The recent reissuance of the Assisted Dignity Act, brought forward in July 2024, has renewed public discourse surrounding dignity-based end-of-life care. This paper examines the implications of these ongoing social debates by analyzing the legislative terminology used in countries that have implemented such systems. Through an exploration of the values embedded in the names of these laws, the study seeks to elucidate the normative justifications for institutionalization and to derive relevant policy implications.

Purpose: : The purpose of this study was to identify the current status of underweight among elderly Koreans and to identify factors related to underweight among elderly. Methods: : This study is a secondary analysis based on the raw data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for the years 2021. The subjects of the study were 1,723 people in 2021 aged 65 years and older. Analysis method was frequency analysis, complex samples Chi-square test, complex samples logistic regression analysis. Results: : The results showed that the current status of underweight in the elderly in Korea was 3.4%, and the factors influencing underweight in the elderly were age, subjective health recognition, depressed for more than 2 weeks, current smoking, drinking frequency over the past 1 year, and energy level. Conclusion : Underweight in the elderly causes negative health problems, so it is necessary to identify the cause of underweight in each individual and apply an individual management program to manage it. In addition, it is necessary to participate in the relevant program and receive psychological counseling to manage the individual’s subjective health recognition, depression, and drinking/smoking, and a program for a lively life should be developed and applied to always have energy.

Purpose: : This study aimed to compare the effect of violence experience during clinical practice, clinical practice stress, and academic self-efficacy on career identity among nursing students. Methods: : A total of 216 nursing students participated in an online survey from April 9 to 17, 2025.Participants were categorized into two groups, those who had experienced violence during clinical practice (n = 91) and those who had not (n = 125). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, independent t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson’s correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: : In the violence-experienced group, career identity was positively correlated with academic self-efficacy (r=.47, p<.001) and negatively with clinical practice stress (r=-.29, p=.004). In the non-experienced group, career identity also showed significant correlations with clinical practice stress(r=-.28, p=.001) and academic self-efficacy (r=.27, p=.002). The regression model for the experienced group was significant (F=15.74, p<.001) with an explanatory power of 32.9%. Major predictors included being ‘very satisfied’ with clinical practice(β=.36, p<.001), academic self-efficacy(β =.35, p<.001), and being ‘satisfied’(β=.31, p=.001). In the non-experienced group, the regression model was also significant(F=8.74, p<.001), explaining 15.8% of the variance. The Main predictors were major satisfaction and clinical practice stress(β=-.20, p=.020). Conclusion : To enhance career identity in nursing students, it is necessary to improve academic self-efficacy, reduce clinical practice stress, and increase satisfaction with clinical training.

Purpose: : This study aimed to develop and validate the Korean Handoff Protocol for Clinical Ward Nurses (K-IBSAR) to standardize nursing handoff practices and improve the quality of care. Current handoff methods in Korean hospitals often lack standardization, leading to communication errors, delayed treatment, and increased nurse stress. Methods: : This methodological study involved a multi-stage approach. First, a comprehensive literature review informed the initial development of handoff items. Next, focus group interviews (n=28) with ward nurses and nurse managers were conducted to understand existing handoff practices and identify improvement needs. A nationwide online survey (n=542) was then administered to assess the importance and performance of preliminary handoff items. Finally, an expert content validity review (n=10) and a pilot test with clinical nurses (n=6) were conducted to refine and validate the K-IBSAR. Results: : The K-IBSAR was developed as a 5-phase protocol: Identify, Background, Situation, Assessment & Action, and Recommendation & Recheck, comprising 20 detailed items. Content Validity Index (CVI) averaged 0.99, indicating high expert agreement. The protocol was designed to be adaptable for initial and continuous handoffs, as well as for verbal, partially written, and fully written methods. Conclusion : K-IBSAR offers a standardized, evidence-based approach to nursing handoffs, specifically tailored for the Korean clinical environment. It is expected to enhance patient safety by minimizing information omissions and improving communication continuity. Further research is needed to validate its applicability in specialized nursing units and to establish benchmarks for quality control.

Purpose: : Periodontal conditions in childhood may affect oral health in adulthood. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of gingival bleeding and dental calculus among 12-year-old children in Korea, using data from the 2021-2022 Korean National Children’s Oral Health Survey. Methods: : Data were collected from 18,671 12-year-old students. Gingival bleeding was assessed using a CPI probe, and dental calculus was evaluated through visual and tactile examination. Complex samples chi-square tests and complex samples multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to examine the prevalence and associated factors of gingival bleeding and dental calculus. Results: : The prevalence of gingival bleeding and dental calculus was 26.2% and 24.1%, respectively.Common factors associated with an increased risk of both conditions included gender (female: aOR = 0.88 for gingival bleeding and 0.83 for dental calculus), oral health perception (poor: aOR = 1.63 and 1.19, respectively), dental care utilization (no dental visit in the past year: aOR = 1.25 and 1.27, respectively), oral hygiene product use (not using a floss picks: aOR = 1.39 and 1.59, respectively), and frequent consumption of cariogenic snacks (≥2 times per day: aOR = 0.83 and 0.89, respectively). Conclusion : These findings highlight the need for early preventive strategies, including oral hygiene education, increased access to dental services, and promotion of healthy oral health behaviors starting in childhood.

