PURPOSE: This study was conducted to investigate how home-based hospice care is provided in Korea. METHODS: From July 2011 through August 2011, 29 hospice facilities that provide home-based hospice care were surveyed using a questionnaire. Items included in the questionnaire were general characteristics of the organization, staff members, service programs, difficulties. RESULTS: Among the surveyed, hospice care was hospital-based for 11 (37.9%) facilities, hospital-independent center-based care for four (13.8%) and home-based care only for 10 (34.5%). Near half the participants were located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. Caregivers included nurses for 62.1% of the participants, volunteers 62.0%, pastors 44.8%, social workers 37.9%, coordinators 31.0% and doctors 31.0%. The facilities offered service programs such as family counseling (96.6%), transfer to other facilities (93.1%), psychological support (89.7%), bereavement support (86.2%), dying care (79.3%), clinical care (75.9%) and spiritual support (75.9%). The major obstacles were financial issues (24.1%), lack of trained staff (20.7%) and staff members' lack of awareness of home-based hospice care (13.8%). CONCLUSION: In Korea, home-based hospice care is provided by an insufficient number of facilities. Moreover, the service providers are experiencing difficulties such as lack of trained staff, insufficient financial resource and staff's lack of awareness of home-based hospice care. It is necessary to increase the number of home-based hospice care facilities with consideration of even distribution across regions and standard staffing and service programs and develop related insurance policies.
Bereavement ; Caregivers ; Counseling ; Health Services ; Home Care Services ; Hospice Care ; Hospices ; Humans ; Insurance ; Korea ; Social Workers ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Background: Aging societies face social problems of increased medical expenses for older adults due to increased geriatric diseases.This study aims to analyze the relationship between the state change of multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and out-of-pocket medical expenses in the elderly aged 60 or older. Methods: The 2014–2018 Korean Longitudinal Study of Aging data were used for 2,202 elderly people. Four status change groups were established according to the change in the number of chronic diseases. The association between the change of MCC and the out-of-pocket medical cost was analyzed using the generalized estimating equation model analysis. Results: The average out-of-pocket total medical costs were 1,384,900 won for participants with MCC and 542,700 won for those without MCC, which was a statistically significant difference (p<0.0001). Compared to the reference group (simple chronic disease, SCD→SCD), the change in multiple chronic conditions significantly increased the total out-of-pocket medical expenses in MCC→MCC and SCD→MCC groups (MCC→MCC: β=0.8260, β<0.0001; SCD→MCC: β=0.6607, β<0.0001). Conclusion In this study, it was confirmed that the prevalence of MCC increased with age, and the out-of-pocket medical cost increased in the case of MCC. Continuity of treatment can be achieved for patients with MCC, and the system and management of treatment for MCC are required to receive appropriate treatment.

Purpose: This study aimed to explore nurses’ experience in caring for COVID-19 patients. Methods: A total of 10 nurses working in a COVID-19 ward of a public hospital in South Korea were recruited using purposeful sampling. Individual telephone interviews were conducted and then transcribed verbatim. Data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Results: Two categories of nurses’ experience in caring for COVID-19 patients emerged; “unstable psychological status” and “adaptation and self-esteem”. “Shortage of staff due to the increase in infected people”, “poor environment due to the urgent construction of a COVID-19 ward”, “unstable operating system”, and “excessive demands and verbal abuse from patients” were “obstacles”, while “cooperation and consideration between colleagues” and “interest and support from the manager” were found to be “sources to boost morale” for nurses in caring for COVID-19 patients. Conclusion This study can be fundamental data for a deeper understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by frontline nurses caring for COVID-19 patients. It is necessary to provide psychological support for nurses and establish a well-structured nursing care system in order to fight a pandemic such as COVID-19.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the Korea-resident foreigners's adaptability and preference to Korean foods. The survey was carried out among 144 foreigners living in Seoul, Korea (male 57, female 87; from the East 109, from the West 35). Based on the first impression of Korean food, 'spicy', 'strong taste of seasoning', 'salty' were most common. About 90 percent of the foreigners adapted to Korean food in six months. It took more time to adapt to Korean food for Western people, compared to people from the East. Factors that influenced their adaption to Korean food were shown to be 'efforts by myself' and 'from friends'. Foreigners posited positive attitude toward Korean food according to their answers like 'nutritionally great food' and 'food with interesting ways of eating'. Westerners appeared to be more satisfied with Korean food. 'Too strong seasoning taste' and 'too sweet' were pointed out for further improvements. Beef Bulgogi, (Korean) fruit, Beef Ribs, Pork Ribs, and Grilled Pork Belly in order were foreigners' favorite foods, but Soju, Korean Sausage, Sliced Rice Cake Soup, Radish Kimchi and Vegetable Side Dishes were not. Taken together, the adaptability and preference to Korean foods to foreigners were different according to the gender and cultural background. Target marketing strategy of Korean Foods should be considered for foreign customers.
Emigrants and Immigrants ; Female ; Food Preferences ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Marketing ; Raphanus ; Ribs ; Seasons ; Vegetables

