No abstract available.
Diagnosis* ; Humans ; Thoracic Injuries* ; Thorax* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed*

No abstract available.
Ambulances* ; Emergencies* ; Gangwon-do*

Since cancer is not easily curable, patients who suffer from cancer may have physical, psychological and spiritual problems for the rest of their lives. Especially when cancer patients do not have much to live for and are placing a burden on their family they will experience more suffering emotionally as much as physically. This study was conducted to provide a basis of data for nursing intervention strategies to minimize a cancer patient`s suffering and to understand the relationship between suffering, burden and the meaning of life in cancer patients. The samples were composed of 160 cancer patients who were inpatients or outpatients of two university hospitals and two general hospitals in Seoul. Data collection were carried out from January, 25, 1999 to February, 26, 1999. The data were analyzed using a SAS program for descriptive statistics, pearson correlations, ANOVA, and Duncan tests. The results were as follows; 1. The scores on the two suffering scale ranged from 132 to 40 with a mean of 87.3(SD 17.5). The mean scores on the burden scale is 28.9(SD 6.9) and the score of the meaning of life ranged from 35 to 51 with a mean of 95.6(SD 18.4). 2. There were significant correlations between the amount of suffering and the magnitude of burden (r=.74, p=.00), the suffering and the meaning of life (r=-.59, p=.00) and the burden and meaning of life (r=-.61, p=.00). 3. In the degree of the suffering, the burden and the meaning of life were two very strong factors, the level of the suffering in cancer patients by age (F=2.64, p=.03) and education level (F=4.16, p=.00). The level of the burden in cancer patients differed by education level (F=4.70, p=.00) and type of cancer (F=2.97, p= .03). Also the level of the meaning of life in cancer patients was different by education level (F=3.55, p=.02). In conclusion, the burden and the meaning of life was identified as important variable that is contributed to reduce the suffering of cancer patients.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Nursing ; Outpatients ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic*

Since cancer is not easily curable, patients who suffer from cancer may have physical, psychological and spiritual problems for the rest of their lives. Especially when cancer patients do not have much to live for and are placing a burden on their family they will experience more suffering emotionally as much as physically. This study was conducted to provide a basis of data for nursing intervention strategies to minimize a cancer patient`s suffering and to understand the relationship between suffering, burden and the meaning of life in cancer patients. The samples were composed of 160 cancer patients who were inpatients or outpatients of two university hospitals and two general hospitals in Seoul. Data collection were carried out from January, 25, 1999 to February, 26, 1999. The data were analyzed using a SAS program for descriptive statistics, pearson correlations, ANOVA, and Duncan tests. The results were as follows; 1. The scores on the two suffering scale ranged from 132 to 40 with a mean of 87.3(SD 17.5). The mean scores on the burden scale is 28.9(SD 6.9) and the score of the meaning of life ranged from 35 to 51 with a mean of 95.6(SD 18.4). 2. There were significant correlations between the amount of suffering and the magnitude of burden (r=.74, p=.00), the suffering and the meaning of life (r=-.59, p=.00) and the burden and meaning of life (r=-.61, p=.00). 3. In the degree of the suffering, the burden and the meaning of life were two very strong factors, the level of the suffering in cancer patients by age (F=2.64, p=.03) and education level (F=4.16, p=.00). The level of the burden in cancer patients differed by education level (F=4.70, p=.00) and type of cancer (F=2.97, p= .03). Also the level of the meaning of life in cancer patients was different by education level (F=3.55, p=.02). In conclusion, the burden and the meaning of life was identified as important variable that is contributed to reduce the suffering of cancer patients.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Education ; Hospitals, General ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Inpatients ; Nursing ; Outpatients ; Seoul ; Statistics as Topic*