Purpose: : This study aimed to identify the factors associated with intention to stay among male nurses in South Korea. Methods: : A cross-sectional design was employed. A total of 150 male nurses working at 15 hospitals located in D city and K province participated in the study. Data were collected using structured self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS Statistics 25.0, including descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA with Scheffé post hoc tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: : Significant differences in intention to stay were found according to length of clinical experience (F=3.25, p=.042), hospital classification (F=15.34, p<.001), turnover experience (t=2.59,p=.012), work unit (F=6.03, p<.001), work type (t=2.44, p=.016), and pay satisfaction (t=2.41, p=.017).The factors significantly associated with intention to stay were work unit (β=–.35), hospital classification (β=–.26), and nursing professionalism (β=.24), which together explained 24.7% of the variance. Conclusion : To improve the retention of male nurses—particularly those working in general wards and general hospitals—organizational efforts should focus on enhancing the work environment and promoting nursing professionalism.

Purpose: : This study aimed to examine the effects of team-based learning (TBL) supported by learning agility-based team allocation on nursing freshmen’s perceived learning agility, school support, academic engagement, and satisfaction with team-based learning. Methods: : Participants were 61 first-year nursing students in South Korea. Students were divided into two groups: one group was allocated into teams with homogeneous levels of learning agility (equaldistribution group), while the other group was randomly assigned (random-assignment group). Data were collected using structured questionnaires. Analysis was conducted using SPSS 21.0 with descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, chi-square tests, and ANCOVA. Results: : The equal-distribution group showed significantly higher improvements in the subfactor of behavioral change in learning agility, perceived school support, academic engagement, and satisfaction with team-based learning compared to the random-assignment group. However, overall learning agility did not differ significantly between groups. Conclusion : Allocating students into teams based on their learning agility levels can enhance the effectiveness of TBL by promoting behavioral change, perceived support, engagement, and satisfaction. Strategic team composition that considers learner characteristics should be implemented to maximize educational outcomes in nursing education.

: Perception of errors, an individual’s attitude toward errors, and self-efficacy on clinical performance, the belief in one’s ability to perform clinical tasks, are crucial for medical education. However, the relationship between these constructs, particularly their sub-dimensions, remains underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between medical students’ perception of errors sub-factors and their self-efficacy on clinical performance across its domains. Methods : A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 169 third and fourth-year medical students in Korea. The Error Orientation Questionnaire (EOQ) measured four sub-factors of perception of errors. Self-efficacy on clinical performance was assessed across knowledge, skill, and attitude domains. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, Pearson correlations, and stepwise multiple regression. Results : No significant gender differences were found in perception of errors or self-efficacy scores. Constructive perception of errors sub-factors correlated significantly with all self-efficacy domains. ‘Error strain’ positively correlated with knowledge and skill, but not with attitude. Stepwise regression revealed ‘Learning from errors’ as the strongest positive predictor for overall self-efficacy and all three domains. ‘Error strain’ also emerged as a significant positive predictor for overall, knowledge, and skill self-efficacy subdomains. Conclusion : Medical students’ perception of errors, particularly viewing errors as learning opportunities, significantly predicts their self-efficacy on clinical performance. The unexpected positive predictive role of ‘Error strain’ indicates a complex relationship that warrants further investigation. These findings suggest that medical education should focus on cultivating a positive perception of errors by creating environments where students can constructively learn from mistakes rather than avoiding them.

Purpose: : With the rapid growth of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), big data, robotic surgery, and telemedicine are transforming healthcare. Understanding how medical students, as future healthcare providers, and non-medical students, as future patients, perceive these changes is essential. This study compares their awareness, interest, and perceptions of AI-driven healthcare and future medical technologies. Methods: : A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 167 students (68 non-medical students, 99 medical students) from diverse academic backgrounds. The questionnaire assessed awareness of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies, perceptions of AI’s impact on healthcare, and expectations regarding future medical technologies. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests and descriptive statistics. Results: : Differences were found in the awareness of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies depending on whether participants were medical students, while no significant differences were observed in their levels of interest. Non-medical students showed lower concern about data privacy breaches related to AI in healthcare. Regarding the perceived impact of future medical technologies on patients, non-medical students expected a greater reduction in misdiagnosis rates, whereas medical students were more concerned about the risk of personal data exposure. Lastly, non-medical students were more positive about the potential for faster diagnoses for physicians. Conclusion : The findings highlight differences in awareness and attitudes between medical and non-medical students. Tailored education and policies are needed to improve technology acceptance and ethical considerations in healthcare.

Purpose: : This study investigated the level of dignity care provided to terminally ill patients by general hospital nurses and examined how compassion competence and death perception influence dignity care. Methods: : A total of 233 nurses with at least six months of clinical experience, including experience caring for terminally ill patients, participated in this cross-sectional survey. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-tests, ANOVA, Duncan tests, Pearson’s correlation coefficients, and stepwise multiple regression analysis. Results: : The mean score for dignity care was 2.84 ± 0.52, compassion competence was 3.74 ± 0.49, positive perception toward death was 4.64 ± 0.70, and negative perception toward death was 4.30 ± 0.77. Dignity care differed significantly by age, total clinical experience, end-of-life/hospice/dignity nursing education experience, and the perceived need for dignity care education (all p<.05). Dignity care showed a significant positive correlation with compassion competence (r= .66, p<.001) and a significant negative correlation with negative perception toward death (r= -.17, p= .010). Stepwise multiple regression identified compassion competence (β= .60, p<.001), end-of-life/hospice/dignity nursing education experience (β= .19, p<.001), and the need for dignity care education (β= .14, p=.004) as significant predictors, explaining 50% of the variance in dignity care (F= 77.95, p<.001). Conclusion : These findings suggest that enhancing compassion competence and providing targeted education may improve dignity care for terminally ill patients. Further research should develop and evaluate practical educational interventions, implement training to strengthen compassion competence, and conduct qualitative studies to explore the complex factors affecting dignity care.