Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the experiences of patients with glaucoma. Methods: Data were collected from March to April in 2023, through individual in-depth interviews with 10 glaucoma patients. Verbatim transcripts were analyzed using Colaizzi’s phenomenological analysis. Results: Six theme clusters were extracted that described patients’ experiences: 1) The frightening disease unexpectedly discovered; 2) A dismal life gradually trapped in darkness; 3) Fear of the unseen; 4) Following treatment without any other options; 5) Grateful for the help but feeling miserable; 6) Realizing the importance of eyes and health. Conclusion The results of this study provide a deep understanding and insight into the experience of Glaucoma patients. Glaucoma patients experienced physical, mental, and social pain through the disease process. Therefore, psychological nursing interventions are needed to understand and reduce mental pain along with medical treatment to relieve physical symptoms in glaucoma patients. Furthermore, it will be necessary to prepare institutional support measures to minimize various social restrictions.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to systematically review and conduct meta-analysis on factors affecting career preparation behavior of Korean nursing students. Methods: Related articles published in Korean and English were collected based on search terms and converted into a numerical database. Data extraction, quality assessment and analysis including a systematic review and meta-analysis were completed. Results: The review included 27 studies. There were 25 factors influencing career preparation behavior of Korean nursing students. Factors were categorized into four sub-factors: personal, contextual, cognitive-emotional, and goal-related. In the meta-analysis of 27 articles the total effect size (ESr) was .34. The effect sizes of the four sub-factors were .37 for individual factors, .25 for situation factors, .34 for cognitive and emotional factors, and .41 for target factors. The main factors were .53 for career-related efficacy, .43 for self-leadership, and .43 for career decision level. Conclusion Nursing students with high career-related efficacy and self-leadership are more likely to demonstrate career preparation behavior. Based on these results, educational institutions for nursing students must improve students’ self-leadership and career effectiveness through education so that they can set career goals.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand and describe the meaning of the experience of male nurses working in Intensive Care Units (ICU). Methods: Data were collected through in-depth interviews with 8 male nurses. Data were collected from november 2019 to february 2020 and were analyzed using Colaizzi's method, a phenomenological approach. Results: 8 theme clusters, and 28 themes were identified. The 8 clusters were as follows; the feeling of burden in a busy and sensitive situation, the daily life facing life and death, female colleagues and patients who are still difficult to treat, a reliable and grateful male colleague, being proud of this role that a man can do, various experiences that improve me, constant effort to be recognized as a team member, and wavering and weighing in the career. Conclusion These results could help to expand understanding the role of male nurses working in the ICU and in other areas. In addition, the results provide basic data needed to improve mutual respect and relationships between male and female nurses. It is necessary to offer mentoring programs for male nurses to adapt to nursing field.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the preference of transtibial amputees for the total surface bearing (TSB) socket versus the patellar tendon bearing (PTB) socket, to examine the reasons for their preferences and to determine the clinical indications of each socket. METHOD: We investigated fifty five subjects who could walk with the TSB silicon liner socket and had already used the PTB socket with supracondylar suspension. The subjects responded to a questionnaire of the 19 items. RESULTS: 67.3% (37/55) of the subjects preferred the TSB silicon liner socket over the PTB socket. More than 60% of the respondents regarded the wearing, appearance, donning & doffing, weight and noise positively. However, knee flexion, walking on an uneven surface, amount of perspiration, heating and odor were regarded negatively by more than 50% of respondents. When we compared the satisfaction scores of 37 respondents who preferred TSB socket and 18 respondents who did not, the two groups showed significant differences in the level of satisfaction for wearing appearance, walking, pistoning, donning & doffing, adaptation, perspiration, heating, odor, skin disorder, stump pain, tightening feeling, and noise (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The TSB silicon liner socket was preferred by many transtibial amputee patients. TSB silicon liner socket showed positive effects on comfort, donning & doffing and cosmesis. Also it improved prosthetic suspension as a decrease in pistoning compared to the PTB socket with supracondylar suspension. However the TSB silicon liner socket has some problems such as causing excessive perspiration, heating and odor etc.
Amputees ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Heating ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Knee ; Noise ; Odors ; Patellar Ligament ; Silicones ; Skin ; Ursidae ; Walking