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept spirituality and to gain understanding of nursing intervention that may improve spiritual well-being. The concept analysis framework developed by Walker and Avant (1995) was used to clarify the concept. In the study, 'Harmonious Interconnectedness', 'Transcendence', 'Integrative Energy' and 'Purpose and Meaning in Life' emerged as the critical attributes of spirituality. The first attribute, 'harmonious Inter- connectedness', has three categories including intrapersonal, (self), interpersonal (others/ nature) and transpersonal (the Supreme Being). The second attribute, 'Transcendence', is defined as the ability to extend one's own self beyond the limits of usual experiences and to achieve new perspectives. This attribute is demonstrated by 'coping with situations', to 'self-healing', and 'transformation'. The third attribute of spirituality is 'Integrative Energy', which integrates all dimensions and acts as a creative and dynamic force that keeps a person growing and changing. 'Integrative Energy is also defined as an inner resource that gives a sense of empowerment. Therefore the highly spiritual person demonstrate 'inner peace', 'growing', 'inner strength,' and 'well-being'. The fourth attribute 'Purpose and Meaning in Life' represents a sense of connectedness with one's inner values and with a greater purpose in life. It is demonstrated by 'hope' and 'a powerful life'. In this study, the antecedents of the spirituality represented as 'spirit' and its potential enablers were 'Introspection/reflection', 'Interconnectedness with all living things', and an 'Awareness of a Higher-Power'. The consequences of this concept may be described as 'physical, psychosocial, and spiritual well-being'. Empirical referents of this are 'purposeful life' 'self-worth' 'hope' 'love' 'service' 'forgiveness' 'trust/belief' 'inner peace' 'self-actualization' 'religious practices' 'transformation' 'inner strength' and 'coping'. In conclusion, spirituality can be defined based on these critical attributes. Spirituality is a dynamic, integrative energy based on a feeling of harmonious interconnection with self, others and a higher power. Through it, one is enabled to transcend and to live with meaning and purpose in life.
Humans ; Nursing ; Power (Psychology) ; Spirituality*

No abstract available.
Disasters*

The use of external fixator is popular in the treatment of open tibial fracture, severe comminuted fracture and segmental fracture, which minimizes further soft tissue injury and provides rigie fixation. The purpose of this study was to determine the complications and effectiveness of external fixation for treating the fractures of tibia. 33 patients with tibial fracture had been treated with external fixator from April 1993 to April 1994 at the orthopaedic department of Kang Dong Catholic General Hospital. We analysed 23 cases(21 patients) which could be followed up more than 12 months. The results were as follows; 1. Average duration with external fixator was 15.1 weeks. 2. Average time of bone union was 22.9 weeks. 3. 6 cases of pin tract infection were developed and they were treated with curettage and drainage, local antibiotics therapy, pin translation, or removal of external fixator. 4. The delayed union were developed in 5 cases, angulation deformity in 1 case, chronic osteomyelitis in 2 cases and soft tissue defect in 1 case. 5. Secondary operations caused by delayed union, valgus deformity, skin defect and bone exposure, were performed in 6 cases. 6. The use of external fixator provided good result in open fracture, intraarticular comminuted fracture, segmental fracture, and multiple injury, but chronic osteomyelitis and articular stiffness were developed in some cases.
Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Congenital Abnormalities ; Curettage ; Drainage ; External Fixators ; Fractures, Comminuted ; Fractures, Open ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Multiple Trauma ; Osteomyelitis ; Skin ; Soft Tissue Injuries ; Tibia ; Tibial Fractures

Objectives: White matter hyperintensities are known to influence dementia in Alzheimer’s disease. Genetic components are suggested as putative risk factors for vascular pathology and cognitive decline. This study aimed to determine whether there is an association between candidate genetic polymorphisms and the severity of white matter hyperintensities in patients with Alzheimer’s disease. Methods: Seventy-five patients diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease underwent genetic tests for specific alleles of apolipoprotein E, angiotensin-converting enzyme, and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase. All patients underwent brain magnetic resonance imaging scans and neuropsychological tests. The severity of white matter hyperintensities was semiquantified using the CREDOS rating scale, and patients were divided into three groups according to their rating. Results:The severity of white matter hyperintensities was related to age and hypertension. However, none of the gene polymorphisms we tested was found to be associated with the severity of white matter hyperintensities. Conclusion:The genetic polymorphisms found in apolipoprotein E, angiotensin-converting enzyme and methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase did not contribute to white matter hyperintensities in Alzheimer’s disease.Only age and hypertension factors were found to be contributory to white matter hyperintensities.
Alzheimer Disease ; Dementia

No abstract available.
Emergencies* ; Humans

No abstract available.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation* ; Emergencies* ; Emergency Service, Hospital*