Purpose: We aimed to review and provide a quality improvement for the document utilized by the relevant Korean government body to verify and evaluate foreign university/college graduates’ eligibility for nursing and qualification to take the Korean nursing licensing examination. Methods: This was a descriptive study. We analyzed the current Korean qualification system for foreign graduates to Korean nursing licensing examination and the same system utilized in some other countries. Then, we created a draft of the reviewed qualification standards document based on the 2 prior analyses and their comparisons, and applied a questionnaire in an open hearing with 5 experts to enhance the draft’s quality. Finally, we presented and discussed the final draft. Results: The reviewed criteria of the qualification standards included confirming whether the foreign graduate’s university has an accreditation provided by its relevant government body, the exclusion of foreign graduates’ provision of several documents previously required, a minimum number of credits (1,000 hours) for their original course, a 3-year minimum enrollment period for their original course, and a mandatory reassessment of the foreign graduates’ university recognition in a 5-year cycle. Conclusion We believe that by creating a review draft that addresses the flaws of the current document utilized to determine the qualification for foreign graduates to take the Korean nursing licensing examination, we have simplified it for a better understanding of the application process. We hope that this draft will contribute to a more objective and equitable qualification process for foreign university nurse graduates in Korea.

PURPOSE: This study was to compare quality of life, sexual function, and depression between a group with sexually active women and the other with sexually inactive women who undertaken mastectomy. METHODS: Participants were 106 breast cancer patients who had spouse and participated in self-help group in Gwangju, Korea. The questionnaires were consisted of Quality of Life Index-Cancer Version (Q.L.I.-C), self-rating depression scale, and Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI). Data were analyzed using the SPSS Win 14.0 K+ for descriptive statistics, t-test, ANCOVA, and MANOVA. RESULTS: There were no homogeneity at age, job, educational years between sexually active vs. inactive groups. In sexually active group, mean age was 46.1, having job 34.5%, bachelor's degree 38.2%, and pre-menopause 79.2%; for the inactive group 49.6, 10.4%, 12.5%, and 52.7% seperately. There were significant differences in quality of life, sexual function, and depression between two groups when four covariates were controlled. The quality of life and sexual function in sexually active group were significantly higher than inactive group(p<0.001). The depression in sexually active group was significantly lower than inactive group(p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study indicates that nurses are needed to counsel and intervene psychosexual approach especially sexually inactive women with breast cancer during the recovery period.
Breast Neoplasms ; Depression ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Mastectomy ; Premenopause ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Self-Help Groups ; Sexual Behavior ; Spouses

PURPOSE: To compare chest radiographic findings of pulmonary tuberculosis in non-AIDS immunocom- promised adult patients with those in immunocompetent patients. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Eighty six patients who had pulmonary tuberculosis were included in the study. Of these, 41 were non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients and 45 were immunocompetent adult patients. Chest radiographs obtained from 86 patients were retrospectively evaluated with regard to the followings ;the anatomic distribution and extent of tuberculous lesions, typical or atypical patterns of radiographic findings. We then compared the results in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients with those in immunocompetent adult patients. RESULTS: The characteristic manifestation of pulmonary tuberculosis was a tendency of pulmonary lesions to localize in the apico-posterior segments of the upper lobe and the superior segment of the lower lobe in both groups but more wide distribution such as the anterior segment and the lingular segment of the upper lobe and the basal segments of the lower lobe was frequently identified in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients, and also bilateral, multisegmental and multilobular extents were common findings. in immunocompetent adult patients, more common findings were in local exudative and productive lesions and several cavities in preferential sites. Atypical plain radiographic findings were more common in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients, and which were multiple cavitary lesions, wide extent of bronchogenic spread and tuberculous pneumonia, and .miliary disseminations and mass like lesions. CONCLUSIONS: Pulmonary tuberculosis in non-AIDS immunocompromised adult patients is characterized by frequent bilateral distribution, wide pulmonary extent, and atypical radiographic findings.
Adult* ; Humans ; Pneumonia ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies ; Tuberculosis, Pulmonary*