A 41-year-old man presented a bean sized, solid, painless left scrotal mass he'd had for 10 years. The mass was well demarcated and it showed homogeneous echogenecity on ultrasonography. Simple mass excision was performed and the specimen revealed a relatively well circumscribed mass lesion composed of dilated tubules with flattened lining cells. A focal infiltration to the seminiferous tubule and involvement of the biopsy margins were observed. The tubules had a positive reaction to the calretinin and anti-mesothelial antibody on immunohistochemical stain. Therefore, the tumor was diagnosed as adenomatoid tumor of the testis. Adenomatoid tumors of testis are rare benign neoplasms that are thought to originate from mesothelum. Most cases were reported in the epididymis, spermatic cord and testicular tunica, and rare cases were from the ejaculatory duct, prostate and adrenal gland. The findings of adenomatoid tumor infiltrating through the testis parenchyme and seminiferous tubule, like for our case, have not been previously reported in Korea.
Adenomatoid Tumor* ; Adrenal Glands ; Adult ; Biopsy ; Calbindin 2 ; Ejaculatory Ducts ; Epididymis ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Prostate ; Seminiferous Tubules* ; Spermatic Cord ; Testis* ; Ultrasonography

Objectives: This study aims to explore consumer awareness and usage patterns of local food in Jecheon city during the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing to the establishment of the Jecheon City Food Plan. Methods: Surveys were conducted from July 24 to August 24, 2021, using a combination of web-link and self-administered methods for adults living in Jecheon city (n = 250). Descriptive analysis, t-test, importance and satisfaction analysis (ISA) of local food choice attributes were performed using SPSS Statistics. Results: Participants prioritized freshness when purchasing agricultural products. The freshness of Jecheon local food was the selection attribute with the highest consumer satisfaction and could provide purchase motivation. Approximately 73.6% of respondents understood the concept of local food, and 70% were familiar with Jecheon's local food.Notably, 94.8% expressed an intention to purchase but held negative views on selling local food in other areas. The need to increase the supply of local food to vulnerable populations and public school catering was highly recognized. The ISA identified ‘affordable price’, ‘delivery service’, and ‘product information’ as areas requiring improvement. On the other hand, ‘freshness of products’, ‘quality for the price’, and ‘support for local farmers and economy’ were identified as attributes to be maintained and strengthened. Conclusions Consumers in Jecheon city recognized local foods as more than just 'consumer goods’. Our findings suggest the need for further research on local food revitalization and more comprehensive local food planning to enhance consumer satisfaction.

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) is an inflammatory central nervous system disease that is driven by antibodies of the immunoglobulin G1 class.MOGAD has recently been recognized as an autoimmune disease; therefore, little is known about its rehabilitation. Here, we present a case of MOGAD that showed significant recovery after rehabilitation. A 58-year-old woman developed weakness in all extremities, dysarthria, and dysphagia. She visited the neurology department, and early brain and spine magnetic resonance imaging showed multifocal high intensity in the subcortical and periventricular white matter and the cervical cord. The patient's serum tested positive for anti-MOG antibodies. She was diagnosed with MOGAD and received intravenous steroid pulse therapy. After pharmacologic therapy, the patient was transferred to the rehabilitation department. Initially, her Functional Independence Measure (FIM) motor score was 26, allowing her to stand independently for only a few seconds. After 5 weeks of rehabilitation involving physical therapy, occupational therapy, and balance training, her FIM motor score improved to 60. However, 4 months after discharge, the disease relapsed with symptoms of motor weakness in all extremities, and steroid treatment was initiated. On the second admission, her FIM motor score was 42, but after continuous multidisciplinary rehabilitation, it improved to 76. Computerized cognitive therapy improved her cognitive function, from a Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination score of 23 on the first admission to 30 on final discharge. Since MOGAD is a relapsing disease, a favorable outcome can be achieved with continuous monitoring and multidisciplinary, symptom-specific rehabilitation.

