Health Programs ; Portal System

BACKGROUND: Early escharectomy has been shown to improve survival rates and treatment outcomes in major burn patients. However, its mechanism, especially in human immune systems, has not been fully elucidated. This observational study, focusing on cytokines, was conducted to assess changes in the levels of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) in major burn patients that underwent early tissue excision. METHODS: Seventeen ASA physical status II or III adults major burn patients, admitted to general surgery for burn wound care, were initially recruited. When early escharectomy was scheduled, a series of blood samples was obtained four times at 72 and 24 hours preop and at 24 and 72 hours postop. Changing levels of TNF alpha and IL-10 were measured by quantitative sandwich immnuoassay. RESULTS: Subjects suffered from 70% TBSA burns. Both cytokines demonstrated a significant tendency to increase in the blood during the study period. Although they temporarily decreased 24 hours after surgery, this effect did not last. CONCLUSIONS: Burn injury certainly increases cytokine response. Early escharectomy appears to decrease the pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines only temporarily. It did not seem to have any long term effect in the human immune system in major burn patients, probably due to the complex nature of the injury.
Adult ; Burns* ; Cytokines* ; Humans ; Immune System ; Interleukin-10 ; Observational Study ; Survival Rate ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Wounds and Injuries