OBJECTIVES: This study explored the relationship between alcohol consumption and exposure to traumatic events in male firefighters. METHODS: Data was collected from a sample of 584 firefighters at urban fire stations. We surveyed the firefighters using self-administered questionnaires including sociodemographic and job-related characteristics such as the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Life Event Checklist (LEC), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), Korean Occupational Stress Scale-Short Form (KOSS-SF), Impacted Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), Stait Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) and Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). RESULTS: There were significant differences in smoking, traumatic events (LEC), post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms (IES-R), and anxiety (STAI-T) between the two drinking groups (p<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression, smoking (OR=2.084, 95% CI=1.172-3.705), LEC (OR=1.163, 95% CI=1.010-1.339) and IES-R (OR=1.024, 95% CI=1.002-1.046) were significant predictors for AUDIT (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: These results indicate that an appropriate intervention about the exposure to traumatic events should play a useful role in preventing firefighter alcohol problems.
Alcohol Drinking ; Anxiety ; Checklist ; Depression ; Drinking ; Firefighters ; Fires ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic

PURPOSE: To compare, with the use of chest radiographic findings, improvement and complications in newborns treated with exogenous surfactant for hyaline membrane disease(HMD), and an untreated control group. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-six patients with HMD were randomly assigned to a control group (n=18) or surfactant treated group (n=18). As part of an initial evaluation of their pulmonary status, we then performed a retrospective statistical analysis of chest radiographic findings obtained in exogenous surfactant treated and untreated infants within the first 90 minutes of life. Subsequent examinations were performed at less than 24 hours of age. RESULTS: Chest radiograph before treatment showed no significant differences between the two groups, but significant improvement was noted in the surfactant treated group, in contrast to the control group. The most common chest radiographic finding after surfactant administration was uniform (n=15) or disproportionate (n=2) improvement of pulmonary aeration. Patent ductus arteriosus developed in three treated neonates and in four cases in the control group. Air leak occurred in three cases in the treated group and in five cases in the control group. In one treated patient pulmonary hemorrhage developed and intracranial hemorrhage occurred in three treated neonates and in four cases in the control group. Bronchopulmonary dysplasia was developed in 6 cases of treated group and 3 cases of control group. CONCLUSION: A chest radiograph is considered to be helpful in the evaluation of improvement and complications of HMD in infants treated with surfactant.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia ; Ductus Arteriosus, Patent ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hyalin* ; Hyaline Membrane Disease* ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Intracranial Hemorrhages ; Membranes ; Radiography, Thoracic ; Retrospective Studies

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was done to identify the nursing care needs of patients in the recovery room. METHOD: The subjects in this study were 127 patients in a recovery room between 6/9/2001 and 24/9/2001. The instrument used for this study was the descriptive questionnaire developed by Shin Hyun-Jin (1999). The data was analysed by frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, and factor analysis using the SPSS program. RESULT: 1) Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin sample appropriateness was 0.799 and Bartlett's test of sphericity significant probability was 0.000. 2) The mean score for nursing care need of patients in the recovery room was 4.17+/-.51 of a total possible score of 5. The score of nursing need for different parameters was as follows: Educational need (4.31+/-.49), physical need (4.27+/-.47), emotional need (4.11+/-.52), environmental need (3.99+/-.56). 3) Differences in the needs for nursing care according to the demographics were significant for gender, marital status, operation experience, and departments consulted. General characteristic variables significantly related to nursing need were as follows: Physical need significantly related to the departments consulted (F=2.23, p=.036). Educational need significantly related to the marital status (F=2.55, P=.012), departments consulted (F=2.30, p=.031). Emotional need significantly related to the marital status (F=2.22, p=.028). Environmental need significantly related to the gender (t=-2.44, p=.016), marital status (F=2.01, p=.046), operation experience (t=-1.99, p=.048). CONCLUSION: Nursing care needs of patients in the recovery room are significantly related to educational need, physical need, emotional need and environmental need. Intervention plans and program need to be developed to improve strategies to meet nursing needs of patients in the recovery room.
Demography ; Humans ; Marital Status ; Nursing Care ; Nursing* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recovery Room*

Ventricular premature complexes (VPCs) are known to be one of the most benign cardiac arrhythmias when they occur in structurally normal hearts. We experienced a 32-year old man who presented with dyspnea, palpitations and very frequent VPCs (31% of the total heart beats). Echocardiography revealed a dilated left ventricle (LV 66 mm at end-diastole and 57 mm at end-systole) and a decreased ejection fraction (34%). Very frequent VPCs had been detected 10 years previously and he underwent a failed radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) procedure at that time. The patient had been treated with heart failure medications including betablockers, ACE inhibitors and spironolactone for the two most recent years. Six months after we eliminated these VPCs with a second RFCA procedure, the heart returned to normal function and size. Long standing and very frequent VPCs could be the cause of left ventricular dysfunction in a subset of patients who suffer with dilated cardiomyopathy, and RFCA should be the choice of therapy for these patients.
Ventricular Premature Complexes/*complications ; Tachycardia, Ventricular/*etiology/therapy ; Male ; Humans ; *Catheter Ablation ; Cardiomyopathies/*etiology/therapy ; Adult