This study shares details on the operating process and results of the cohort of students and graduates that was designed and implemented at Konyang University College of Medicine in Daejeon and discusses future directions for cohort establishment and improvement. First, Konyang University College of Medicine established the necessity and defined the purpose of cohort design and implementation. A task force was formed to establish guidelines for analysis targets, procedures, reports, and data management, and cohort operation was classified as a quality control activity. Data were collected through surveys of current students and graduates, and data generated during the curriculum were collected, analyzed, and reported every 2 years. The cohort data collection and analysis methods are designed by the Department of Medical Education, and data collection is carried out by the administrative team and each committee. Data management and analysis are handled by the Center for Medical Education Support, and analysis and reporting are conducted by the Department of Medical Education. Various members of the medical school are working to collect and analyze data, report findings, provide feedback, and improve. In the future, we plan to advance database computerization and work toward more effective data analysis. Cohort operation should not be another burden for medical schools; instead, it is hoped that operating cohorts will be a meaningful activity to increase the effectiveness of medical education and help in the operation and policy decisions of medical schools.

BACKGROUND: Pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) is a life-threatening disease with high mortality. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of surgical embolectomy and to clarify the sustained long-term effects of surgery by comparing preoperative, postoperative, and long-term follow-up echocardiography outcomes. Of 22 survivors, 21 were followed up for a mean (median) period of 6.8±5.4 years (4.2 years). METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 27 surgical embolectomy cases for massive or submassive acute PTE from 2003 to 2016. Immediate and long-term follow-up outcomes of surgical embolectomy were assessed on the basis of 30-day mortality, long-term mortality, postoperative complications, right ventricular systolic pressure, and tricuspid regurgitation grade. RESULTS: The 30-day and long-term mortality rates were 14.8% (4 of 27) and 4.3% (1 of 23), respectively. Three patients had major postoperative complications, including hypoxic brain damage, acute kidney injury, and endobronchial bleeding, respectively (3.7% each). Right ventricular systolic pressure (median [range], mm Hg) decreased from 62.0 (45.5–78.5) to 31.0 (25.7–37.0, p<0.001). The tricuspid valve regurgitation grade (median [range]) decreased from 1.5 (0.63–2.00) to 0.50 (0.50–1.00, p<0.05). The improvement lasted until the last echocardiographic follow-up. CONCLUSION: Surgical embolectomy revealed favorable mortality and morbidity rates in patients with acute massive or submassive PTE, with sustained long-term improvements in cardiac function.
Acute Kidney Injury ; Blood Pressure ; Cardiopulmonary Bypass ; Echocardiography ; Embolectomy ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hemorrhage ; Humans ; Hypoxia, Brain ; Mortality ; Postoperative Complications ; Pulmonary Embolism ; Retrospective Studies ; Survivors ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency

OBJECTIVES: Dentists and dental hygienists undergo high levels of stress due to various factors and the burnout of health-care personnel is very important in the context of personal and social problems. Therefore, empirical research reflecting the social, cultural, and special circumstances of the medical environment is necessary. Here, we explore the causes and outcomes of burnout in dentists and dental hygienists and present ways to prevent burnout. METHODS: A cross-sectional research design was used to measure burnout of 141 dentists and 61 dental hygienists. A structured questionnaire containing the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) was administered from May to June, 2018. Data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0, descriptive statistics, t-test, Mann-Whitney test, Kruskall-Wallis test, and multiple regression analysis. RESULTS: Each participant's MBI was measured in three aspects (emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment). The MBI scores of dentists with regards to their emotional exhaustion, depersonalization, and personal accomplishment were 24.8%, 34%, and 48.2%, respectively. Alternatively the scores of dental hygienists were 45.9%, 44.3% and 52.5%, respectively, for the same parameters. While the factors affecting the burnout of dentists and dental hygienists were different, it had a negative impact on the professional performance of both. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of this study, Korean dentists and dental hygienists experience high levels of work-related burnouts. This can have adverse impacts on their personal health and that of their patients. Therefore, stress management is necessary in dentists and dental hygienists.
Dental Hygienists ; Dentists ; Depersonalization ; Empirical Research ; Humans ; Research Design ; Social Problems