Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors influencing nursing professionalism among outpatient nurses. Methods: Data were collected through a self-evaluation survey of 157 nurses from general and tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Importance-Performance Analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores were as follows: importance, 3.29 out of 5; performance, 2.50 out of 4; role conflict, 3.23 out of 5; and nursing professionalism, 3.23 out of 5. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the importance (r=.32, p<.001) and performance (r=.38, p<.001) of nursing activities and professionalism. There were statistically significant negative correlations between role conflict and nursing professionalism (r=-.20, p=.014). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the importance of nursing activities, performance of nursing activities, role conflict, working department, and sex explained 33.0% of outpatient nurses’ professionalism (F=8.66, p<.001). Conclusion The findings indicate educational system about important and highly accomplished tasks would be useful to improve nursing professionalism of outpatient nurses. Furthermore, reducing role conflicts by clearly distinguishing tasks is necessary to increase nursing professionalism.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors influencing nursing professionalism among outpatient nurses. Methods: Data were collected through a self-evaluation survey of 157 nurses from general and tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Importance-Performance Analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores were as follows: importance, 3.29 out of 5; performance, 2.50 out of 4; role conflict, 3.23 out of 5; and nursing professionalism, 3.23 out of 5. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the importance (r=.32, p<.001) and performance (r=.38, p<.001) of nursing activities and professionalism. There were statistically significant negative correlations between role conflict and nursing professionalism (r=-.20, p=.014). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the importance of nursing activities, performance of nursing activities, role conflict, working department, and sex explained 33.0% of outpatient nurses’ professionalism (F=8.66, p<.001). Conclusion The findings indicate educational system about important and highly accomplished tasks would be useful to improve nursing professionalism of outpatient nurses. Furthermore, reducing role conflicts by clearly distinguishing tasks is necessary to increase nursing professionalism.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors influencing nursing professionalism among outpatient nurses. Methods: Data were collected through a self-evaluation survey of 157 nurses from general and tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Importance-Performance Analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores were as follows: importance, 3.29 out of 5; performance, 2.50 out of 4; role conflict, 3.23 out of 5; and nursing professionalism, 3.23 out of 5. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the importance (r=.32, p<.001) and performance (r=.38, p<.001) of nursing activities and professionalism. There were statistically significant negative correlations between role conflict and nursing professionalism (r=-.20, p=.014). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the importance of nursing activities, performance of nursing activities, role conflict, working department, and sex explained 33.0% of outpatient nurses’ professionalism (F=8.66, p<.001). Conclusion The findings indicate educational system about important and highly accomplished tasks would be useful to improve nursing professionalism of outpatient nurses. Furthermore, reducing role conflicts by clearly distinguishing tasks is necessary to increase nursing professionalism.

Purpose: This study aimed to identify factors influencing nursing professionalism among outpatient nurses. Methods: Data were collected through a self-evaluation survey of 157 nurses from general and tertiary hospitals in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, Korea. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Importance-Performance Analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis. Results: The mean scores were as follows: importance, 3.29 out of 5; performance, 2.50 out of 4; role conflict, 3.23 out of 5; and nursing professionalism, 3.23 out of 5. There were statistically significant positive correlations between the importance (r=.32, p<.001) and performance (r=.38, p<.001) of nursing activities and professionalism. There were statistically significant negative correlations between role conflict and nursing professionalism (r=-.20, p=.014). Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the importance of nursing activities, performance of nursing activities, role conflict, working department, and sex explained 33.0% of outpatient nurses’ professionalism (F=8.66, p<.001). Conclusion The findings indicate educational system about important and highly accomplished tasks would be useful to improve nursing professionalism of outpatient nurses. Furthermore, reducing role conflicts by clearly distinguishing tasks is necessary to increase nursing professionalism.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the thyroid cancer occurs in every one of 1000 pregnant women, the optimal timing of surgery is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to propose the timing of surgical management of papillary thyroid cancer in pregnant woman. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of papillary thyroid cancer patients diagnosed during pregnancy in our hospital from May 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2015. We analyzed the changes of radiologic and pathologic findings during prenatal and postpartum period. RESULTS: 17 of 4978 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. 10 of 17 patients enrolled in this study. Each size of thyroid cancer in 1st trimester, in 2nd trimester, in 3rd trimester, and after delivery was 11.30±6.01 mm, 12.74±7.79 mm, 13.82±9.93 mm, and 13.82±8.19 mm, respectively. No patient showed the recurrence or death after surgery. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical significance on the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer during prenatal and postpartum period. The authors propose that the surgical treatment of papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed during pregnancy could be delayed after delivery.
Female ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Although the thyroid cancer occurs in every one of 1000 pregnant women, the optimal timing of surgery is still uncertain. The aim of this study is to propose the timing of surgical management of papillary thyroid cancer in pregnant woman. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The authors reviewed the medical records of papillary thyroid cancer patients diagnosed during pregnancy in our hospital from May 1st, 2013 to April 30th, 2015. We analyzed the changes of radiologic and pathologic findings during prenatal and postpartum period. RESULTS: 17 of 4978 patients were diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. 10 of 17 patients enrolled in this study. Each size of thyroid cancer in 1st trimester, in 2nd trimester, in 3rd trimester, and after delivery was 11.30±6.01 mm, 12.74±7.79 mm, 13.82±9.93 mm, and 13.82±8.19 mm, respectively. No patient showed the recurrence or death after surgery. CONCLUSION: There was no statistical significance on the prognosis of papillary thyroid cancer during prenatal and postpartum period. The authors propose that the surgical treatment of papillary thyroid cancer diagnosed during pregnancy could be delayed after delivery.
Female ; Humans ; Medical Records ; Postpartum Period ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Thyroid Gland* ; Thyroid Neoplasms*