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of gait patterns during crossing obstacles of different heights in hemiplegic stroke patients and to compare gait characteristics with those of healthy control subjects. METHOD: Subjects were 13 hemiplegic stroke patients and 9 age-matched healthy adults. Subjects stepped over obstacles with each height of 3, 8 and 13 cm. The three- dimensional gait analysis was performed. Temporospatial, kinematic and kinetic parameters were measured in both lead and trail limb. The pre- and post-obstacle distance, pre- and post-obstacle swing time and toe clearance were also measured. RESULTS: With increase in height of obstacles, ratio of single limb support time, angle of hip, knee flexion in swing phase and hip extensor moment increased in both lead and trail limbs. In the lead limb, post-obstacle distance and toe clearance also increased (p<0.05). Compared with control groups, the angle of knee flexion, hip extensor and hip flexor moment and pre- and post-obstacle distance decreased significantly in the lead limb of hemiplegic patients (p<0.05). In the trail limb of hemiplegic patients, the angle of hip flexion, hip flexor moment and post-obstacle distance decreased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Understanding strategies for adequate control and coordination of the swing limb during crossing obstacles may be the basis for the safe training of obstacle crossing in hemiplegic stroke patients.
Adult ; Extremities ; Gait ; Hip ; Humans ; Knee ; Stroke ; Toes

Background: Patients with hemifacial microsomia may have a difficult airway due to the accompanying mandibular deformity. Fiberoptic bronchoscope-guided intubation is commonly used method for difficult airway management. However, awake fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation has several disadvantages, including difficulty in advancement of the endotracheal tube (ETT) due to the resistance between the ETT and bronchoscope. Wire-guided fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation may help to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional method.Case: An 18-year-old man with hemifacial microsomia was scheduled for double-jaw surgery. In preoperative evaluation, he had severe retrognathia and expected difficult airway. We successfully performed wire-guided fiberoptic nasotracheal intubation combined with high-flow nasal cannula and deep sedation without any complications. Conclusions A guidewire may be useful, in case of difficultly in advancing the ETT or if a smaller tube is required, while performing intubation with FOB in patients with difficult airways.

OBJECTIVE: To assess prosthetic use by upper extremity amputees, and their difficulties with prostheses in activities of daily living and occupations. METHOD: This study is based on a survey of 307 subjects, who were using prostheses manufactured in the Center of Prosthetics and Orthotics. The survey questionnaire included items about general demographic characteristics, side and level of amputation, type of prosthesis and its use, and difficulties in the activities of daily living, employment and driving. RESULTS: The most common type of prosthesis was the cosmetic hand type (80.2%). There were no statistically significant correlations between satisfaction with prosthesis and the amputation level or type of prosthesis. The most common difficulties in daily living activities experienced by amputees were lacing shoes, removing bottle-tops with a bottle opener, and using scissors. Only 7.3% of amputees received rehabilitation services. Less than half of the amputees (44.7%) used their prostheses for eight or more hours a day, and 76.9% used their prostheses for regular or irregular cosmetic purposes. After amputation, most of the respondents (69.0%) became unemployed or changed workplaces. CONCLUSION: In our study, respondents preferred cosmetic usage to functional usage. Only 30.0% of respondents reported satisfaction with their prostheses. Many of the amputees had difficulties in complex tasks and either changed jobs or became unemployed. Clerical workers were the occupation group, which was most likely to return to work. The development of a more functional prosthetic hand and additional rehabilitation services are required.
Activities of Daily Living ; Amputation ; Amputees ; Cosmetics ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Employment ; Hand ; Humans ; Occupations ; Prostheses and Implants ; Return to Work ; Shoes ; Upper Extremity ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate characteristic gait patterns of transfemoral amputees who have been using polycentric knee for a long time. METHOD: Subjects were 22 transfemoral amputees using prosthesis for 29.0 years and 23 age-matched healthy adults. The three-dimensional gait analysis was performed. Temporospatial, kinematic and kinetic parameters were measured. RESULTS: Cadence and walking velocity of amputees decreased (p<0.05). Single support period decreased in amputee limb. There were no significant differences in hip flexion moment and power. In amputated limb, knee flexion in loading response was not observed and ankle plantar flexion was less than sound limb and control group. Excessive compensations of amputee side hip joint were not significant. CONCLUSION: Long term polycentric knee unit transfemoral prosthesis users show asymmetry of gait pattern which can increase the risk of musculoskeletal problems. Epidemiologic investigation would be necessary for prevention and proper management.
Adult ; Amputees ; Animals ; Ankle ; Extremities ; Gait ; Hip ; Hip Joint ; Humans ; Knee ; Prostheses and Implants ; Walking