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of an anti-smoking readership training program on the knowledge, attitude and practice in health managers and supervisors in the workplace. METHODS: We surveyed 482 health managers and supervisors in the workplace from April 2005 to September 2005. The questionnaire included whether or not a smoking cessation program was conducted in their workplace. We assessed before and after educations program about knowledge, attitude and practice for smoking cessation. The 10-hour education program included the benefit of quit smoking, the law for smoking restriction, cognitive therapy, stress management, nicotine addiction, replacement therapy, case study about workplace for anti-smoking policy and program. RESULTS: For the change in the mean scores of all items in knowledge, attitude and practice were significantly increased after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Even a short, 10-hour intervention course of anti-smoking leadership training program was effective for improving the knowledge, attitude, practice to quit smoking activity in workplace. Nevertheless, the program effectiveness would be increased by including a re-training course and website support.
Cognitive Therapy ; Education ; Health Promotion ; Jurisprudence ; Leadership* ; Nicotine ; Program Evaluation ; Questionnaires ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Smoking Cessation

PURPOSE: To assess the value of MR imaging in the diagnosis of medial collateral ligament injury of the knee, we used MR imaging to evaluate the characteristic findings in MCL tears and the frequency of associated knee joint injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 26 patients within four weeks of MCL injury, analysed MR findings and correlated them with surgical findings. We evaluated discontinuity, heterogeneous signal intensityof MCL, thin band- like low signal intensity at MCL, facial edema, loss of clear demarcation of adjacent fat andalso combined bone injury, meniscus injury and other ligament injury. RESULTS: Complete MCL tears were present in 14 patients and partial tears in 12. Complete tears showed discontinuity of MCL, fascial edema and loss of clear demarcation from adjacent fat in 11 patients (79%) ; proximal MCL tears are more common than distal tears. Partial tears showed thin band-like low signal intensity within MCL, fascial edema and loss of clear demarcation fromadjacent fat in seven patients (58%) ; all patients with MCL injury showed fascial edema ; in 12 patients there was loss of clear demarcation from adjacent fat. We could not, however, distinguish between complete tears and partial tears when MCL showed heterogeneous high signal intensity. Combined bone injury in MCL tears was found in eight patients (62%) ; the most common sites of this were the lateral femoral condyle and lateral tibial plateau. There was associated injury involving other ligaments(ACL:50%; PCL: 27%). Combined meniscus injury in MCL tearswas present in 17 patients and the most common meniscus site (50%) is the posterior horn of the medial meniscus. CONCLUSION: Complete MCL tears showed discontinuity of MCL and partial tears showed a thin band-like low signal intensity within MCL. All patients with MCL injury showed fascial edema, and loss of clear demarcation fromadjacent fat. Various other injuries combine with MCL tears. MR imaging is therefore useful in the evaluation ofmedial collateral ligament injury and associated knee joint injury.
Animals ; Collateral Ligaments* ; Diagnosis ; Edema ; Horns ; Humans ; Knee Joint* ; Knee* ; Ligaments ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging* ; Menisci, Tibial ; Retrospective Studies

CHARGE syndrome (coloboma, heart defects, atresia choanae, retarded growth and development, genital hypoplasia, and ear abnormalities) is characterized by multiple malformations and is diagnosed using distinct consensus criteria. Mutations in the gene encoding chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) are the major cause of CHARGE syndrome. Clinical features of CHARGE syndrome considerably overlap those of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome. Of these features, immunodeficiency and hypocalcemia are frequently reported in patients with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome but are rarely reported in patients with CHARGE syndrome. In this report, we have described the case of a patient with typical phenotypes of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome but without the proven chromosome microdeletion. Mutation analysis of CHD7 identified a pathogenic mutation (c.2238+1G>A) in this patient. To our knowledge, this is the first case of CHARGE syndrome with immunodeficiency and hypocalcemia in Korea. Our observations suggest that mutation analysis of CHD7 should be performed for patients showing the typical phenotypes of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome but lacking the proven chromosome microdeletion.
CHARGE Syndrome* ; Consensus ; DiGeorge Syndrome ; Ear ; Growth and Development ; Heart ; Humans ; Hypocalcemia* ; Korea ; Nasopharynx ; Phenotype