OBJECTIVES: Heavy metals ingested through the consumption of aquatic products can accumulate in the human body over the long-term and cause various health problems. This study aims to present comprehensive data on the amount of heavy metals found in fish and shellfish in Korea using a systematic review of studies that report on that issue. METHODS: The study used the following databases: PubMed, Korean Studies Information Service System, and Research Information Sharing Service. The search terms for PubMed included fish OR shellfish OR seafood AND mercury OR cadmium OR lead OR heavy metal AND Korea. The search terms for Korean Studies Information Service System and Research Information Sharing Service included eoryu sueun, eoryu kadeumyum, eoryu nab, eoryu jung-geumsog, paeryu sueun, paeryu kadeumyum, paeryu nab, paeryu jung-geumsog, eopaeryu sueun, eopaeryu kadeumyum, eopaeryu nab, and eopaeryu jung-geumsog. RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were selected for review. The total mercury, lead, and cadmium concentrations in fish and shellfish reported in each of the articles are summarized, as are the species of fish and shellfish with relatively high concentrations of heavy metals. Total mercury concentrations tended to be higher in predatory fish species, such as sharks, billfishes, and tuna, while lead and cadmium concentrations tended to be higher in shellfish. CONCLUSION: This paper is the first to report a comprehensive summary of the concentrations of heavy metals in fish and shellfish. This data could be used as evidence to protect Koreans from exposure to heavy metals due to the consumption of highly polluted aquatic products.
Cadmium ; Fishes ; Human Body ; Information Dissemination ; Information Services ; Korea ; Metals, Heavy ; Seafood ; Sharks ; Shellfish ; Tuna

BACKGROUND: A positive association between birth weight (BW) and body mass index (BMI) has been shown among children in many populations. The aim of this study was to investigate BMI trajectory according to BW status and the protective effect of breastfeeding on the prevalence of overweight/obesity in children 6 years of age. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted between January 1, 2008 and December 31, 2016 utilizing data from the National Health Information Database of Korea. The 38,049 subjects were followed until the end of 2016, providing that subjects were completely eligible for all health check-ups from birth to 6 years of age. At each check-up period, multiple logistic regressions were used to investigate the association between BW status (low birth weight [LBW], normal birth weight [NBW], high birth weight [HBW]) and growth development. RESULTS: HBW infants were highly likely to be overweight/obese compared to NBW infants (odds ratio [OR], 1.70–2.35) and LBW infants were highly likely to be underweight (OR, 1.69–2.20) through 6 years of age. The risk of overweight/obesity decreased significantly if HBW infants were breast-fed for 6 months (OR, 0.54–0.76). CONCLUSION: HBW status is associated with overweight/obesity during early childhood. Exclusive breastfeeding is a significant protective factor against overweight/obesity in children with HBW.
Birth Weight ; Body Mass Index ; Breast Feeding ; Child ; Cohort Studies ; Humans ; Infant ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Parturition ; Prevalence ; Protective Factors ; Retrospective Studies ; Thinness

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with failed initial Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) and to compare the long-term prognosis of redo-KP with that of liver transplantation (LT) in these patients. Methods: The medical records of patients with biliary atresia (BA) who failed initial KP from 2010 to 2021 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. KP failure was defined as persistent jaundice (total bilirubin concentration, ≥2.0 mg/dL) after KP or the performance of LT. Results: During the study period, 32 patients experienced initial KP failure, with 10 undergoing redo-KP and 22 undergoing LT. Redo-KP was successful in a minority of patients with failed initial KP, but the complications, particularly cholangitis, were more frequent in the redo-KP group. The long-term prognosis of redo-KP compared to LT showed that while some patients benefited from native liver survival after redo-KP, LT remains the more definitive solution for sustained liver function and survival in patients with BA. Conclusion The only factor differing significantly between patients who underwent redo-KP and LT after failed initial KP was complications of cholangitis. Redo-KP was successful in 4 of 10 patients with failed initial KP, suggesting that redo-KP may be a treatment option in patients with BA and failed initial KP.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the characteristics of patients with failed initial Kasai portoenterostomy (KP) and to compare the long-term prognosis of redo-KP with that of liver transplantation (LT) in these patients. Methods: The medical records of patients with biliary atresia (BA) who failed initial KP from 2010 to 2021 at a single center were retrospectively analyzed. KP failure was defined as persistent jaundice (total bilirubin concentration, ≥2.0 mg/dL) after KP or the performance of LT. Results: During the study period, 32 patients experienced initial KP failure, with 10 undergoing redo-KP and 22 undergoing LT. Redo-KP was successful in a minority of patients with failed initial KP, but the complications, particularly cholangitis, were more frequent in the redo-KP group. The long-term prognosis of redo-KP compared to LT showed that while some patients benefited from native liver survival after redo-KP, LT remains the more definitive solution for sustained liver function and survival in patients with BA. Conclusion The only factor differing significantly between patients who underwent redo-KP and LT after failed initial KP was complications of cholangitis. Redo-KP was successful in 4 of 10 patients with failed initial KP, suggesting that redo-KP may be a treatment option in patients with BA and failed initial KP.