PURPOSE: The most common method of monitoring cardiac output (CO) is thermodilution using pulmonary artery catheter (PAC), but this method is associated with complications. Impedance cardiography (ICG) is a non-invasive CO monitoring technique. This study compared the accuracy and efficacy of ICG as a non-invasive cardiac function monitoring technique to those of thermodilution and arterial pressure contour. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients undergoing liver transplantation were included. Cardiac index (CI) was measured by thermodilution using PAC, arterial waveform analysis, and ICG simultaneously in each patient. Statistical analysis was performed using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and Bland-Altman analysis to assess the degree of agreement. RESULTS: The difference by thermodilution and ICG was 1.13 L/min/m², and the limits of agreement were −0.93 and 3.20 L/min/m². The difference by thermodilution and arterial pressure contour was 0.62 L/min/m², and the limits of agreement were −1.43 and 2.67 L/min/m². The difference by arterial pressure contour and ICG was 0.50 L/min/m², and the limits of agreement were −1.32 and 2.32 L/min/m². All three percentage errors exceeded the 30% limit of acceptance. Substantial agreement was observed between CI of thermodilution with PAC and ICG at preanhepatic and anhepatic phases, as well as between CI of thermodilution and arterial waveform analysis at preanhepatic phase. Others showed moderate agreement. CONCLUSION: Although neither method was clinically equivalent to thermodilution, ICG showed more substantial correlation with thermodilution method than with arterial waveform analysis. As a non-invasive cardiac function monitor, ICG would likely require further studies in other settings.
Arterial Pressure ; Cardiac Output ; Cardiography, Impedance ; Catheters ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Methods ; Pulmonary Artery ; Thermodilution

PURPOSE: Cardiac changes in end-stage renal disease are the most common causes of death after kidney transplantation (KT). Chronic kidney disease presents a major risk factor for the development and progression of diastolic dysfunction. The purpose of this study was to identify the association between changes in left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and perioperative clinical factors in patients with preserved ejection fraction following KT. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We reviewed 115 patients who underwent KT between January 2011 and December 2015 with both preand post-transplant echocardiograms; patients with LV systolic dysfunction were excluded. LV diastolic function was measured using the ratio of early transmitral flow velocity to early diastolic velocity of the mitral annulus (E/e′). RESULTS: Patients with normal pre-operative LV systolic function (n=97) showed improvement in E/e′ after KT (11.9±4.4 to 10.5±3.8, p=0.023). Additionally, post-KT estimated glomerular filtration ratio was associated with changes in E/e′ (odds ratio, −0.056; 95% confidence interval, −0.014 to −0.007; p=0.026). Among patients with preexisting diastolic dysfunction (20/97 patients), the amount of intraoperative fluid administration was related to E/e′ changes (odds ratio, 0.003; 95% confidence interval, 0.000 to 0.005; p=0.029). CONCLUSION: KT is associated with improved diastolic function. Post-KT renal function was significantly related to changes in LV diastolic function. The amount of intraoperative fluid was a risk factor for worsening diastolic function after KT in patients with preexisting diastolic dysfunction.
Cause of Death ; Filtration ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic ; Kidney Transplantation ; Kidney ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors